Hydrochlorothiazide a new oral diuretic

Abstract

The effects of hydrochlorothiazide on urinary water and electrolyte excretion have been studied in three normal persons and 21 patients with congestive heart failure. Hydrochlorothiazide is a powerful oral diuretic producing a marked increase in the rate of excretion of sodium and chloride and a smaller increase in potassium excretion. It increases the excretion of bicarbonate to a less extent than chlorothiazide. In most normal subjects and patients with heart failure, 0.1 g. of hydrochlorothiazide produces about the same diuretic response as 1 g. of chlorothiazide. In patients with heart failure maximum diuresis is usually produced by 0.1 to 0.2 g. of hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide produced a reduction in plasma potassium concentration in 9 out of 11 patients studied. The plasma chloride concentration was simultaneously lowered. The only toxic symptoms noted were in 3 out of the 21 patients with heart failure who complained of abdominal distension and flatulence while taking the drug. © 1959, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.