title: [Diuretics; their characteristics and future development].
abstract: We review the diuretics regarding the mechanism of action, way of clinical use and their adverse effects. Recent progress of molecular biology revealed the molecular target of diuretics and thereby, the molecular mechanism of diuretic action became clear to understand. Loop diuretics and thiazides are the most widely used diuretics and the physiologic adaptation to their prolonged use are mentioned. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are not used as diuretics but for correction of metabolic alkalosis and treatment of glaucoma. Potassium-sparing diuretics have modest natriuresis but the combination with loop diuretics or thiazides results in strong natriuresis. Adenosine type 1 receptor antagonist has been developed for treatment of edema in chronic heart failure. Vasopressin type 2 receptor antagonists are developed for a new type of diuretics to increase the free water clearance in cases of chronic heart failure and SIADH. The recombinant atrial natriuretic polypeptide is recently used as diuretics in acute heart failure. Knowledge of pharmacological action of diuretics could help the appropriately clinical use of diuretics, in particular the diuretics-resistant edema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine.
authors.forename: Enyu
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Imai
authors.forename: Yoshimasa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Orita
mesh_terms: D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004487:Edema / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics