### drug:

Diuretic
* All diuretics work directly or indirectly on the kidney cells.
* Increase the risk of potassium deficiency.
* Many diuretics can cause potassium loss
  - deplete magnesium as well as potassium, as can laxatives and oral contraceptives
* Most diuretics alter renal function, causing an increase in the excretion of fluid
  - cause the kidney to excrete potassium and sodium in the urine flow
  - change the ratio of sodium to potassium in the blood
* Most diuretics increase the amount of calcium lost in urine
  - urine output by blocking reabsorption of sodium and chloride
* Some diuretics are more likely to aggravate or cause impotence
  - cause loss of potassium, calcium, and magnesium
  - remove potassium needed for muscle strength
* act on the kidney to increase the flow of urine
  - to decrease the volume of fluid and thus lower the pressure
* also dilate the blood vessels
  - increase potassium loss, so their combination with licorice is very dangerous
* are a fluid-flushing agent with removes excess fluid in the body
  - group of medications often used to treat high blood pressure
  - agents that promote the excretion of urine
  - an effective symptomatic treatment for acute and chronic heart failure
  - another thing to be careful of in pregnancy
  - associated with attacks of gout
  - contraindicated due to their effect on electrolyte excretion
  - detectable by laboratory analysis of a urine or blood sample
* are drugs of first choice unless contraindication
  - that aid in the elimination of fluid by the kidney
* are drugs that cause the kidneys to excrete excess amounts of water in the form of urine
  - to put out extra salt and water
  - help the body eliminate water and relieve the feeling of bloating
* are generally unhelpful except in reducing concomitant venous dependent edema
  - very safe
  - inexpensive and have shown effective in the treatment of hypertension
* are medications that cause loss of excess water
  - rid the body of extra fluid through increased urine output
  - of benefit when signs of volume overload are present
  - often helpful to people on weight loss programs as fat tissue retains water
* are the only reliable means of controlling fluid retention associated with heart failure
  - opposite of anti-diuretics
  - therapeutic agents that increase the production of urine
* are useful drugs and medicinal agents
  - in treating congestive heart failure and high blood pressure
  - very useful drugs and are very safe when used as prescribed
* basically increase sodium resorption and lithium always follows sodium in the kidney.
* can also cause changes in blood minerals or electrolytes
  - dehydration
  - increase urination
* can be harmful to people with kidney dysfunctions, pregnant women and diabetics
  - important when the weight appears as edema or water gain
* can cause a rash or itchy bumps on exposed areas
  - reflex increase in heart rate, however, which can aggravate cardiac ischemia
  - changes in levels of other salts and substances in the blood
* can cause dehydration and heart problems
  - salt imbalance
  - low potassium levels, and in diabetics, high blood sugar levels
  - salt imbalances and dehydration
  - help reduce the frequency of attacks in some patients
  - increase the creatinine clearance
  - limit cardiac output and affect heat tolerance and sweating
  - produce low potassium, muscle cramps, impotence, etc
  - reduce the formation of uric acid crystals
  - throw off a person's acid-base balance
  - upset the normal fluid and electrolyte balance, causing serious problems
  - work outside the kidney
* cause a decrease in blood volume in a patient
  - an increase in urine formation and elimination
  - our bodies to eliminate more water than they provide
* clean out the system and assist in shedding water and the toxins in the system.
* come in different brands, and doctors prescribe different kinds for different people
  - many types, with different periods of effectiveness
* compensate for the body's tendency to retain excess fluid.
* decrease the volume of blood the heart has to pump.
* decreases circulatory volume.
* deplete the body of potassium and magnesium.
* differ in their effects.
* enhance the efficacy of many other antihypertensive agents.
* force the kidneys to make more urine and to remove excess water and salt from the body.
* given alone or with other medications can cause side effects.
* have a direct effect in lowering filling pressures
  - many bad long term side-effects
  - the ability to take important minerals from the body along with the water
* help eliminate excess water retention
  - in the removal of excess fluid through increased urination
  - reduce fluid buildup and decrease bloating
  - the body eliminate excess salt and water
* help the body excrete excess fluid
  - water and salts by promoting urination
  - to rid itself of extra fluid and sodium
* increase kidney function and thus the elimination of urine and excess fluids.
* increase the amount of urine passed, which causes the body to lose water and salt
  - that is secreted from the body
  - elimination of water, sodium and chloride from the body
  - loss of salt and water through the kidneys
* increase urine output, decreasing blood volume and pressure
  - production and can make an athlete susceptible to dehydration
* lower the body's fluid volume through increasing urination.
* make a person urinate more.
* often wash too much potassium out of the body along with the water.
* produce low potassium levels, muscle cramps and weakness
  - virtually no loss of calories, only loss of vital body fluids
* reduce excess fluid Anti-arrhythmic drugs stabilize the heart rhythm.
* remove fluid from the body by making people urinate more
  - water from the person's body
* stimulate the kidneys and help the body get rid of excess fluid, mainly water and sodium.
* work at different locations within the nephron
  - on the kidneys to remove excess fluid and sodium from the blood
  - to remove excess salts and water from the body in the form of urine
+ Gout, Cause, Medication: Diseases :: Rheumatology
  * Diuretics are associated with attacks of gout. However, a low dose of hydrochlorothiazide does not seem to increase the risk. The immunosuppressive drugs ciclosporin and tacrolimus are also associated with gout. Using Tacrolimus  in combination with hydrochlorothiazide is very likely to cause gout attacks.
  * A 'diuretic' is a chemical substance. Diuretics increase the amount of urine that is secreted from the body. Diuretics are used as a treatment for heart failure, liver cirrhosis, hypertension and certain problems with the kidneys. Diuretics are often abused by people suffering form bulimia nervosa as a way to lose weight.