Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Potassium sparing diuretic
Introduction
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.
Mechanism of action
Mechanism of action
Potassium-sparing diuretics decrease sodium reabsorption at collecting tubules, inducing diuresis; decrease activity of aldosterone at collecting tubules.
Indications
Indications
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.
Side effects
Side effects
On their own this group of drugs may raise potassium levels beyond the normal range, termed hyperkalemia, which risks potentially fatal arrhythmias.
Chemical structure
Chemical structure
Potassium-sparing diuretics do not share any obvious chemical similarities, except for the steroid-structure of the aldosterone antagonists. Those in clinical use include:
External links
External links
- Potassium+Sparing+Diuretics at the US National Library of Medicine Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
References
References
- Block JH, Beale JM. “Organic Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry” 11th edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2004.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.