title: Loop Diuretics in Clinical Practice.
abstract: Diuretics are commonly used to control edema across various clinical fields. Diuretics inhibit sodium reabsorption in specific renal tubules, resulting in increased urinary sodium and water excretion. Loop diuretics are the most potent diuretics. In this article, we review five important aspects of loop diuretics, in particular furosemide, which must be considered when prescribing this medicine: (1) oral versus intravenous treatment, (2) dosage, (3) continuous versus bolus infusion, (4) application in chronic kidney disease patients, and (5) side effects. The bioavailability of furosemide differs between oral and intravenous therapy. Additionally, the threshold and ceiling doses of furosemide differ according to the particular clinical condition of the patient, for example in patients with severe edema or chronic kidney disease. To maximize the efficiency of furosemide, a clear understanding of how the mode of delivery will impact bioavailability and the required dosage is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Se Won
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Youb
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Chronic kidney disease; Furosemide; Loop diuretics