Written by Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP | Reviewed by Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS
Key takeaways:
There can be a few reasons why you might need to pee more often. Taking certain medications may be one of those reasons. In some cases, it may be a desired effect of your medication. But in other cases, it may be an unexpected side effect.
Diuretics, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, and lithium are common medications that make you pee. Calcium channel blockers and some antidepressants may also have this effect.
Check with your healthcare provider if you have concerns about excess urination. If it’s not a desired effect of your medication, your healthcare provider can help you manage your symptoms.
ferlistockphoto/iStock via Getty Images Plus
Urination is a natural function that plays an important role in cleaning the blood and removing toxins from the body. Your fluid intake largely influences how often you need to go. And while certain health conditions can also make you pee more often, medications can be an unsuspecting culprit, too.
Some medications, like diuretics, are supposed to make you pee more. They’re designed to remove excess fluid from the body. But others may increase urination as an unexpected side effect. Below, we cover six medications that can make you pee, why it happens, and more.
Diuretics
Diuretics, sometimes called “water pills”, are the most well-known type of medication to make you pee more. These medications work in the kidneys to remove excess fluids from the body by peeing it out.
Since diuretics have this effect, they can treat certain medical conditions. Removing extra fluid from the body can help with heart failure, high blood pressure, and fluid buildup (edema). Diuretics are often prescribed for these conditions.
There are several types of diuretics. Some examples include:
Loop diuretics such as furosemide (Lasix)
Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone
Potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone (Aldactone) and triamterene (Dyrenium)
Frequent urination is expected from diuretics. But it can still interfere with your quality of life, especially if you have to wake up at night to pee. In this case, taking your dose earlier in the day can help you avoid this interruption to your sleep.
Lithium
Lithium (Lithobid) is an oral medication that treats bipolar disorder. It affects chemicals in the brain that regulate your mood. Lithium also causes your kidneys to get rid of more water, which is why frequent urination is one of its most common side effects.
While taking lithium, it’s important to drink plenty of water. Dehydration (too little water in the body) can cause higher lithium levels, which can be dangerous. If you have concerns about increased urination while taking lithium, check with your healthcare provider. They can help you safely address your symptoms.
SGLT2 inhibitors like Jardiance
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors treat conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease. Examples include Jardiance (empagliflozin), Farxiga (dapagliflozin), and Invokana (canagliflozin).
SGLT2 inhibitors can cause increased urination. That’s because they work in your kidneys to remove glucose (sugar) and sodium in your urine. And as your kidneys get rid of sodium, water usually goes along with it.
Increased urination from SGLT2 inhibitors seems more prominent when first starting treatment. But as your body gets used to the medication, you may notice this side effect subside over time.
SSRIs like Lexapro
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a type of antidepressant. They treat mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Common SSRIs include Lexapro (escitalopram), Zoloft (sertraline), and Prozac (fluoxetine). These medications sometimes make you pee more often.
While it appears to be a less common side effect, there are small studies of men and women experiencing overactive bladder symptoms such as more frequent urination while taking SSRIs. Experts don’t know for sure why this happens in some people.
If you develop overactive bladder symptoms while taking an SSRI, let your healthcare provider know. This is also the case if you already have an overactive bladder and your symptoms worsen after starting an SSRI. They may suggest trying a different antidepressant that’s less likely to cause or worsen these symptoms.
Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) help treat high blood pressure and other heart-related conditions. Medications in this class include amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine ER, and diltiazem (Cardizem). Making you pee more is a known potential side effect of CCBs.
CCBs can cause increased urination because of their effects on the bladder. They can interfere with how your bladder empties, fills, and contracts. If you have benign prostatic hyperplasia, you may be more sensitive to this effect. But keep in mind that anyone taking a CCB medication can experience increased urination.
If these symptoms become bothersome, talk with your provider. They might recommend an alternative medication or a lower dose to see if that helps.
OTC products containing caffeine and pamabrom
Some over-the-counter (OTC) products can make you pee more often. They typically contain either caffeine or pamabrom, which have diuretic effects.
In some cases, increased urination is the intended effect of the product. One example is the Diurex line of OTC diuretics for bloating and water retention from menstruation, which contain caffeine or pamabrom. Pamprin is a combination OTC product that contains pamabrom for menstrual symptoms as well.
Good to know: Be sure to carefully read the OTC label of products you’re thinking of purchasing. If you’re trying to avoid urinating more, it’s a good idea to stay away from products that contain caffeine or pamabrom.
When should you contact your healthcare provider about increased urination from medications?
As mentioned above, increased urination is an expected effect of several medications, including diuretics. In this case, your healthcare provider likely gave you a heads up. But if this effect starts interfering with your daily life, such as waking you up at night, let them know.
In other cases, frequent bathroom trips may be a less common and potentially bothersome side effect. If this becomes an issue, contact your provider. They may be able to give you management tips, adjust your dose, or switch you to a different medication.
There are other medications that can cause increased urination besides those listed above. Reach out to your provider or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about medication side effects.
Keep in mind: Increased urination can raise the risk of becoming dehydrated. Feeling thirsty, muscle cramps, and headache are all symptoms of dehydration. You may be severely dehydrated if you develop a fast heartbeat, heavy breathing, and confusion. This situation may require immediate medical care.
The bottom line
Several medications can make you pee more. Common examples include prescription and OTC diuretics, SGLT2 inhibitors, and lithium. Calcium channel blockers and SSRIs can also cause frequent bathroom trips.
Sometimes, increased urination is an intended effect of the medication. But if you’re having trouble with excess urination, talk to your healthcare provider. They can recommend how to improve your symptoms safely.
References
Albayrak, S., et al. (2015). Assessment of overactive bladder in women antidepressant users. International Urology and Nephrology.
Ansary, T. M., et al. (2019). Diuretic effects of sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and their influence on the Renin-Angiotensin system. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
View All References (7)
expand_more
GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
Leave a Reply