VPT 311: General and Systemic Veterinary Pharmacology (2+1)

DIURETICS - INTRODUCTION

• Diuretics are agents that increase the salt and water excretion by an action on the kidneys.
• Diuretics effective for the treatment of edema have been available since the 16^th century and mercurous chloride was known by Paracelsus to be diuretic.
• In 1930, Swartz discovered that the antimicrobial sulfanilamide could be used to treat edema in patients with congestive heart failure due to an increase in renal excretion of Na⁺.
• Most modern diuretics were developed when side effects of antibacterial drugs were noted, which included changes in urine composition and output.
• Except for spironolactone, diuretics were developed empirically, without knowledge of specific transport pathways in the nephron.
• They are used mainly in cases of cardiac failure, oedema and hypertension.