What is a common side effect of loop diuretics?

Loop diuretics, such as furosemide, are commonly used to treat conditions like heart failure and hypertension by promoting the excretion of water and electrolytes through the kidneys. One of the primary effects of these medications is that they can lead to dehydration as they cause the body to lose both water and electrolytes rapidly. This is especially significant in patients who may already be at risk for fluid imbalances.

Dehydration can occur if the diuretic is administered without adequate fluid replacement or if the patient does not consume sufficient intake. Therefore, it is essential to monitor fluid status and electrolyte levels in patients receiving loop diuretics to prevent dehydration and its complications.

While hypomagnesemia can occur as a side effect due to increased magnesium loss, and it's also essential to monitor for electrolyte imbalances like hypokalemia due to the potential of loop diuretics to lead to lower potassium levels, these issues do not represent the immediate or most common side effects compared to dehydration. Weight gain is generally not associated with loop diuretics, as their primary function is to decrease fluid volume.