Diuretics are a class of drugs developed to control systemic blood pressure in some patients and to help stimulate the kidneys in heart and lung patients who develop edema.

There are three types of diuretic:

1.  Thiazide diuretics

Commonly used brand names in the United States: Aquatensen (methyclothiazide), Diucardin (hydroflumethiazide), Diulo (metolazone), Diuril (chlorothiazide), Enduron (methyclothiazide), Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydro-chlor (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydro-D (hydrochlorothiazide), HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydromox (quinethazone), Hygroton (chlorthalidone), Metahydrin (trichlormethiazide), Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide), Mykrox (metolazone), Naqua (trichlormethiazide), Naturetin (bendroflumethiazide), Oretic (hydrochlorothiazide), Renese (polythiazide), Saluron (hydroflumethiazide), Thalitone (chlorthalidone), Trichlorex (trichlormethiazide), Zaroxolyn (metolazone)

Commonly used brand names in Canada: Apo-Chlorthalidone (chlorthalidone), Apo-Hydro (hydrochlorothiazide), Diuchlor H (hydrochlorothiazide), Duretic (methyclothiazide), HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide), Hygroton (chlorthalidone), Naturetin (bendroflumethiazide), Neo-Codema (hydrochlorothiazide), Novo-Hydrazide (hydrochlorothiazide), Novo-Thalidone (chlorthalidone), Uridon (chlorthalidone), Urozide (hydrochlorothiazide), Zaroxolyn (metolazone
 

2.  Potasseum-sparing diuretics

Commonly used brand names in the United States: Aldactone (spironolactone), Dyrenium (triamterene), Midamor (amiloride)

Commonly used brand names in Canada: Aldactone (spironolactone), Dyrenium (triamterene), Midamor (amiloride), Novospiroton (spironolactone)
 

3.  Loop-acting diuretics

Commonly used brand names in the United States: Bumex (bumetanide), Demadex (torsemide), Edecrin (ethacrynic acid), Lasix (furosemide), Myrosemide (furosemide)

Commonly used brand names in Canada: Apo-Furosemide (furosemide), Edecrin (ethacrynic acid), Furoside (furosemide), Lasix (furosemide), Lasix Special (furosemide), Novosemide (furosemide), Uritol (furosemide)
 

1.  Thiazide diuretics:   Used to treat high blood pressure by reducing the amount of sodium and water in the body. Thiazides are the only type of diuretic that dilates (widens) the blood vessels, which also helps to lower blood pressure.

2.  Potassium-sparing diuretics:  Used to reduce the amount of water in the body. Unlike the other diuretic medicines, these medicines do not cause your body to lose potassium.

3.  Loop-acting diuretics:  Cause the kidneys to increase the flow of urine. This helps reduce the amount of water in your body and lower your blood pressure

Diuretics may be prescribed in liquid or pill form.

For a complete list of risks and side effects, you will want to chedk the FDA Drug Database.  You will find a link below.

Because there are so many types of diuretics, brand names and generics available, we could only provide an overview here.  Many patients with pulmonary hypertension who have problems with fluid retention are prescribed(furosemide or a combination of furosemide (sold under the names Lasix and Apo-furosemide in North America) and another diuretic from the potasseum-sparing group.  We encourage you to find your medication on the lists provided above and visit the manufacturer's website or the FDA drug database for complete information including risks and benefits, dosing etc.

Info Source:  Texas Heart Institute