Diuretics for Congenital Heart Defects
What To Think About
Your child may feel more tired or need to urinate more often when he or she starts taking this medicine. These effects typically occur less after a child has taken the medicine for a while. If the increase in urine interferes with your child's sleep or daily activities, ask your doctor to help you plan a schedule for taking the medicine.
Ask your doctor if your child needs to take a potassium supplement or if you need to watch the amount of potassium in your child's food. If your child takes a certain type of diuretic (loop diuretic or thiazide diuretic), your doctor may suggest that your child get extra potassium, because these medicines lower your potassium levels. But if your child takes a potassium-sparing diuretic, your child does not need extra potassium.
Taking medicine
Know how to give your child's medicine safely. For help, see the topic Reference Congenital Heart Defects: Caring for Your Child.
Medicine is one of the many tools your doctor has to treat a health problem. If your child takes medicine as your doctor suggests, it will improve your child's health and may prevent future problems. If your child doesn't take the medicines properly, his or her health (and perhaps life) may be at risk.
There are many reasons why people have trouble taking their medicine. But in most cases, there is something you can do. For suggestions on how to work around common problems, see the topic Reference Taking Medicines as Prescribed.
Checkups
Your child may need regular blood tests while taking diuretics to monitor the levels of chemicals such as potassium in the blood.
Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.
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| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: May 14, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference John Pope, MD - Pediatrics
Reference Larry A. Latson, MD - Pediatric Cardiology |
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