Your guide to over-the-counter (OTC) diuretics

Key takeaways

• Diuretics can help get rid of excess water and salt in your body to treat bloating, water weight gain, and swelling during the menstrual cycle.
• The most common OTC diuretic is pamabrom (Diurex), which works by increasing urination. It comes in 50-milligram (mg) capsules, which you take with a full glass of water while staying hydrated throughout the day.
• OTC diuretics like Diurex have very few side effects except for turning urine a darker golden color when you take them short term. Prescription diuretics can cause more significant side effects like headaches, dizziness, and dry mouth.

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Overview

Diuretics are medications that help your body get rid of excess water and salt. Diuretics can help you manage different conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, and edema (swelling).

Also known as water pills, diuretics can ease these conditions by helping your body get rid of extra fluid and sodium that builds up due to weakened blood vessels or because some organs, like the heart and the kidneys, aren’t working properly.

There are different types of diuretics, and most are available by prescription. However, some diuretic options are available OTC. These are generally weaker than their prescription counterparts.

OTC diuretics

Diuretics are a type of medication to help treat heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and edema. A healthcare professional usually prescribes diuretics to help treat these conditions.

There are also some OTC diuretics that can help you get rid of excess water and salt, which build up due to bloating, water weight gain, or swelling during menstruation. You might know these as “water pills.”

The most common OTC diuretic is pamabrom (Diurex). It works by increasing the amount that you urinate.

Diurex is weaker than prescription diuretics, which means it doesn’t get rid of as much excess water and salt as prescription diuretics.

Diurex usually comes in 50-mg capsules. Healthcare professionals recommend taking it with a full glass of water and keeping hydrated throughout the day.

Diurex doesn’t have any significant side effects except for turning your pee a darker color, which is expected when taking this medication and isn’t cause for concern. 

Keep in mind that you should only take Diurex as a short-term treatment for bloating. If your symptoms continue, contact a healthcare professional, who can prescribe medications.

There are also natural diuretics, such as:

• Coffee: Some older research finds that coffee with a high caffeine content may have a diuretic effect.
• Green tea: A 2022 research review notes that green tea may have a diuretic effect as strong as a diuretic medication, alongside other health benefits.
• Asparagus: A 2023 literature review notes that asparagus roots may have diuretic properties with no side effects.

Diuretic side effects

OTC diuretics like Diurex have very few side effects, except for turning your urine a darker golden color if you take them short term.

Prescription diuretics can cause more side effects. Check with a healthcare professional before taking either OTC or prescription diuretics, in case you’re allergic to them and to ensure you take them for the right amount of time.

Common side effects of diuretics include:

• headaches and dizziness
• tiredness
• weakness
• allergic reactions
• upset stomach
• gout
• low potassium levels
• low sodium levels
• increased cholesterol and blood sugar

These medications can also cause serious side effects like an irregular heartbeat or kidney failure in some people.

Prescription options

Healthcare professionals can prescribe several diuretic options to help treat conditions like heart failure, high blood pressure, and kidney disease.

Types of prescription diuretics include:

Loop diuretics

Loop diuretics increase the amount of salt and water you pee out. They can help reduce edema or water retention, lower blood pressure, and treat heart failure.

The most common loop diuretics include:

• furosemide (Lasix)
• torsemide (Demadex, SOAANZ)
• bumetanide (Bumex)
• ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)

Potassium-sparing diuretics

Most kinds of diuretics can affect your potassium levels. Potassium-sparing diuretics, however, help increase urination but won’t get rid of potassium. In other words, potassium-sparing diuretics can help lower blood pressure but maintain a person’s blood potassium level.

If potassium levels drop too low, it can lead to irregular heartbeat.

Common potassium-sparing diuretics include:

• amiloride (Midamar)
• spironolactone (Aldactone)
• triamterene (Dyrenium)
• eplerenone (Inspra)

Thiazide diuretics

Thiazide diuretics block the body’s reabsorption of sodium. This helps lower the amount of water and sodium in your body. Thiazide diuretics also help widen blood vessels to let blood flow more easily.

Common thiazide diuretics include:

• chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)
• indapamide (Lozol)
• metolazone (Mykrox)

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Summary

Diuretics are medications that help your body get rid of excess water and sodium. There are both prescription and OTC diuretics.

OTC diuretics aren’t as strong as prescription diuretics. In lower strengths, they help the body get rid of excess salt and water and are used to treat bloating, water weight gain, and swelling during menstruation.

Prescription diuretics help treat conditions like heart failure, high blood pressure, and kidney damage.

OTC diuretics like Diurex don’t cause any significant side effects but can turn your pee a darker golden color when used short term. Prescription diuretics can cause more side effects like headaches, dizziness, and dry mouth.

Whether you’re considering taking OTC or prescription diuretics, talk with a healthcare professional first. They can help you determine the best option to relieve your symptoms and take into account your health history.

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