Conditions and symptoms
What Is Anuria? Why Diuretic Labels Mention It
Anuria · say it: an-YOOR-ee-uhAlso written: no urine output, anuric
Short answer
Anuria means the body is making no urine, or almost none. It is a serious sign, usually of kidney failure or a blockage, and needs urgent medical help.
What it means
Anuria means little or no urine is being produced. It usually points to severe kidney failure, very low blood flow to the kidneys (for example from shock or severe dehydration), or a complete blockage of urine flow. Not passing urine for many hours, especially with swelling, confusion or feeling very unwell, needs urgent medical help. Oliguria means passing much less urine than usual; anuria is the most severe end.
Medicine labels list anuria mainly as a contraindication, meaning the medicine should not be used. Diuretics are an example: they work through the kidneys, so they cannot help and may cause harm if the kidneys are making no urine. Labels may also mention it for medicines that build up when the kidneys stop working.
Anuria is different from urinary retention, where urine is made but cannot be passed out of the bladder, often because of prostate enlargement or some medicines. Both are urgent, but the causes and treatments differ.
Where you may see it
- 'Contraindications' sections of diuretic labels ('Contraindicated in patients with anuria')
- Hospital and intensive care notes
- Dialysis unit records
📄 How it looks on a report
Contraindications: anuria; hypersensitivity to this product or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.
🙅 What it does not mean
- Passing less urine on a hot day is not anuria.
- It is not the same as being unable to empty your bladder, although both need prompt care.
- A contraindication on a label does not mean you have anuria; it explains who must not take the medicine.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Anuria”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Acyclovir
An antiviral medicine of the nucleoside analogue type, used against herpesviruses
- Furosemide
A loop diuretic, a type of medicine that helps the body get rid of extra fluid through urine
- Hydrochlorothiazide
A thiazide diuretic, a type of medicine often called a 'water pill'
- Nitrofurantoin
an antibacterial medicine of the nitrofuran type, used for urinary tract infections
- Valacyclovir
an antiviral medicine. The label describes it as a deoxynucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor, and it is the hydrochloride salt of the L-valyl ester of acyclovir.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Anuria” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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