Updated September 02, 2014.

Definition: Diuretic medications are a category of drugs that remove fluid from the body by increasing the rate of urination.

Diuretics work in a variety of ways, but all result in higher urine output. They are used for a many reasons, including the treatment of high blood pressure, to relieve swelling (edema) and to improve kidney function.

Pronunciation: dye-yur-rett-ick

Also Known As: water pills

Common Misspellings: dyuretics, dyuretik, diuretik, diuretiks,

Examples: The patient was given a diuretic to help reduce her blood pressure.