Patient was educated on side effects of thiazide diuretics use as follows:
- Thiazide diuretics are weaker diuretics in comparison to the more potent loop diuretics. So, they are not used in advance cases of heart failure and in extreme cases of hypertension. The side effects of thiazide diuretics also are mild.
- Symptoms of hypotension and dehydration, such as dry mouth, feeling dizzy and lightheaded with rapid heart rate can occur secondary to loss of fluid volume.
- Nausea and vomiting, extreme lethargy, muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue secondary to increased sodium loss from the body.
- Palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, muscle weakness, cramping, light-headedness, and fatigue secondary to increase in potassium and magnesium loss from the body.
- Thiazide diuretics can increase the levels of uric acid in the body. The elevated uric acid levels can precipitate attacks of gouts in individuals taking thiazide diuretics.
- Thiazide diuretics can increase sensitivity to sunlight, causing rash and sunburns on exposure to sunlight for prolonged period.
- Thiazide diuretics have the tendency to increase the blood sugar and increase the chances of inducing Type 2 diabetes over a period.
- Thiazide diuretics lead to increased absorption of calcium from the urine and result in high calcium levels in the body. Elevated calcium levels in the blood can upset the stomach and result in nausea and constipation. Hypercalcemia can result in episodes of confusion and fatigue. Grossly elevated calcium levels can even lead to development of kidney stones and flank pain.
