Medication Summary
The goals of pharmacotherapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications.
Diuretics, potassium-sparing
Class Summary
These agents may be used to correct potassium deficiency or fluid/electrolyte imbalance.
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Competes with aldosterone for receptor sites in distal renal tubules by increasing water excretion while retaining potassium and hydrogen ions.
Triamterene (Dyrenium)
Potassium-sparing diuretic with relatively weak natriuretic properties. Exerts diuretic effect on distal renal tubule to inhibit reabsorption of sodium in exchange for potassium and hydrogen. Increases sodium excretion and reduces excessive loss of potassium and hydrogen associated with hydrochlorothiazide. Not a competitive antagonist of mineralocorticoids; potassium-conserving effect is observed in patients with Addison disease (ie, without aldosterone).
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