C H A P T E R 5 1
Diuretic agents
805
TABLE 51.1
DRUGS IN FOCUS Diuretics
Drug name
Dosage/route
Usual indications
Thiazide diuretics
Thiazide diuretics
bendrofluazide
(Neo-Naclex)
2.5–5 mg/day PO for oedema; 2.5–15 mg/day
PO for hypertension
Treatment of oedema caused by heart
failure (HF), liver disease or renal disease;
monotherapy or as adjunctive treatment
of hypertension
hydrochlorothiazide
(Dithiazide)
Adult: 25–100 mg/day PO or intermittently,
up to 200 mg/day maximum for oedema;
25–100 mg/day PO for hypertension
Paediatric (<6 months): up to 3.3 mg/kg per
day PO in two divided doses
Paediatric (6 months–2 years):
12.5–37.5 mg/day PO in two divided doses
Paediatric (2–12 years): 37.6–100 mg/day PO in
two divided doses
Treatment of oedema caused by HF, liver
disease or renal disease; monotherapy or
as adjunctive treatment of hypertension
Thiazide-like diuretics
chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
Adults: 12.5–50 mg/day PO
Treatment of oedema caused by HF or
by liver or renal disease; adjunctive
treatment of hypertension
indapamide (Insig, Natrilix)
2.5 mg PO mané
Treatment of oedema caused by HF or
by liver or renal disease; adjunctive
treatment of hypertension
Loop diuretics
bumetanide (Burinex)
1 mg/day PO up to maximum daily dose of
10 mg
Treatment of acute HF; acute pulmonary
oedema; hypertension; and oedema of
HF, renal disease or liver disease
ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
Adult: 50 mg/day PO mané, up to maximum
400 mg/day PO
Treatment of acute HF; acute pulmonary
oedema; hypertension; and oedema of
HF, renal disease or liver disease
frusemide (Lasix,
Urex)
20–80 mg/day PO, up to 600 mg/day may
be given; 20–40 mg IM or IV given slowly;
40 mg IV over 1–2 minutes for acute
pulmonary oedema, increase to 80 mg after
1 hour if response is not adequate; 40 mg PO
b.d. for hypertension
Geriatric or renal-impaired person: 2–2.5 g/day
PO
Paediatric: 2 mg/kg per day PO for
hypertension, not to exceed 6 mg/kg per day;
1 mg/kg IV or IM for oedema, increased by
1 mg/kg as needed; not to exceed 6 mg/kg
Treatment of acute HF; acute pulmonary
oedema; hypertension; and oedema of
HF, renal disease or liver disease
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
acetazolamide
(Diamox)
500 mg IV repeated in 2–4 hours, then
250 mg–1 g/day in divided doses q 6–8 hours
for glaucoma; 8–30 mg/kg per day in divided
doses for epilepsy
250 mg–1 g/day PO given in divided doses four
time per day or once or twice a day if using
sustained-release formulation
Treatment of glaucoma; adjunctive
treatment of epilepsy, mountain sickness
brinzolamide (Azopt)
1 gutte in affected eye b.d.
Treatment of ocular hypertension, open-
angle glaucoma
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