Diuretics
- Increase renal salt/water excretion
- Site of nephron action defines subclasses
- Loops: strongest natriuresis
- Thiazides: HTN + mild edema workhorses
- K-sparing drugs reduce K loss
- Volume/electrolyte toxicity drives monitoring
Class at a glance
- Increase renal salt/water excretion
Clinical role
- Site of nephron action defines subclasses
- Loops: strongest natriuresis
- Thiazides: HTN + mild edema workhorses
Practical pearls
- K-sparing drugs reduce K loss
Safety / monitoring
- Volume/electrolyte toxicity drives monitoring
Self-check
- What drives monitoring with diuretics?
Volume and electrolyte toxicity. - Which diuretic subclass produces the strongest natriuresis?
Loop diuretics.
Drugs in this class (15)
Diuretics prescription history
Animated chart of estimated U.S. prescriptions per year, Diuretics (1953–2026).
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