Use of spironolactone and hydrochloroth1azide in treatment of oedema

Abstract

A new steroidal spirolactone, spironolactone (SC.9420), was used in conjunction with hydrochlorothiazide in seven patients with oedema five with congestive cardiac failure, two with the nephrotic syndrome. In six of the seven patients the addition of spironolactone caused a significant increase in the sodium excretion and a marked reduction in the potassium excretion induced by hydrochlorothiazide in all natients. These preliminary results suggest that spironolactone is of limited value in the treatment of cases of refractory oedema, but that it will protect the patient against the known hazard of hypokalaemia associated with the use of hydrochlorothiazide. © 1960, British Medical Journal Publishing Group. All rights reserved.