It will cause low potassium to take a diuretic, my doctor let me take only one once when I was in the hospital for a month, my legs and feet were hugh do to the steroids and TPN. You need to ask your doctor first.

Hi Chrissy,

I was so fed up with my fat face and puffy body a few months ago that I did try taking an OTC diuretic. Unfortunately, I didn't notice much results from it. I didn't notice any interaction but you might want to check with your doctor, just to be sure. I have UC, not Crohn's. I feel your pain about the puffiness.....it really sucks! I have been off prednisone for over two months now and I am still looking puffier than normal :( I hope it goes away for the both of us soon!
Steph :)

I hate to have to say this but diurretics will not take the moon face away, it will go away several weeks after you are off the steroids, trust me, I have dealt with it for 23 years now.

Thanks for the replies! I will resign myself to it, then, and not mess around with diuretics. :)

I retained a lot of water when I was on the prednisone and I had to take Lasiks (I think) to take off the water. Of you have a health food store nearby Parsley will also help to take off the water, It is a natural diuretic.

Diuretics if not taken carefully can cause more damage than good. There are three main types of diuretics: (1) thiazides, (2) potassium-sparing, and (3) loop-acting. They each work somewhat differently, but in general, diuretics increase the excretion of sodium and water from the body. They are sometimes known as "water pills". The amount of sodium and water excreted depends on the dosage and how the medication works.

Thiazides increase the excretion of sodium, chloride and water. Thiazides also dilate the blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure.

Potassium-sparing diuretics reduce sodium re-absorption and potassium excretion. These are weaker diuretics and are often used in conjunction with thiaz ides.

Loop diuretics limit sodium re-absorption and cause the largest sodium and water excretion. They also limit the re-absorption of magnesium and calcium which may necessitate taking supplements.


The potential side effects of diuretics include: twitching, spasms, rash, vomiting, diarrhea and cramps. You may feel lightheaded or dizzy. A rare side effect is the development of an arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm).

If you are taking diuretics, you may become dehydrated. Some diuretics cause a loss of potassium. You may be required to take supplements. If you experience a substantial loss of potassium without supplementation, the situation may life threatening.

If you have a tendency to become dehydrated, if you are immobile and cannot get to water easily, or if you have abnormal kidney functioning, you should take diuretics with caution .

If you are a nursing mothers, particularly of newborns your doctor may recommend that you refrain from using diuretics.

You should also be cautious about taking Thiazides if you have gout or are at high risk for developing this condition.

If you are taking Digitalis and your potassium level is low, your doctor may recommend that you refrain from taking a diuretic medication.

You also need to make sure that you are not intaking sodium at high levels.

Coffee, tea and some juices can act as diuretics. They are not effective enough to substitute for medication. Consult with your physician.

As for the OTC I really can't tell you to much because I have never taken them; because, I am firm beleiver that if you require a medication then your doctor is the best one to suggest them.

I will tell you that now that I am dealing with kidney problems and retaining water. (I can't even have an IV of any type due to it) I have taken them before when I was taking prednisone in the past only the advise of my doctor. They are not what caused my Chronic Kidney disease I just happened and they are saying that it is due to my Crohn's.

I wish you the very best and hope that you do gain some releif. I know how you feel.

Thanks, Shoshanna! I haven't taken any and I won't. I'm trying to watch my salt intake and just trying to get used to the fact that I'll be a little swollen for a few months longer.

Watch the salt intake! No chips, cheetos, etc! Any salt you eat will just hold water in your legs, etc. Read labels, too---you would be amazed at how much sodium is in packaged foods.

You could also drink some tea or coffee; they are natural diuretics and won't go to the extremes the pills will.

Try to eat an ultra healthy diet while you are one steroids -- when you go off them, the face puffies will gradually go away. I've been there.

Your welcome Chrissy....just that it is miscoception that water pills will take away the bloating from prednisone without any proble. Firstly yes you have gained water. Secondly if you are prednisone you also put on wieght that isn't water and many people think it is all water.

I wish you the best and hope that you do get through this rough patch quickly.