Diuretic
A diuretic is a substance that promotes the production of urine. This can be helpful in managing conditions that cause fluid buildup in the body, such as heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and some kidney diseases[1]. Diuretics are often referred to as 'water pills'.
Types of Diuretics
There are three main types of diuretics: loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics. Each type works in a different part of the kidney and has different uses and side effects[2].
Loop Diuretics
Loop diuretics, such as furosemide and bumetanide, act on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidney. They inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and chloride, leading to increased urine production[3].
Thiazide Diuretics
Thiazide diuretics, like hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone, work in the distal convoluted tubule. They inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption, and they are often used for treating high blood pressure[4].
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics
Potassium-sparing diuretics, including spironolactone, eplerenone, and amiloride, act on the collecting ducts and late distal tubule. They inhibit the exchange of sodium for potassium, leading to increased sodium excretion but decreased potassium excretion[5].
Clinical Use
Diuretics are commonly used to treat several conditions such as:
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Edema (fluid retention) from various causes
- Heart failure
- Certain kidney disorders
- Liver disease, such as cirrhosis[6]
Side Effects
Side effects of diuretics can include dehydration, electrolyte imbalance (including low potassium, low sodium, and high calcium levels), gout, and kidney damage if used inappropriately[7].
Summary
Diuretic is a drug that increases the amount of water in the urine, removing excess water from the body; used in treating high blood pressure and fluid retention.
See Also
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- ↑ Ellison, DH, Diuretic therapy and resistance in congestive heart failure, Cardiology, 2001, Vol. 96(Issue: 3-4), pp. 132-43, DOI: 10.1159/000047397, PMID: 11574787,
- ↑ MA, Applied Therapeutics: The Clinical Use of Drugs, Philadelphia:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2009,
- ↑ Brunton, LL, Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, , 2011,
- ↑ Hilal-Dandan, R, Goodman and Gilman's Manual of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, , 2014,
- ↑ , Potassium-Sparing Diuretics, Hypertension, 1980, Vol. 2(Issue: 3), pp. 477-486, DOI: 10.1161/01.HYP.2.3.477, PMID: 6994329,
- ↑ , Diuretic Use in Renal Disease, Nat Rev Nephrol, 2012, Vol. 8(Issue: 2), pp. 100-109, DOI: 10.1038/nrneph.2011.185, PMID: 22009248,
- ↑ , Regulation of Potassium Homeostasis, Clin J Am Soc Nephrol, 2015, Vol. 10(Issue: 6), pp. 1050-1060, DOI: 10.2215/CJN.08580813, PMID: 25376765,
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