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Potassium-sparing diuretic
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Potassium-sparing diuretic refers to diuretic drugs that do not promote the secretion of potassium into the urine. They are used as adjunctive therapy, together with other drugs, in the treatment of hypertension and management of congestive heart failure.
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Potassium-sparing diuretics decrease sodium reabsorption at collecting tubules, inducing diuresis; decrease activity of aldosterone at collecting tubules.
Potassium-sparing diuretics are generally used in combination with other diuretic drugs (e.g. loop diuretics) that would otherwise tend to lower the potassium levels to potentially dangerous low levels (hypokalemia). The combination therefore helps maintain a normal reference range for potassium.
On their own this group of drugs may raise potassium levels beyond the normal range, termed hyperkalemia, which risks potentially fatal arrhythmias.
Potassium-sparing diuretics do not share any obvious chemical similarities, except for the steroid-structure of the aldosterone antagonists. Those in clinical use include:
- Block JH, Beale JM. "Organic Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry" 11th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2004.
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| Antiadrenergic agents (including alpha) | centrally acting (Clonidine, Guanfacine, Methyldopa, Moxonidine, Rescinnamine, Reserpine, Rilmenidine) • ganglion-blocking/nicotinic antagonist (Mecamylamine, Trimethaphan) • peripherally acting (Prazosin, Guanethidine, Indoramin, Doxazosin) |
| Vasodilators | Diazoxide • Hydralazine • Minoxidil • Nitroprusside • Phentolamine |
| Other antihypertensives | serotonin antagonist (Ketanserin) • endothelin receptor antagonist (Bosentan, Ambrisentan, Sitaxsentan) |
| Low ceiling diuretics | Thiazide (Bendroflumethiazide, Chlorothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide) • Chlortalidone • Indapamide • Quinethazone • Mersalyl • Metolazone • Theobromine • Cicletanine |
| High ceiling diuretics | Loop diuretic (Bumetanide, Furosemide, Torasemide) |
| Potassium-sparing diuretics | ESC blockers (Amiloride, Triamterene) • aldosterone antagonists (Spironolactone, Eplerenone, Potassium canrenoate, Canrenone) |