Mechanism of Action
Classification of common diuretics and their mechanisms of action:
| Examples | Mechanism | Location (numbered in distance along nephron) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | ethanol, water | inhibits vasopressin secretion | 1. |
| Acidifying salts | CaCl2, NH4Cl | 1. | |
| Arginine vasopressin receptor 2 antagonists |
amphotericin B, lithium citrate | inhibit vasopressin's action | 5. collecting duct |
| Aquaretics | Goldenrod, Juniper | Increases blood flow in kidneys | 1. |
| Na-H exchanger antagonists | dopamine | promote Na+ excretion | 2. proximal tubule |
| Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors | acetazolamide, dorzolamide | inhibit H+ secretion, resultant promotion of Na+ and K+ excretion | 2: proximal tubule |
| Loop diuretics | bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, torsemide | inhibit the Na-K-2Cl symporter | 3. medullary thick ascending limb |
| Osmotic diuretics | glucose (especially in uncontrolled diabetes), mannitol | promote osmotic diuresis | 2. proximal tubule, descending limb |
| Potassium-sparing diuretics | amiloride, spironolactone, triamterene, potassium canrenoate. | inhibition of Na+/K+ exchanger: Spironolactone inhibits aldosterone action, Amiloride inhibits epithelial sodium channels | 5. cortical collecting ducts |
| Thiazides | bendroflumethiazide, hydrochlorothiazide | inhibit reabsorption by Na+/Cl- symporter | 4. distal convoluted tubules |
| Xanthines | caffeine, theophylline, theobromine | inhibit reabsorption of Na+, increase glomerular filtration rate | 1. tubules |
Chemically, diuretics are a diverse group of compounds that either stimulate or inhibit various hormones that naturally occur in the body to regulate urine production by the kidneys. Herbal medications are not inherently diuretics. They are more correctly called aquaretics.
Read more about this topic: Diuretic
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