Diuretics

What are they?

Diuretics are drugs that change your body's natural balance of fluids and salts (electrolytes), which can lead to dehydration. This loss of water can decrease an athlete's weight, which many athletes prefer. Diuretics may also help athletes pass drug tests by diluting their urine and are sometimes referred to as a "masking" agent.

Risks

Diuretics taken at any dose, even medically recommended doses, predispose athletes to adverse effects such as:

• Dehydration
• Muscle cramps
• Dizziness
• Potassium deficiency
• Drop in blood pressure
• Loss of coordination and balance
• Death