diuretic

diuretic /di·uret·ic/ (di″u-ret´ik)

1. pertaining to or causing diuresis.

2. an agent that promotes diuresis.

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high-ceiling diuretics , loop diuretics those exerting their action on the sodium reabsorption mechanism of the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, resulting in excretion of urine isotonic with plasma.

osmotic diuretics  a group of low-molecular-weight substances that can remain in high concentrations in renal tubules, thus contributing to osmolality of glomerular filtrate.

potassium-sparing diuretics  those blocking exchange of sodium for potassium and hydrogen ions in the distal tubule, increasing sodium and chloride excretion without increasing potassium excretion.

thiazide diuretics  a group of synthetic compounds that decrease reabsorption of sodium by the kidney and thereby increase loss of water and sodium; they enhance excretion of sodium and chloride equally.

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di·u·ret·ic (d-rtk)

adj.

Tending to increase the discharge of urine./del

n.

A substance or drug that tends to increase the discharge of urine.

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Diuretic

Medicine that increases the amount of urine produced and relieves excess fluid buildup in body tissues. Diuretics may be used in treating high blood pressure, lung disease, premenstrual syndrome, and other conditions.

Mentioned in: Alport Syndrome, Aspirin, Bulimia Nervosa, Congestive Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure, Hyperaldosteronism, Hyperpigmentation, Kidney Disease, Nephrotoxic Injury, Ototoxicity, Prolonged QT Syndrome

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diuretic

[dī′yoo͡ret′ik]

1  adj, (of a drug or other substance) tending to promote the formation and excretion of urine.

2  n, a drug that promotes the formation and excretion of urine. The more than 50 diuretic drugs available in the United States and Canada are classified by chemical structure and pharmacologic activity into groups: carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics, mercurials, osmotics, potassium-sparing diuretics, and thiazides. A diuretic medication may contain drugs from one or more of these groups. Diuretics are prescribed to reduce the volume of extracellular fluid in the treatment of many disorders, including hypertension, congestive heart failure, and edema. The specific drug to be prescribed is selected according to the action desired and the patient's physical status. Hypersensitivity to sulfonamides prohibits use of many diuretic drugs, and diabetes mellitus may be aggravated by thiazide medications. Thus the presence of a particular condition may prohibit the use of a particular agent. Several adverse reactions, including hypovolemia and electrolyte imbalance, are common to all diuretics. Mercurial diuretics are rarely used because of their nephrotoxicity, and carbonic anhydrase inhibitors have only weak diuretic activity.

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diuretic (dīˈ·y·reˑ·tik),

n a substance that promotes urination.

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diuretic (dī´yret´ik),

n 1. a drug that increases the formation of urine.
adj 2. pertaining to the increased formation of urine. Used mainly in the initial treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure).

diuretic, loop,

n a high-potency therapeutic agent used to control hypertension by exerting influence on the loop of Henle in order to facilitate the removal of surplus water and sodium from the body. See furosemide.

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diuretic

1. increasing urine excretion or the amount of urine.

2. an agent that promotes urine secretion.

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aldosterone antagonist diuretic

affects tubular function by blocking the sodium retention activity of aldosterone. See also spironolactone.

aminouracil d's

heterocyclic compounds similar to xanthines and with similar effects. See xanthine diuretics (below).

benzothiazide d's

exert their effect on the proximal part of the renal tubule preventing resorption of sodium. Called also thiazide diuretics. The best known members of the group are chlorothiazide and its derivatives.

carbonic anhydrase inhibitor d's

inhibit carbonic anhydrase activity and inhibit ion exchange mechanisms especially that of sodium and potassium ions. See also acetazolamide.

loop of Henle d's

affect the resorption of sodium in the ascending loop of Henle. Called also loop diuretic. See also furosemide, ethacrynate sodium.

mercurial diuretic

now largely displaced; the mode of action is to interfere with tubular enzyme systems so that tubular resorption is blocked. Overuse causes permanent renal damage.

osmotic d's

produce a very rapid loss of sodium and water by inhibiting their reabsorption in the kidney tubules and the loop of Henle. Mannitol is clinically the most useful of these diuretics, but it has some serious side-effects, such as pulmonary edema and congestive heart failure.

potassium-retaining d's

appear to act directly on renal tubular function. See also triamterene.

xanthine d's

have effect of stimulating cardiac activity but also have a direct effect on the renal tubules. See also theophylline.

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diuretic

Physiology adjective Referring to or evoking diuresis noun Water pill An agent that ↑ excretion of fluid from the renal tubules, which are most commonly used in CHF Adverse effects Hemodynamics–eg, reflex tachcardia, SNS activation with catecholamine release, activation of RAA system, renal function–eg, ↓ perfusion leading to ↑ BUN and creatinine, electrolytes–eg, ↓ potassium and/or magnesium. See Potassium-sparing diuretic.