Update in diuretic therapy: clinical pharmacology. 2011

D Craig Brater
Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA. dbrater@iupui.edu

All diuretics except spironolactone exert their effects from the lumen of the nephron. Thus, to exert an effect, they must reach the urine. Pharmacokinetics (PK) describes this access. Different edematous disorders can affect access to this site of action and therein affect response to a diuretic. In addition, once a diuretic reaches the site of action, a response ensues. The characteristics of this response that can be affected by a patient's clinical condition are described by the pharmacodynamics (PD) of a diuretic. To understand the mechanisms of abnormal response to a diuretic one must dissect its PK and PD in different edematous disorders. For example, in patients with renal insufficiency, the mechanism of poor diuretic response is PK. In contrast, in patients with cirrhosis or in those with congestive heart failure, it is PD. In patients with nephrotic syndrome, both PK and PD are operative. These different mechanisms mandate differences in therapeutic strategy, as explained in this article.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008103 Liver Cirrhosis Liver disease in which the normal microcirculation, the gross vascular anatomy, and the hepatic architecture have been variably destroyed and altered with fibrous septa surrounding regenerated or regenerating parenchymal nodules. Cirrhosis, Liver,Fibrosis, Liver,Hepatic Cirrhosis,Liver Fibrosis,Cirrhosis, Hepatic
D009404 Nephrotic Syndrome A condition characterized by severe PROTEINURIA, greater than 3.5 g/day in an average adult. The substantial loss of protein in the urine results in complications such as HYPOPROTEINEMIA; generalized EDEMA; HYPERTENSION; and HYPERLIPIDEMIAS. Diseases associated with nephrotic syndrome generally cause chronic kidney dysfunction. Childhood Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome,Frequently Relapsing Nephrotic Syndrome,Multi-Drug Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome,Multi Drug Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Nephrotic Syndrome, Steroid-Dependent,Nephrotic Syndrome, Steroid-Resistant,Nephrotic Syndrome, Steroid-Sensitive,Nephrotic Syndromes,Steroid Dependent Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid Sensitive Nephrotic Syndrome,Steroid-Dependent Nephrotic Syndromes,Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndromes,Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic Syndromes,Syndrome, Nephrotic,Syndrome, Steroid-Sensitive Nephrotic
D004232 Diuretics Agents that promote the excretion of urine through their effects on kidney function. Diuretic,Diuretic Effect,Diuretic Effects,Effect, Diuretic,Effects, Diuretic
D004487 Edema Abnormal fluid accumulation in TISSUES or body cavities. Most cases of edema are present under the SKIN in SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE. Dropsy,Hydrops,Anasarca
D006333 Heart Failure A heterogeneous condition in which the heart is unable to pump out sufficient blood to meet the metabolic need of the body. Heart failure can be caused by structural defects, functional abnormalities (VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION), or a sudden overload beyond its capacity. Chronic heart failure is more common than acute heart failure which results from sudden insult to cardiac function, such as MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION. Cardiac Failure,Heart Decompensation,Congestive Heart Failure,Heart Failure, Congestive,Heart Failure, Left-Sided,Heart Failure, Right-Sided,Left-Sided Heart Failure,Myocardial Failure,Right-Sided Heart Failure,Decompensation, Heart,Heart Failure, Left Sided,Heart Failure, Right Sided,Left Sided Heart Failure,Right Sided Heart Failure
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D049994 Sodium Potassium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors Agents that inhibit SODIUM-POTASSIUM-CHLORIDE SYMPORTERS which are concentrated in the thick ascending limb at the junction of the LOOP OF HENLE and KIDNEY TUBULES, DISTAL. They act as DIURETICS. Excess use is associated with HYPOKALEMIA and HYPERGLYCEMIA. Loop Diuretic,Bumetanide Sensitive Na-K-Cl-Transporter Inhibitors,High Ceiling Diuretics,Loop Diuretics,Na-K-CL Symporter Inhibitors,Sodium Potassium Chloride Cotransporter Inhibitors,Bumetanide Sensitive Na K Cl Transporter Inhibitors,Ceiling Diuretics, High,Diuretic, Loop,Diuretics, High Ceiling,Diuretics, Loop,Inhibitors, Na-K-CL Symporter,Na K CL Symporter Inhibitors,Symporter Inhibitors, Na-K-CL
D051437 Renal Insufficiency Conditions in which the KIDNEYS perform below the normal level in the ability to remove wastes, concentrate URINE, and maintain ELECTROLYTE BALANCE; BLOOD PRESSURE; and CALCIUM metabolism. Renal insufficiency can be classified by the degree of kidney damage (as measured by the level of PROTEINURIA) and reduction in GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE. Kidney Insufficiency,Kidney Failure,Renal Failure,Failure, Kidney,Failure, Renal,Failures, Kidney,Failures, Renal,Insufficiency, Kidney,Kidney Failures,Kidney Insufficiencies,Renal Failures,Renal Insufficiencies

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