Diuretics - Treatments of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH)

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Diuretics are common medications used to decrease the amount of fluid in the body. They are typically used in the treatment of conditions such as pulmonary arterial hypertension, edema, congestive heart failure, and certain kidney disorders. Diuretics work by inducing the kidneys to excrete excessive amounts of sodium in the urine. The sodium in the urine takes water from the blood to dilute it, effectively reducing the amount of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. By reducing the amount of fluid in the blood vessels, d also reduce the pressure on the walls of the arteries. Reducing blood pressure in this way reduces an individual’s risk of many complications associated with high blood pressure.

Diuretics can be classified into three groups; thiazide diuretics, loop diuretics, and potassium-sparing diuretics. Each of these different groups affects the kidneys in different ways, has different uses, and may exhibit different side effects. The right type of diuretics for an individual’s treatment will be determined by general health and type of condition requiring treatment. Different types of diuretics may be combined into one pill if needed. Thiazide diuretics are typically tried first.

Thiazide diuretics commonly used in the United States include:

• Aquatensen (methyclothiazide)
• Diucardin (hydroflumethiazide)
• Diulo (metolazone)
• Diuril (chlorothiazide)
• Enduron (methyclothiazide)
• Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Hydro-chlor (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Hydro-D (hydrochlorothiazide)
• HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Hydromox (quinethazone)
• Hygroton (chlorthalidone)
• Metahydrin (trichlormethiazide)
• Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Mykrox (metolazone)
• Naqua (trichlormethiazide)
• Naturetin (bendroflumethiazide)
• Oretic (hydrochlorothiazide)
• Renese (polythiazide)
• Saluron (hydroflumethiazide)
• Thalitone (chlorthalidone)
• Trichlorex (trichlormethiazide)
• Zaroxolyn (metolazone)
  

Loop diuretics commonly used in the United States include:

• Bumex (bumetanide)
  
• Demadex (torsemide)
  
• Edecrin (ethacrynic acid)
  
• Lasix (furosemide)
  
• Myrosemide (furosemide)

Potassium-sparing diuretics commonly used in the United States include:

• Aldactone (spironolactone)
• Dyrenium (triamterene)
• Midamor (amiloride)

Typical side effects associated with the usage of diuretics include excessive urination, dizziness, joint pain, muscle cramps, and diarrhea. Some patients taking thiazide diuretics may experience an increased sensitivity to sunlight. Impotence and irregular heartbeat occur with far less frequency and affect a smaller number of patients than other side effects. Complications associated with diuretics include irregular heart rhythm, hypertension, coronary artery spasms, heart attack, and stroke.

Experts estimate that close to 20% of Americans over the age of 65 take diuretics regularly. This age group is at an elevated risk for side effects relating to the use of diuretics and may experience a condition called mineral wasting. Mineral wasting is the elimination of vital minerals in the body due to the usage of diuretics. These vital minerals include magnesium, potassium, calcium, iodide, and zinc. Studies have shown that mineral wasting increases the rate of death in patients taking diuretics.

Treatments for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

• Anticoagulants
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Beraprost (prostacyclin)
• Diuretics
• Flolan (epoprostenol sodium)
• Iloprost (Ventavis)
• Lasix
• Revatio (Viagra, sildenafil citrate)
• Tracleer (Bosentan)
• Remodulin (UT-15, treprostinil sodium
  

Do I have a Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Lawsuit?

The Defective Drug Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (IPAH) lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension cases in all 50 states.

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