Diuretics

Question 1

What are diuretics?

Answer 1

Drugs that induce a state of increased urine flow

Question 2

How do diuretics achieve their function?

Answer 2

They inhibit renal ion transporters that decrease the reabsorption of sodium at different sites in the nephron. As a result, sodium and other ions enter the urine at a greater than normal amount along with water, which is carried passively to maintain osmotic equilibrium

Question 3

What are the major clinical uses of diuretics?

Answer 3

Managing disorders involving abnormal fluid retention, or treating hypertension

Question 4

What kind of diuretics are most widely used?

Answer 4

Thiazides

Question 5

Give an example of a thiazide diuretic?

Answer 5

Bendoflumethiazide

Question 6

Where in the tubule do thiazide diuretics act?

Answer 6

Mainly in the cortical region of the ascending loop of Henle, and the distal tubule

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of thiazide diuretics?

Answer 7

They decrease the reabsorption of sodium, apparently by inhibition of a Na/Cl co-transporter on the luminal membrane of the tubules.