Articles

Diuretics

Uses for diuretics

The Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure recommends that most people try thiazide diuretics first to treat high blood pressure and heart problems related to high blood pressure.

If diuretics aren't enough to lower your blood pressure, your doctor might recommend adding medications such as calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers or beta blockers to your blood pressure treatment.

In addition, doctors prescribe certain diuretics to prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:

  • Heart failure
  • Liver failure
  • Tissue swelling (edema)
  • Certain kidney disorders, such as kidney stones