A potassium-sparing diuretic drug. Combined with loop or thiazide diuretics, amiloride is used to treat hypertension and fluid retention due to heart failure or cirrhosis of the liver.
A diuretic that acts without causing excessive loss of potassium (see DIURETICS).
n. a potassium-sparing *diuretic that causes the increased excretion of sodium and chloride; it is often combined with a thiazide or loop diuretic (e.g. hydrochlorothiazide as co-amilozide) to reduce the potassium loss that occurs with these drugs. Amiloride may produce dizziness and weakness and its continued use may lead to an excessive concentration of potassium in the blood.
n. a drug that increases the volume of urine produced by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. The main classes of diuretics act by inhibiting the reabsorption of salts and water from the kidney tubules into the bloodstream. Thiazide diuretics (e.g. *bendroflumethiazide, *chlortalidone) act at the distal convoluted tubules (see nephron), preventing the reabsorption of sodium and potassium. Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. *amiloride, *spironolactone, *triamterene) prevent excessive loss of potassium at the distal convoluted tubules, and loop diuretics (e.g. *furosemide) prevent reabsorption of sodium and potassium in *Henle’s loop. Diuretics are used to reduce the oedema due to salt and water retention in disorders of the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs. Thiazides and potassium-sparing diuretics are also used – in conjunction with other drugs – in the treatment of high blood pressure. Treatment with thiazide and loop diuretics often results in potassium deficiency; this is corrected by simultaneous administration of potassium salts or a potassium-sparing diuretic.... diuretic
a rare autosomal *dominant condition characterized by hypertension associated with hypokalaemia, metabolic alkalosis, and low levels of plasma *renin and *aldosterone. The hypertension often starts in infancy and is due to excess resorption of sodium and excretion of potassium by the renal tubules. The syndrome is caused by a single genetic mutation on chromosome 16, which results in dysregulation of a sodium channel in the distal convoluted tubule. Treatment is with a low salt diet and a potassium-sparing diuretic that directly blocks the sodium channel, such as amiloride or triamterene. [G. G. Liddle (1921–89), US endocrinologist]... liddle’s syndrome
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