Administration Of Loop Diuretics Research Articles

Diuretic-induced magnesium losses.

Long term administration of common loop or distal tubular diuretics may cause somatic magnesium depletion. The resultant deficiency of Mg++ destabilises the myocardium electrically and is a principal cause of cardiac arrhythmias ascribed to diuretics. The adverse effects of diuretics caused by Mg++ depletion can be avoided by selecting diuretics that do not cause magnesium deficiency, minimising the diuretic dose, supplementation of Mg++ intake, or the concomitant use of a K+-retaining, Mg++-sparing diuretic.

Sodium intake and furosemide administration in hypertensive patients with renal insufficiency

The effects of various levels of sodium intake and loop diuretic (furosemide) administration upon arterial pressure and renal function were studied in 11 patients with impaired renal function and essential hypertension. The patients were hospitalized in a metabolic ward and continued taking their usual antihypertensive medications. After a stabilization period, all patients followed the following regiments for 5 to 7 days: period I, 20 mEq sodium diet without diuretic administration; period II, 80 mEq sodium diet and furosemide, 80 mg daily; and period III, 200 mEq sodium diet and furosemide, 240 mg daily. Supine diastolic pressure was lower (P is less than 0.05) during period II than during period I and both supine and standing systolic and diastolic pressures were significantly lower in period III than in period I (P is less than 0.01). No significant differences in the renal clearance of inulin were noted between any of the study periods. In patients with essential hypertension and impaired renal function, consumption of a moderate or liberal sodium diet combined with administration of a loop diuretic agent (furosemide) appears to result in better control of arterial pressure without significant changes in renal function than does strict sodium restriction without diuretic administration.