Diuretic Therapy

Overview:

This protocol provides guidelines for managing diuretic therapy in people with liver failure. Diuretics help remove extra fluid from your body, which can build up in conditions like liver cirrhosis. However, using them safely requires regular monitoring to prevent any potential problems.

Instructions while receiving Diuretic Therapy

1. Medication Information:

Purpose: To remove excess fluid from your body and treat high blood pressure

How to Take: Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is usually taken orally with a glass of water.

2. Dosage and Schedule:

Dosage: Follow the prescribed dosage. Do not change the dose without consulting your doctor.

Timing:

• Take your medication at the same time each day to help you remember.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do NOT double the dose.
• This medication results in increased urine output, so avoid taking the medication late in the evening or at night as it can disrupt your sleep.

3. Monitoring:

Weight: Weigh yourself daily at the same time, preferably in the morning after passing the stools, and record your weight. Report any significant changes to your doctor.

Blood tests: Get your electrolytes, kidney function (specifically serum sodium, potassium, calcium, urea and creatinine) tested regularly (preferably weekly).

* Report immediately if serum urea is more than 45 and/ or serum creatinine is more than 1.1

4. Common Symptoms of Electrolyte Imbalance:

Thirst, agitation, restlessness, fits, headache, confusion, tiredness, weakness, skipped / irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, chest pain, or swelling in your legs or abdomen, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, constipation, numbness, tingling, tremors, irritability etc.

5. Side Effects:

Common Side Effects: dizziness, headache, dehydration, and muscle cramps, ringing in the ears

6. Diet and Lifestyle:

Diet (while on LASIX (Furosemide))

Follow a low-salt diet to help manage fluid retention. Maintain a balanced diet, and consider a potassium-rich diet (bananas, oranges, potatoes) unless instructed otherwise by your doctor.

Diet (while on ALDACTONE (Spironolactone))

Maintain a balanced diet. As Aldactone is potassium-sparing, be cautious about excessive potassium intake - avoid potassium supplements or high-potassium foods such as bananas, oranges, or potatoes unless advised by your doctor.

Activity: Engage in regular physical activity as recommended by your doctor. Avoid strenuous activities if you feel dizzy or weak.

7. General instructions

Adequate water intake: Do not limit water intake for the fear of fluid build up or weight gain (unless specified by your doctor) as it can adversely affect your kidney functioning.

Follow-Up:

Schedule and attend all follow-up appointments to monitor your condition and adjust your medication if necessary.

8. When to Seek Help:

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience severe symptoms like drowsiness, decreased urine output, shortness of breath or increased swelling over legs or abdomen.

9. Additional Information:

Storage: Store your medication at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Disclaimer: Some portions of this content may be derived from publicly available sources on the internet.