Diuretics (Shout out Dr. Yee) Flashcards
What Diuretic can cause Calcium retention?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that is often used to treat hypertension. Its exact mechanism for reducing blood pressure remains speculative but is thought to be due to changes in overall plasma volume and systemic vascular resistance. Other medications in the same class include chlorthalidone and indapamide. These medications all have dose-dependent side effects, including hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypercalcemia.
Higher doses lead to greater side effects, and chlorthalidone, as the most potent of the group, tends to have the greatest blood-pressure effect and the highest risk for side effects. The fact that thiazides cause calcium retention is often cited as a reason to consider using a thiazide diuretic in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Additionally, the glucose retention that is associated with these medications can worsen or precipitate diabetes mellitus and should be considered when prescribing them. Due to significant potassium losses that can occur with use of thiazides, these medications are often prescribed with a potassium-sparing diuretic, such as spironolactone or amiloride. Thiazides, like all diuretics, can increase the concentration of uric acid in the blood by decreasing urate excretion. This can result in gout flares.
