are there bad side effects? please tell me information about them
2007-03-18 18:42:30 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
basically, they make you pee. they are prescribed for people with high blood pressure and heart failure to remove excess fluid. side effects include life-threatening low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances. i strongly suggest that you never use them for weight loss as you could end up in the hospital or dead.
2007-03-18 18:49:24 · answer #1 · answered by dr. JJ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
These medications are called diuretics. There are several of these; the most commonly known one is Lasix. It is not primarily for weight loss. It is most commonly prescribed for congestive heart failure. This is a disease in which the heart does not pump as well as it should so fluid can back up in the feet, ankles, legs and lungs. The medication usually works in the kidneys and helps the body to excrete this excess fluid. One result is that the person can breathe better. He will also lose a little weight because of the fluid loss. They often give it to racehorses so that their lungs don't fill up with fluid as a result of the heightened exertion on the heart during a race. That's where the expression "peeing like a racehorse" comes from.
People who take diuretics for weight loss are only experiencing a temporary weight loss which will last no longer than a day or two. Caffeine in coffee and colas also acts like a diuretic. That's why water is better at quenching your thirst. Your body keeps it longer.
Side effects of diuretics can be muscle cramps due to the loss of potassium that comes with increased diuresis and urination. This can progress to changes in the heart's rhythm and even death. It is never safe to take a diuretic without a doctor's prescription. Hope this is the information you needed. Good night.
2007-03-19 02:05:57 · answer #2 · answered by KIZIAH 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Water pills are used to treat heart and kidney failure and high blood pressure. They are not intended to be used as a weight loss pill, as their effect is temporary.
Most water pills are classified as Loop Diuretics. That means they inhibit sodium and potassium supporters in the portions of the kidneys known as The Loop of Henle. Pure chemistry.
There can be many adverse side effects from using diuretics without a doctors supervision. Low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances are the most common, but pancreatitis, anemia, blood disorders, and other symptoms can occur.
2007-03-19 01:53:18 · answer #3 · answered by IAINTELLEN 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If by "water pills" you mean Lasix...absolutely not. Lasix is a diuretic used in Cardiac related situations and problems. IF IT IS NOT PRESCRIBED TO YOU YOU SHOULD NOT BE TAKING IT! Yes, there could be "bad" side effects. Here's and idea: ask an MD or pharmacist or Poison Control Center, and I'm sure they could give you info on the correct and incorrect use and side effects of such a med.
2007-03-19 01:58:48 · answer #4 · answered by rer348 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are often used to treat water retention and High Blood pressure.
If you don't have water retention problems, any weight loss will come back the next time you drink a glass of water.
2007-03-19 01:47:14 · answer #5 · answered by John L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
side effect kidney failure don't do it unless you have swollen ankles or retain to much water do to having a period ,if you need to loose weight try this
after trying almost everything this worked for me
http://www.applepatchdiet.com/d.cgi/sk24387
2007-03-19 02:50:37 · answer #6 · answered by maria m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋