The best diuretic pills for adults
Diuretic tablets help the body to better remove water, salts, toxins, reduce high blood pressure. Together with expert Anna Danshina, we have compiled a list of remedies that will help remove excess fluid from the body.

Diuretic drugs are prescribed in complex therapy in the treatment of hypertension, diseases of the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine and urinary systems. They help to remove excess water, salts and toxins from the body, as well as reduce arterial and intracranial pressure.

All diuretics have their indications and contraindications. In order for the drug to be really effective, and the side effects to be minimized, the medicine must be prescribed by a doctor.

All diuretics, except for herbal preparations, are available by prescription. During treatment, it is important for the patient to observe the dosage and strictly follow the schedule for taking the medication. If not taken as directed, diuretics can increase blood viscosity and impair circulation.

Ranking of the top 10 effective and inexpensive diuretic pills for adults according to KP

1. Triampur Composite

Combined diuretic, consists of two diuretic substances. The action starts in an hour and can last up to 10 hours.

Indications for use: is prescribed for edematous syndrome (chronic heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis of the liver, toxicosis in late pregnancy, chronic venous insufficiency), as well as for arterial hypertension.

Противопоказания: 1st trimester of pregnancy and lactation period, chronic renal failure, glomerulonephritis.

2. Furosemide

Diuretic with fast short-term action. It begins to remove fluid from the body within an hour after ingestion, the effect lasts up to 4-6 hours.

Indications for use:

1) For accelerated diuresis in case of chemical poisoning, 

2) Helps to reduce pressure during a hypertensive crisis, when it is necessary to quickly reduce the amount of fluid in the body.

Противопоказания: renal and hepatic insufficiency, pregnancy and lactation, disorders of water and electrolyte metabolism.

3. Torasemide

In its action, the drug is similar to Furosemide, but to a lesser extent reduces the level of potassium in the blood, has a greater diuretic activity and acts for a longer time. Begins to act within the first hour after ingestion and can last up to 8-10 hours. Suitable for long term treatment.

Indications for use: edematous syndrome of various origins (including chronic heart failure, liver and kidney diseases), arterial hypertension.

Противопоказания: pregnancy, dehydration, urinary outflow disorders, acute glomerulonephritis. Use with caution during lactation

4. Spironolactone

A diuretic of prolonged action, does not cause a deficiency of potassium and magnesium in the body. The action of the drug begins 1,5-2 hours after ingestion and lasts up to 24 hours. Helps reduce high blood pressure, and at normal pressure does not affect it. Spironolactone also significantly reduces the risk of sudden cardiac death and death from progression of heart failure.1.

Indications for use: used to relieve edema in chronic heart failure, pregnancy, nephrotic syndrome, liver cirrhosis. It is used in the combined treatment of hypertension of unknown origin (essential hypertension).

Противопоказания: 1st trimester of pregnancy, Addison’s disease, chronic renal failure, anuria, diabetic nephropathy.

5. Diacarb

A drug with weak diuretic activity, more often used in neurological and ophthalmic practice. The action begins within an hour after ingestion and can last up to 24 hours.

Indications for use:

  1. Edema syndrome (mild or moderate severity),
  2. Relief of an acute attack of glaucoma,
  3. Complex therapy for persistent glaucoma,
  4. Preoperative preparation of patients
  5. As adjunctive therapy for epilepsy,
  6. Acute “altitude” disease (the drug reduces the time of acclimatization when climbing to a height),
  7. Liquorodynamic disturbances, intracranial hypertension.

Противопоказания: 1st trimester of pregnancy and during lactation, diabetes mellitus, renal and hepatic insufficiency.

6. Hypothiazide

A diuretic with antihypertensive (lowering blood pressure) action. Activates the excretion of potassium and magnesium from the body. The diuretic effect occurs within 2 hours and lasts up to 12 hours.

Indications: arterial hypertension (as a single drug or in combination with other drugs), diabetes insipidus, glaucoma. Hypothiazid is also prescribed for edema caused by chronic heart failure, nephrotic and premenstrual syndromes, acute glomerulonephritis, chronic renal failure, portal hypertension, or during treatment with corticosteroids.

Противопоказания: severe forms of gout and diabetes mellitus, 1st trimester of pregnancy, breastfeeding period, children under 3 years old.

7. Indapamide

Indapamide helps to quickly remove excess fluid from the body and lower blood pressure. The effect of the drug lasts up to 24 hours.

Indications for use: arterial hypertension (as monotherapy or in combination with other drugs).

Противопоказания: severe violations of the liver and kidneys, pregnancy and lactation, children under 18 years of age.  

8. Lespeflan

The drug of plant origin, has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. It activates the excretion of nitrogenous slags in the urine, increases the volume of urine excreted.

Indications for use: chronic renal failure of various origins (as part of combination therapy).

ContraindicatedI: pregnancy, lactation, childhood.

show more

9. Phytolysin paste

Combined preparation of plant origin – in the composition of medicinal extracts from 9 herbs and 4 essential oils. Available in the form of a paste, which must be diluted in half a glass of water to obtain a suspension. It has a diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effect.

Indications for use: infectious and inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract.

Противопоказания: glomerulonephritis, renal and heart failure, pregnancy and lactation, children under 18 years of age.

show more

10. Kanefron N

Combined preparation of plant origin, has a diuretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial effect. Canephron N can also be prescribed as a means of preventing the formation of urinary stones, as well as after their removal.

Indications for use: used in complex therapy for:

  • chronic infections of the bladder (cystitis) and kidneys (pyelonephritis),
  • non-infectious chronic inflammation of the kidneys (glomerulonephritis, interstitial nephritis).

Противопоказания: individual intolerance, exacerbation of gastric and duodenal ulcers, age up to 12 years.

show more

How to choose diuretic tablets for adults

The choice of a diuretic drug largely depends on what problem needs to be solved. This may be an attack of glaucoma, hypokalemia (lack of potassium in the body), hypertension, cirrhosis of the liver, edema on the background of cardiopulmonary insufficiency, an inflammatory disease of the urinary system. Therefore, only a doctor can prescribe the drug, taking into account the underlying and concomitant diseases, the age and condition of the patient, indications and contraindications for taking the drug.

Popular questions and answers

Why are diuretics prescribed and how to take them correctly, explains neurologist Anna Danshina.

What are diuretic pills for?

– These drugs are used to enhance the formation of urine, remove excess water from the body and eliminate edema, to reduce pressure, to accelerate the elimination of toxins in case of poisoning.

When is the best time to take diuretic tablets?

– There are no strict limits for taking diuretic drugs, however, it is better to take these drugs in the morning, one hour before meals or 2-3 hours after meals.

What is washed out of the body when taking diuretics?

– When using loop (furosemide, lasix) and thiazide (hydrochlorothiazide) diuretics, the content of potassium and magnesium in the blood decreases. As a result, the water-salt balance is disturbed and symptoms such as low blood pressure, tachycardia, severe dry mouth, weakness, lethargy, and nausea are observed.

The increased volume of fluid excreted from the body can lead to a sharp decrease in the level of sodium chloride and calcium. This leads to a violation of the protein, lipid and carbohydrate balance of the body, the work of the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract is disrupted.

Long-term use of potassium-sparing diuretics leads to an increase in the level of calcium and potassium in the blood. And it is also not good for the patient’s body.2.

What are diuretic tablets taken with?

– To prevent micronutrient deficiencies and reduce the risk of side effects when using diuretic drugs (convulsions, heart rhythm disturbances), it is recommended to take Panangin or Asparkam3. The composition of these drugs includes magnesium and potassium ions, compensating for the lack of these substances in the body. The natural rhythm of the heart is restored. Magnesium normalizes the functioning of the nervous system and reduces the risk of seizures. The treatment course with Panangin or Asparkam can last several weeks.

If the pressure is normal, can I stop taking a daily diuretic?

– No, because taking diuretics 1-2 times a week can be harmful to the patient. With such a schedule, the outflow of urine is disturbed, pressure in the kidneys rises, and heart failure may develop.

Sources of:

  1. Spironolactone in the treatment of patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction. Evsyutina Yu.V. Internist, 2014. https://internist.ru/publications/detail/spironolakton-v-lechenii-pacientov-s-serdechnoy-nedostatochnostyu-i-sohranennoy
  2. Hyperkalemia in the practice of a therapist. Simbirtseva A. “InfoMedFarm Dialogue”, 2021. https://imfd.ru/2021/05/24/gipervpraktiketerapevta
  3. Algorithm for the use of diuretics in outpatient practice. Bova A., Tregubov S. Medical Bulletin, 2014 https://www.bsmu.by/page/6/4795/

Leave a Reply