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Previous Volume 339:387-395 August 6, 1998 Number 6 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Diuretic drugs are widely used for the treatment of patients with edema. Among these drugs, loop diuretics such as furosemide are perhaps the most frequently prescribed, and their clinical pharmacology is better understood than is that of other diuretics. This review will therefore focus on this class of diuretics, but others will be discussed as well.

Clinical Pharmacology of Diuretics

Pharmacokinetics

The pharmacologic characteristics of all loop diuretics are similar. Therefore, a lack of response to adequate doses of one loop diuretic militates against the administration of another loop diuretic; instead, combinations of diuretics with different mechanisms of action should be given.

Loop diuretics block . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Pharmacodynamics

Diuretic Tolerance

Diuretic Therapy in Patients with Edema

Renal Insufficiency

The Nephrotic Syndrome

Cirrhosis

Congestive Heart Failure

Other Treatment Regimens

Acetazolamide plus Loop Diuretics

Dopamine

Mannitol

Adverse Reactions and Drug Interactions

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Emerson Hall 317, 545 Barnhill Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46202-5124, where reprint requests should be addressed to Dr. Brater.

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