Those minerals often need to be supplemented. The potassium sparing diuretics cause the body to retain potassium. The combination diuretics take advantage of these off-setting side effects to help maintain a normal potassium level in the body. Diuretics may raise the level of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood but this is rarely clinical problem and does not offset their otherwise beneficial effects. The cholesterol and triglycerides can be treated in the usual fashion.
Diuretics remove fluid from the body by making people urinate more.
This can cause dehydration if too high a dose is taken. Adverse effects on kidney fuction, serum sodium and serum calcium levels may be seen. They can affect sexual potency in men. However, these medications are safe and well tolerated by the vast majority of patients taking them. Any side effect resolves with discontinuation of the medication.