Diuretic-induced oedema

Diuretics are now commonly prescribed for women with so-called idiopathic oedema. Two patients with idiopathic oedema, one of whom was oedematous on diuretics, had the diuretics stopped. In one the oedema became much worse, and in the other oedema developed. However, this oedema disappeared spontaneously in both patients and they have remained free of oedema on no treatment. It is suggested that in some patients treated with diuretics compensatory mechanisms to retain sodium and water may be stronger than the diuretic-effect itself and may lead to perpetuation of unnecessary treatment.