Diuretics (also called water pills or fluid pills) are medicines that increase the amount of urine you produce. Urination is the body’s way of removing excess salt and water. Not only does this relieve symptoms such as ankle swelling, it also helps to lower blood pressure.
There are several different classes of diuretics, including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, and thiazide diuretics. Each type works in a distinct way and in different parts of the kidney cell (called a nephron).

Drug classes:

• carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
• loop diuretics
• miscellaneous diuretics
• potassium-sparing diuretics
• thiazide diuretics