Which diuretics are potassium sparing

Types of diuretics include loop diuretics such as furosemide , thiazide diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide , carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and potassium-sparing diuretics.

This article will discuss uses, common brand names, and safety information of potassium-sparing diuretics. The table below lists potassium-sparing diuretics. In addition to the medications above, three potassium-sparing diuretics are also available as a combination product.

Spironolactone, triamterene, and amiloride are also formulated as combination products with hydrochlorothiazide, which is a thiazide diuretic. Thiazide diuretics work in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidneys. This list is for reference—in this article, we will focus on the single ingredient potassium-sparing diuretics listed in the chart above. The combination potassium-sparing diuretics are:. Diuretic medications lower the amount of salt and water in the body.

They facilitate the excretion of excess water and salt through the kidneys. Diuretics are used for conditions such as high blood pressure, edema swelling or water retention , or congestive heart failure. Unlike other diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics do not cause the body to lose potassium. Potassium-sparing diuretics are often prescribed in combination with another diuretic, most often hydrochlorothiazide.

See combination product list above. Potassium-sparing diuretics work in different ways. Amiloride and triamterene work on the sodium channels in the epithelial cells in the kidneys. These drugs have a weak diuretic effect and are usually used with another diuretic.

Spironolactone and eplerenone have a different mechanism of action. They are known as aldosterone receptor antagonists. They inhibit aldosterone from binding to the mineralocorticoid receptor on the epithelial cells in the kidney. Amiloride is rarely used alone due to its weak diuretic and blood pressure effects, and the possibility of causing high potassium levels.

Amiloride is generally used along with another diuretic in patients with heart failure or high blood pressure. In these patients, amiloride is used to:. Eplerenone may be used alone or in combination with other medications. Indications of eplerenone include:. Spironolactone is indicated for:. Triamterene may be used alone or with another diuretic. It is indicated to treat:. Amiloride and triamterene are potassium-sparing diuretics that have a weak diuretic effect. They are often used in combination with another diuretic to enhance their activity and prevent low potassium levels.

They work by blocking the epithelial sodium channel in the distal tubule and collecting ducts of the kidneys. Spironolactone and eplerenone are known as aldosterone antagonists. They work by blocking the mineralocorticoid receptor in the distal tubule and collecting ducts of the kidneys. The following information is a general overview of who can take potassium-sparing diuretics.

As each person is different, consult your healthcare professional for medical advice. Men can take potassium-sparing diuretics, provided they fall into one of the indicated categories, and that there is no contraindication for use. A contraindication is when using the drug could potentially harm the person. Women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding can take potassium-sparing diuretics, provided they fall into one of the indicated categories and that there are no contraindications for use.

When used on their own, potassium-sparing diuretics are weak diuretics. Loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics are stronger than potassium-sparing diuretics with regard to making the kidneys pass out more fluid. However, they also increase the amount of potassium passed out of the body through the kidneys. Potassium-sparing diuretics are often combined with either a loop diuretic or a thiazide diuretic. This is because they help to keep the right amount of potassium in your blood and they help other diuretics to remove fluid from the body.

The higher the dose, the greater the risk of side-effects developing. The leaflet which comes in the tablet package provides a full list of possible side-effects. The more common or serious possible side-effects are listed below:. Usually there are no side-effects but they can occur in some people.

Possible side-effects include:. There are very few people who are not able to take these medicines. They should not be taken by anyone who has high levels of potassium in their blood, severe kidney problems, or Addison's disease. In addition, potassium supplements should not be taken with these medicines. Some salt substitutes that you can buy are high in potassium.

These should be avoided if you take a potassium-sparing diuretic. Taking a potassium-sparing diuretic at the same time as an angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor antagonist medicine eg, valsartan , losartan can also cause very high blood potassium levels.

If you think you have had a side-effect to one of your medicines you can report this on the Yellow Card Scheme. You can do this online at www. The Yellow Card Scheme is used to make pharmacists, doctors and nurses aware of any new side-effects that medicines or any other healthcare products may have caused.

If you wish to report a side-effect, you will need to provide basic information about:. I woke up early hours of the morning with chest pain which is triggered by my anxiety. My heart rate was 53bpm. I am a 28 year old male. I have Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions. Diuretics can also affect blood potassium levels. If you take a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level can drop too low hypokalemia , which can cause life-threatening problems with your heartbeat.

If you're on a potassium-sparing diuretic, you can have too much potassium in your blood. There is a problem with information submitted for this request.

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Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Types of blood pressure medications. American Heart Association.

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