S6) Diuretics Flashcards
What is diuresis?
Diuresis is the increased formation of urine by the kidney and the process of treating water from the kidney
What is a diuretic?
A diuretic is a substance/drug that promotes a diuresis by increasing the renal excretion of Na+/H2O, reducing ECF volume
When are diuretics used clinically?
Clinical use is in conditions where Na+ and H2O retention cause expansion of ECF volume and oedema eg. heart failure
→ reduce plasma volume and cardiac output
→ reduce blood pressure
→ reduce oedema
Briefly, describe how diuretics act on the nephron/kidney
Diuretics act by blocking reabsorption of Na+ and H2O by the tubule and increase the fractional excretion (FE) of Na+
→ remember that where na goes, Cl goes and h20 will too

Describe the 4 pathways in which diuretics can act on the nephron
- By blocking Na+ transporters in the luminal membrane
- By antagonising the action of aldosterone (promotes reabsorption of na into the blood)
- By modification of filtrate content (osmotic diuretics)
- By inhibiting activity of enzyme carbonic anhydrase in the PCT

Identify the 3 types of diuretics which act on cells to block Na+ transporters in the luminal membrane
- Thiazide diuretics
- Loop diuretics
- K+ sparing diuretics
Describe the action of loop diuretics
- Drug is secreted into the lumen in the PCT
- Acts on Loop of Henle
- Blocks NaKCC co-transporter

Describe the action of thiazide diuretics
- Drug is secreted into the lumen in the PCT
- Acts on the early Distal Tubule
- Blocks Na–Cl cotransporter

Describe the action of K+ sparing diuretics
- Drug is secreted into the lumen in the PCT
- Acts on Late DT & CD
- Blocks Epithelial Na channels (ENaC)

Describe how aldosterone acts on the kidney nephron
Aldosterone acts on principal cells of Late DT & CD to increase Na+ reabsorption via ENaC

Identify and describe the mechanism of action of diuretics which antagonise the action of aldosterone
- Aldosterone antagonists act through competitive inhibition of the aldosterone receptor, decreasing Na+ reabsorption
- They also have a K+ sparing effect

Osmotic diuretics act by modifying the filtrate content.
Describe this
Small molecules are freely filtered at glomerulus but not reabsorbed:
- Increased osmolarity of filtrate
- Reduced water & Na+ reabsorption throughout the tubule

Describe the action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Carbonic anhydrase has an inhibiting effect and interferes with Na+ & HCO3- reabsorption in PCT

Loop diuretics block apical Na-K-2 Cl transporter.
In 5 steps, explain how this leads to diuresis

⇒ Na+ and Cl- is not absorbed resulting in less H2O absorption
⇒ Result is: Na+ and H2O loss
⇒ K+ carried across apical membrane drifts back into lumen via K+ channels
⇒ Creates a (+) lumen potential
⇒ This decreases the absorption of Ca2+ and Mg2+
Provide 2 examples of loop diuretics
- Furosemide
- Bumetanide
Loop diuretics are very potent.
What is the impact of this?
- Affects 25 - 30% of filtered sodium reabsorption
- Segments beyond have limited capacity to reabsorb the resulting flood of Na+ & H2O
Describe the use of loop diuretics in heart failure
- Treats of symptoms of breathlessness & oedema
- Causes vaso and venodilatation (decreases after/preload)
- No effect on reducing mortality
Describe the use of loop diuretics in treating acute pulmonary oedema
IV Furosemide given for rapid action
Loop diuretics are used to treat fluid retention & oedema in a number of clinical conditions.
Identify 3
- Nephrotic syndrome
- Renal failure
- Cirrhosis of liver (spironolactone preferred)
Loop diuretics are also used in treatment of hypercalcaemia.
Explain the benefit of this
- Impairs calcium absorption in the Loop of Henle
- Increases urinary excretion of calcium
- Furosemide given together with IV fluids
Thiazide diuretics block Na–Cl transporter in DCT.
In 4 steps, explain how this leads to diuresis

⇒ Diuretic secreted into lumen in PCT and travels to act on DCT
⇒ Blocks Na+ absorption and increases Ca2+ absorption
⇒ Increases Na+ (and H2O) loss in urine
⇒ Reduces Ca2+ loss in urine so reabsorb more Ca
Provide an example of a thiazide diuretic
Bendroflumethiazide
indapamide
Thiazide diuretics are less potent diuretics than loop diuretics.
How does this manifest?
- Only 5% of sodium reabsorption inhibited
- Ineffective in renal failure
Where are thiazide diuretics most commonly used?
Widely used in hypertension (vasodilatation)
first line antihypertensive drug
Two groups of drugs have potassium sparing diuretics.
Identify these groups and provide examples

Act on late distal tubule and collecting duct:
- Inhibitors of ENaC e.g. Amiloride, triamterene
- Aldosterone antagonist e.g. Spironolactone
Identify 4 similarities between aldosterone antagonist diuretics and inhibitors of ENaC
- Reduce ENaC activity (directly or indirectly)
- Reduce the loss of K+
- reduces H excretion
- Can produce life threatening hyperkalaemia
- Are mild diuretics (affects only 2% of Na+ reabsorption)
Hyperkalaemia may occur with both groups of K+ sparing diuretics.
Illustrate this mechanism

The 2 groups of drugs with potassium sparing effects are more likely to produce severe hyperkalaemia when used in certain circumstances.
Identify 3 of these
- ACE Inhibitors
- K+ supplements
- Patients with renal impairment (hyperkalemia)
- liver disease
Describe 3 clinical uses of aldosterone antagonists
- Reduces mortality in heart failure
- Preferred drug for cirrhosis (ascites & oedema)
- Additional therapy in hypertension caused by primary hyperaldosteronism
Describe the clinical use of ENaC blockers
Usually used in combination with K+ losing diuretics such as Loop or Thiazide diuretics to minimise K+ loss
In 5 steps, explain how diuretics may also contribute to hypokalaemia
⇒ Diuretics may lead to reduced circulatory volume
⇒ Activation of RAAS
⇒ Increased aldosterone secretion
⇒ Increased Na+ absorption & K+ secretion
⇒ Hypokalaemia
Loop & Thiazide diuretics both block Na+ & H2O reabsorption in LoH or early DT.
Ilustrate how this might lead to hypokalaemia

What is Nephrotic syndrome?
Nephrotic syndrome is a glomerular disease caused by an increase in the permeability of the glomerular basement membrane to protein

In 5 steps, explain the biochemical basis of Nephrotic Syndrome
⇒ Proteins are filtered and lost in urine (proteinuria)
⇒ Results in low plasma albumin and thus, low plasma oncotic pressure
⇒ Peripheral oedema occurs
⇒ The reduced circulatory volume activates RAAS
⇒ Na & water retention causes more oedema
What is oedema?
Oedema is the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the interstial spaces

In 4 steps, explain how oedema results from liver cirrhosis
⇒ Reduced albumin synthesis in liver
⇒ Results in low plasma albumin
⇒ Leads to low plasma oncotic pressure
⇒ Peripheral oedema occurs
What is ascites?
Ascites is free fluid in the peritoneal cavity

In 4 steps, explain how ascites results from liver cirrhosis
⇒ Low oncotic pressure occurs
⇒ Portal hypertension causes increased venous pressure in GI circulation
⇒ Fluid moves into peritoneal cavity (transudate)
⇒ Ascites occurs
Describe the action of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and a consequence of such

- Inhibits action of Carbonic anhydrase in brush border & PCT cell
- Can cause metabolic acidosis due to loss of HCO3- in urine
Identify an example of a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Acetazolamide
Describe the clinical use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
Treatment of glaucoma – reduces formation of aqueous humor in eye by about 50%
Osmotic diuretics act by increasing the osmolarity of the kidney filtrate.
In 4 steps, explain how this leads to diuresis
⇒ Small inert molecules increase plasma osmolarity
⇒ Fluid drawn out from tissues and cells
⇒ Increased osmolarity of filtrate
⇒ Causes loss of H2O, Na+ and K+ in the urine
OR
→ mannitol med injected into blood
→ water drawn to mannitol
→ increased blood volume and heart strain
→ then more water in blood and water gets drawn out in the kidney due to osmosis
Identify an example of an osmotic diuretic
Mannitol
Describe a clinical use of osmotic diuretics
IV mannitol used to treat cerebral oedema
Identify 7 adverse effects of diuretic use
- Potassium abnormalities
- Hypovolaemia (mainly loop)
- Hyponatraemia
- Increased uric acid → gout (thiazides & loop)
- Glucose intolerance (thiazides & loop)
- Gynaecomastia (spirinolactone)
- Erectile dysfunction (thiazides)
Identify 3 other substances which have diuretic action
- Alcohol which inhibits ADH release
- Coffee which increases GFR and decreases tubular Na+ reabsorption
- Drugs which inhibit action of ADH on CT e.g. Lithium
Identify 4 conditions which cause diuresis and present as polyuria
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Diabetes Insipidus (cranial – decreased ADH release)
- Diabetes Insipidus (nephrogenic – poor response of CT to ADH)
- Polydypsia
what is Natriuresis
- process of Na excretion in the urine
where do carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and osmotic diuretics work
proximal tubule
where do loop diuretics work
ascending limb of the loop of henley
where do thiazide diuretics work
distal tubule
where do potassium sparing diuretics work
collecting duct
how do osmotic diuretics work? give some examples
→ they increase the osmolarity of the blood, preventing water reabsorption from the nephron into the blood
eg. mannitol: draws water into the blood and out of the tissues. This then increases urine output
Urea: waste products produced by the body
what are osmotic diuretics used for
cerebral edema (swelling of the brain), acute renal failure, and glaucoma
what are some side effects of using osmotic diuretics
- it increases blood volume → increased extracellular expansion → heart failure and expansion → odema
- headache and nausea → hyponatremia
- dehydration
loop diuretics side effect
In blood:
- hypovolemia
- hyponatremia
- hypokalaemia (so should use K sparing)
- hypomagnesaemia
- hypocalcemia
- metabolic alkalosis
- postural hypotension
what blood vessel is involved with the countercurrent multiplication in the medulla
vasa recta
what diuretic would you pair a loop with
thiazide = more potent
what Is spironolactone an example of
mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist
what type of diuretic increases the amount of uric acid (gout)
thiazide
also decreases glucose tolerance and hypokalaemia
what can Acetazolamide be used to treat, what type of diuretic is this
glaucoma
carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
Which type of diuretic has a secondary effect of increasing calcium excretion
loop → treats hypercalcemia
which drug reduces mortality in patients by 30% in patients with heart failure, MI and LV dysfunction
spironolactone
which diuretic is best used in people with African descent and why
furosemide
salt sensitive due to their low GFR