Download A4Medicine Mobile App
Empower Your RCGP AKT Journey: Master the MCQs with Us! 🚀
Diuretics are a class of medications widely used in clinical practice to manage a variety of conditions, primarily those involving fluid overload and hypertension. By promoting the excretion of sodium and water from the body through the kidneys, diuretics play a crucial role in reducing blood volume, alleviating edema, and lowering blood pressure. They are commonly used in the management of heart failure, chronic kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, and hypertension.
| Class of Diuretic | Mechanism of Action | Examples | Clinical Applications | Side Effects | Clinical Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiazide Diuretics | Inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule | Chlorthalidone, Hydrochlorothiazide, Metolazone, Indapamide | First-line treatment for hypertension, management of mild heart failure and edema, prevention of kidney stones | Hypokalemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia (may precipitate gout) | Often combined with other antihypertensives, monitor serum electrolytes, especially potassium; may require dose adjustment in renal impairment |
| Loop Diuretics | Inhibit the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle | Furosemide, Bumetanide, Torsemide | Treatment of acute and chronic heart failure, severe edema, hypercalcemia, hypertensive emergencies | Hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, ototoxicity (especially at high doses) | Most potent diuretics, essential in heart failure management, close monitoring of electrolytes, especially potassium and magnesium, is necessary |
| Potassium-Sparing Diuretics | Block aldosterone receptors or... |
Try our Free Plan to get the full article.
