OFFICIAL NAMES: Acetazolamide, amiloride, bendroflumethiazide, benzthiazide, bumetanide, chlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, dichlorphenamide, dorzolamide, ethacrynic acid, flumethiazide, furosemide, glycerin, isosorbide, hydrochlorothiazide (HCT), hydroflumethiazide, mannitol, methyclothiazide, metolazone, polythiazide, quinethazone, spironolactone, torsemide, triamterene, trichlormethiazide

STREET NAMES: Water pills

DRUG CLASSIFICATIONS: Not scheduled

Overview

Diuretics are a class of drugs that increase urine output. In healthcare, they are used to treat conditions that cause edema, or water retention. They are also prescribed for several chronic conditions, including asthma, heart disease, and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Because diuretics cause an overall water weight loss, they are often abused by individuals with eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. They may also be misused (and sometimes abused) by athletes to "make weight" for certain classes of competition (i.e., wrestling).

Diuretic use in sports may also be prompted by the belief that a lower weight will improve athletic performance. However, the side...