Pharmacologic Substance
diuretic
di·u·ret·ic [ dahy-uh-ret-ik ]
Subclass of:
Natriuretic Agents
Etymology:
Greek dia = through + ouresis = urination
An agent increasing the amount of urine.
An agent increasing the amount of urine.
Definitions related to diuretics:
-
A class of agents that increases the production of urine by the kidney. Via various mechanism of actions, diuretics retain water in urine, thus provides a means of forced diuresis.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
A drug that eases the heart's workload and decreases the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body by promoting the excretion of water and salts. Diuretics (also called water pills) are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and some congenital heart defects.Harvard Dictionary of Health TermsHarvard Medical Publishing, 2011
-
A drug that increases the production of urine.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
-
Agents that promote the excretion of urine through their effects on kidney function.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
-
Diuretic, any drug that increases the flow of urine. Diuretics promote the removal from the body of excess water, salts, poisons, and accumulated metabolic products, such as urea. They serve to rid the body of excess fluid (edema) that accumulates in the tissues owing to various disease states....Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
Return to OpenMD Medical Dictionary
> D
This content should not be used in place of medically-reviewed decision support reference material or professional medical advice. Some terms may have alternate or updated definitions not reflected in this set. The definitions on this page should not be considered complete or up to date.