Types of medicine
What Is a Diuretic? Water Pills
Diuretic · say it: dy-yoo-RET-ikAlso written: water pill, water tablet, diuretics
Short answer
A diuretic is a medicine that helps the kidneys remove extra salt and water from the body, so you pass more urine.
What it means
A diuretic, often called a water pill, makes the kidneys pass more salt and water into the urine. This lowers the amount of fluid in the body. Diuretics are used for high blood pressure, heart failure, fluid build-up (edema) and some kidney and liver conditions. Common types are thiazide, loop and potassium-sparing diuretics.
Labels for diuretics often warn about dehydration, dizziness on standing, and changes in salt levels such as low or high potassium and low sodium. That is why blood tests are often done while taking them. Leaflets also tell you to expect to pass more urine, which is the medicine working.
Diuretics are a type of blood pressure medicine, but not all blood pressure medicines are diuretics. Some other medicines and drinks, like caffeine, also have a mild diuretic effect.
Where you may see it
- Prescription labels and leaflets for blood pressure and heart failure medicines
- Medicine lists in discharge summaries
- Blood test request forms that check 'U&E' or electrolytes
📄 How it looks on a report
Furosemide tablets. Diuretic. May cause increased urination.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not a weight-loss medicine. Any weight change is mainly fluid.
- Passing more urine is expected and is not usually a sign of a problem.
- It does not mean you should drink much less water; ask your doctor what is right for you.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Diuretic”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Diuretic”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Albuterol
A bronchodilator (a medicine that opens the airways) of the beta-2 adrenergic type. The FDA class is not listed, so this description comes from the label's own wording.
- Allopurinol
a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, a prescription medicine that acts on uric acid
- Aspirin
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and a platelet aggregation inhibitor
- Atenolol
a beta-blocker (beta-adrenergic blocker). The label describes it as a beta 1-selective, or cardioselective, blocking agent.
- Carvedilol
A beta-blocker. The FDA lists it as both an alpha-adrenergic blocker and a beta-adrenergic blocker.
- Citalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant medicine
- Dapagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a type of diabetes medicine
- Empagliflozin
a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, a prescription medicine that works on sugar handling in the kidneys
- Enalapril
An angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor
- Escitalopram
a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), a type of antidepressant
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Diuretic” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “diuretic”
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More words: types of medicine
General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.