Why Is Metolazone Used for Water Retention?
One common cause of water retention is
congestive heart failure (CHF). This is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. It does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way that it should. This can lead to symptoms of CHF that include shortness of breath; swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs; and rapid weight gain
(see Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure for more information).
Kidney problems, such as kidney failure (renal failure) can also cause water retention.
Metolazone can help with water retention due to congestive
heart failure or kidney problems by helping the body get rid of the extra fluid. However, the drug does not cure congestive heart failure or kidney failure.
How Does Metolazone Work?
Metolazone is a diuretic, which is commonly referred to as a "water pill." It works by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is then passed out through the urine. By increasing the amount of water removed from the blood, metolazone causes a decrease in blood volume. Because of this effect, as mentioned, the drug can
lower blood pressure and can also help with water retention.
Is Metolazone Used in Children?
Metolazone is not approved for use in children or adolescents, as it has not been adequately studied in these age groups. Talk to your child's healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using the drug in children.
Is Metolazone Used for Off-Label Reasons?
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend metolazone for treating a condition other than those listed in this article. This is called an "
off-label" use. At this time, there are no universally accepted off-label metolazone uses.
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