title: Loop Diuretics in the Treatment of Hypertension.
abstract: Loop diuretics are not recommended in current hypertension guidelines largely due to the lack of outcome data. Nevertheless, they have been shown to lower blood pressure and to offer potential advantages over thiazide-type diuretics. Torsemide offers advantages of longer duration of action and once daily dosing (vs. furosemide and bumetanide) and more reliable bioavailability (vs. furosemide). Studies show that the previously employed high doses of thiazide-type diuretics lower BP more than furosemide. Loop diuretics appear to have a preferable side effect profile (less hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and possibly less glucose intolerance). Studies comparing efficacy and side effect profiles of loop diuretics with the lower, currently widely prescribed, thiazide doses are needed. Research is needed to fill gaps in knowledge and common misconceptions about loop diuretic use in hypertension and to determine their rightful place in the antihypertensive arsenal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hypertension Center, NY Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, 424 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Line
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Malha
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology and Hypertension, Hypertension Center, NY Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medicine, 424 E. 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA. sjmann@med.cornell.edu.
authors.forename: Samuel J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Mann
mesh_terms: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D049971:Thiazides / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D049971:Thiazides; D005665:Furosemide
keywords: Diuretics; Furosemide; Hypertension; Loop diuretics; Torsemide