Which electrolyte imbalance is a common side effect of diuretics?

Diuretics are medications that promote the excretion of water and electrolytes through the kidneys. A common side effect associated with certain types of diuretics, especially loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics, is hypokalemia, which is characterized by low potassium levels in the blood. These medications tend to increase the amount of potassium excreted in urine, leading to a decrease in serum potassium levels.

Monitoring potassium levels is crucial for patients on diuretics, as hypokalemia can lead to significant health issues, including muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and increased risk of digitalis toxicity if the patient is also on digoxin.

While other electrolyte imbalances such as hyponatremia can occur with diuretic use, hypokalemia is the most commonly recognized side effect attributable to the mechanism of action of these medications.