Renal, diuretics and electrolytes
33 drugs
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
- About this sectionWeak diuretics that block carbonic anhydrase: they make the urine alkaline and lower eye pressure. Used in…
- AcetazolamideCarbonic anhydrase II
Electrolytes and rehydration solutions
- About this sectionSalts of potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and bicarbonate, and oral rehydration salts. Simple…
- Calcium chlorideCalcium ions: membranes of heart, nerve and muscle (no single receptor)
- Calcium gluconateCalcium ions: membranes of heart, nerve and muscle (no single receptor)
- Magnesium sulfateCalcium entry at the nerve terminal and NMDA-type channels (no single receptor)
- Oral rehydration saltsSodium-glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) of the small intestine
- Potassium chloridePotassium ions: resting membrane potential of heart, nerve and muscle (no single receptor)
- Sodium hydrogen carbonateHydrogen ions: bicarbonate buffer of blood and urine (no receptor)
Loop diuretics
- About this sectionThe strongest diuretics: they block salt reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and…
- BumetanideNa⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2) of the loop of Henle
- Etacrynic acidNa⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2) of the loop of Henle
- FurosemideNa⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2) of the loop of Henle
- TorasemideNa⁺-K⁺-2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2) of the loop of Henle
Osmotic diuretics
- About this sectionSugars given into a vein that are filtered but not reabsorbed: they hold water in the tubule and draw water…
- MannitolNo protein target: osmotic effect in plasma and tubular fluid
Overactive bladder agents
- About this sectionMedicines that calm an overactive bladder: antimuscarinics block detrusor contraction and beta-3 agonists…
- MirabegronBeta-3 adrenergic receptor
- OxybutyninMuscarinic M3 receptor of the bladder detrusor
- SolifenacinMuscarinic M3 receptor of the bladder detrusor
- TolterodineMuscarinic receptors of the bladder (M3)
- TrospiumMuscarinic M3 (and M2) receptors of the bladder (antagonist)
Phosphate binders
- About this sectionDrugs taken with meals that trap phosphate from food in the gut, to control high phosphate in kidney failure.
- Lanthanum carbonateDietary phosphate in the gut lumen (the drug acts locally and has no human receptor)
- SevelamerDietary phosphate in the gut lumen (the drug is not absorbed and has no human receptor)
Potassium binders
- About this sectionResins and polymers taken by mouth or enema that trap potassium in the gut so it leaves in the stool. They…
- Sodium polystyrene sulfonatePotassium ions in the colon lumen (no receptor)
Potassium-sparing diuretics
- About this sectionWeak diuretics that act on the collecting duct and keep potassium in the body. Some block aldosterone…
- AmilorideEpithelial sodium channel (ENaC) of the collecting duct
- EplerenoneMineralocorticoid (aldosterone) receptor
- FinerenoneMineralocorticoid receptor (NR3C2)
- SpironolactoneMineralocorticoid (aldosterone) receptor
- TriamtereneEpithelial sodium channel (ENaC) of the collecting duct
Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics
- About this sectionModerate diuretics that block salt reabsorption in the distal tubule. First-line medicines for high blood…
- BendroflumethiazideSodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule
- ChlorothiazideNa⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule
- ChlortalidoneNa⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule
- HydrochlorothiazideNa⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule
- IndapamideNa⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule
- MetolazoneNa⁺-Cl⁻ cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule
Vasopressin receptor antagonists (vaptans)
- About this sectionMedicines that block the antidiuretic hormone receptor in the kidney: they remove free water and raise low…
- ConivaptanVasopressin V2 receptor (and V1a)
- TolvaptanVasopressin V2 receptor
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Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.
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