Taking Water Pills? How Much Water Should You Drink to Stay Healthy?

By - Mehrosh Ahmer

Taking water pills or diuretics effectively reduces excess fluid buildup in your body and helps lower your blood pressure.

But you may need to drink more water while taking water pills than usual to ensure you get the hydration you need each day. Before searching further on ‘how much water should I drink while taking water pills,’ read it below.

It is recommended to take at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily on diuretic medications to avoid dehydration. You can drink one glass of water and drink each glass every two hours throughout the day. Depending on humidity, you may need to drink more or less water than the recommended amount. 

Read on to learn how much extra fluid you should drink while taking water pills. And why it’s essential to follow that recommendation closely if you want the best possible results from your treatment plan.

How Much Water Should I Drink While Taking Water Pills?

When you take water pills, also called diuretics (furosemide and potassium-sparing diuretic), your body flushes out more water and salt than usual. This can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, so you must be mindful of how much water you drink. 

The recommended fluid intake depends on the type of medication you’re taking, how much salt is in your diet, activity level, health issues, and age. Depending on the type of water pill you’re taking, you may need to drink more water than usual. 

According to the U.S. survey data, the recommended water intake while taking hydrochlorothiazide is:

This is because some water pills can make you urinate more frequently, which can lead to dehydration and weight loss. It’s also a good idea to stay hydrated for other reasons like proper kidney function and healthy blood pressure levels.

Mayo Clinic recommends drinking 8-10 cups (64-80 ounces) of fluids daily. If you are still concerned about drinking enough water while taking your water pill, discuss your options with your doctor or pharmacist.

Hydrochlorothiazide dosage for water retention

Hydrochlorothiazide dosage for water retention can vary from patient to patient to keep the optimum hydration level of the body. The minimum dosages of hydrochlorothiazide is 12.5 mg. However, your doctor can p[ercribe more according to any pre-existing health condition.

What Are Water Tablets?

Water tablets, also called diuretic supplements, are medications that help your body get rid of extra water. They work by making your kidneys release more sodium into your urine. This causes you passing of urine more often and lose excess water from your body.

What Are the Uses of Water Tablets?

Water pills, also called diuretics, are medications that help your body get rid of excess water. They often treat hypertension, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease. 

However, these medications can cause dehydration through urine output if you don’t drink enough fluids. To avoid this side effect, it’s essential to drink at least two glasses of water for every dose of medication you take. Depending on your health condition, you should wait at least 2 hours before taking a dose before drinking other liquids or eating anything.

Unwanted Side Effects of Water Pills

There are no such severe side effects with water pills. The most common side effect of water pills is dehydration. Water Pills or diuretics make you urinate more, which causes you to lose fluids and electrolytes. 

This can lead to dry mouth, thirst, lightheadedness, and fatigue. However, drinking plenty of water while taking water pills is vital to avoid these symptoms. You should consume 6-8 glasses of water per day. 

There are also some uncommon medical conditions that most people do not face while taking water pills. Those are:

Even if you experience these symptoms, it’s not a good idea to stop taking your diuretic without first talking with your doctor.

How Should I Take My Water Pills?

Depending on the diuretics you’re taking, your doctor may instruct you to take them with food or on an empty stomach.

Be sure to follow the directions on the bottle, and if you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You must take water pills at least 30 minutes before a meal. If you are unsure what to do, consult your physician. Always drink plenty of fluids while taking these medications.

What to Do if I Miss a Dose?

If you miss a dose of water pills, try to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. 

Do not double the doses or take more than 2 doses simultaneously because they can also lead to an overdose of medication and severe dehydration. 

Can I Take Other Medicines While Taking Water Pills or Diuretics?

Yes, you can take most other medicines while taking diuretics. However, there are a few exceptions to drug interactions. Make sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any other medications you’re taking before starting a diuretic. 

For example, some prescription medications like blood pressure drugs may increase the risk of hyponatremia with water pills. If you’re taking certain medications for depression or high blood pressure, you must check with your doctor before combining them with water pills to avoid adverse effects. 

Also, never mix water pills with alcohol or anti-diarrhea medication without talking to your doctor first. Drinking too much alcohol could lead to dangerous electrolyte imbalance, and anti-diarrhea drugs could lower your potassium levels with an upset stomach.

Foods to Avoid With Water Pills

There are a few types of foods you should avoid while taking water pills. These include salty foods, which can make you thirsty and raise sodium levels in the blood. It will help if you avoid sugary drinks, which can cause you to retain water. Drink plenty of water during the day to stay hydrated. 

Eat mostly fruits and vegetables as they help prevent you from retaining water. Avoid eating greasy or spicy foods that may upset your stomach and make it harder for your body to digest food and maintain water intake properly.

In this case, ask your doctor which foods to avoid specifically according to your health condition or if you have a history of heart diseases or kidney failure. 

What Happens if I Don’t Drink Enough Water With Water Pills?

If you don’t drink enough water while taking water pills, you may experience symptoms of dehydration such as 

In severe cases, dehydration can lead to hospitalization. It is crucial to ensure you are drinking enough fluids while on water pills. 

Drinking too much or too little water can be dangerous; the goal is to balance the two. Too much fluid intake will cause side effects like stomach cramps and nausea, while not consuming enough will also lead to a severe lack of fluid levels. Health care providers recommend drinking at least six 8-ounce-sized glasses of water daily.

FAQs

Why has my doctor given me water pills?

Water pills can be prescribed by your doctor to treat mild to moderate cases of high blood pressure, edema, or swelling due to excess water retention in your body. Edema can occur when you have heart, liver, or kidney problems, as well as with certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. 

What are water pills called?

Prescription water pills are medications that increase the amount of water in your body and make you urinate frequently. The most common brand name for water pills is diuretics, but they are also called diuretic agents, osmotic diuretics, or loop diuretics.

Can I drink other fluids with water pills instead of water?

The answer isn’t as simple as you think and depends on various factors. A doctor or pharmacist can provide specific advice based on your situation, but water is usually preferred with diuretics or water pills. If you’re not already doing so, alongside water, increase the number of other fluids in your diet by drinking more fruit juice and milk, especially in hot weather.

Can diabetic patients take diuretics? 

If your doctor has given you water pills, it must be for treating some conditions. Also, he might tell you to take some necessary precautions. However, ensure you take extra care and check your blood sugar levels frequently to see whether it is higher than usual. It is because diuretics can make diabetes worse. 

Final Thought

Hopefully, you have gotten your answers on how much water to drink with water pills. Depending on how frequently you urinate or the severity of your dehydration, you may need to drink more water than usual while taking water pills. Be sure to talk to your doctor about how much water you should drink before relying on the internet.