Diuretics in the treatment of hypertension

The article was professionally consulted by Pharmacist Nguyen Thi Linh - Faculty of Pharmacy - Vinmec Danang International General Hospital.

Diuretics are a group of drugs commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure. In order to use the drug effectively and safely, you need to pay attention to some information about this group of drugs as follows:

Diuretics are one of a group of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. The mechanism of diuretics in the treatment of hypertension is to act on the kidneys to increase the amount of salt and water excreted from the body through the urinary tract.
Thanks to this, the pressure on the arteries will decrease, bringing the blood pressure level back to a safe threshold. Depending on the case, the doctor may prescribe diuretics alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications.
Diuretics in the treatment of hypertension can be divided into 3 main groups:
1.1. Thiazide diuretics This is a group of diuretics commonly prescribed by doctors in the treatment of high blood pressure because of their moderate and long-lasting sodium-reducing effects, which are less likely to cause an excessive drop in blood pressure. However, the drug can cause hypokalemia due to increased urinary potassium excretion.

1.2. Potassium-sparing diuretics This is a group of diuretics that reduce potassium excretion.
Potassium-sparing diuretics are used with other diuretics such as thiazide diuretics or loop diuretics to keep the required amount of potassium in the body (overcome the disadvantages of diuretics that deplete potassium causes hypokalemia). Do not use (contraindicated) for people with a history of hyperkalemia.
1.3. Loop diuretics Loop diuretics inhibit reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle tubules. The typical drug in this class is furosemide, which is a potent, rapid-acting diuretic with a relatively short duration of action. The effect of the drug begins within 30 - 60 minutes after taking it; Maximum effect is about 1-2 hours and lasts for 4-8 hours.

Using diuretics in the treatment of high blood pressure has some undesirable effects:
Urinating more often: The drug will help remove water, so you have to go to the toilet more after taking the medicine. This is the most common side effect of diuretics. Arrhythmia: You should notify your doctor early for timely intervention and correction. Abnormal changes in the amount of electrolytes in the body: You should have a blood test before and during the use of diuretics in the treatment of hypertension to check potassium and salt levels as well as kidney function. Fatigue, lightheadedness: This will subside as your body gets used to the medicine. The body is dehydrated, often feels thirsty: If you are very thirsty or your mouth is very dry, your urine is dark yellow, and there is constipation, you should see a doctor. Cramps, muscle aches: You should talk to your doctor about this for advice on drug use. Diuretics can increase blood sugar, increase uric acid.

In case you have gout (or have symptoms of gout), diabetes, you need to tell your doctor to choose the right medicine. Some unwanted effects need attention when using the drug such as: urinating more often, fatigue, dizziness, dizziness, headache... will gradually decrease during the course of taking the drug. If these symptoms persist, you should immediately see a doctor for timely treatment. You need to follow the instructions for use of the drug as prescribed by the specialist. Do not increase or decrease the dose on your own. Some drugs have the potential to interact with diuretics such as: digoxin, some antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), immunosuppressive drugs cyclosporine... So when you go to the doctor, you need to see a doctor. Clearly inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking so that your doctor can consider when prescribing to avoid adverse drug interactions.