Effects of Diuretics on Serum and Urinary Electrolytes in Patients with Hypertension

ABSTRACT

In order to investigate electrolyte changes in serum and urine diuretic therapy, we studied 98 patients with hypertension not optimally controlled by previous treatment. After we divied the patients into three gorups in randomized trial, group A were given Amiloride 10mg/day, group B were given Dihydrochlorothiazide 50mg/day, group C were given Amiloride 5mg/day combined with Dihydrochlorothiazide 25mg/day for 7 days. Blood pressure and electrolyte changes in serum and urine after diuretic theraphy for 7 days were as follows. 1) Serum sodium concentrations were not significantly changed in all three groups(P>0.05). 2) Serum potassium concentrations were increased in group A and C (P<0.05), but there were no significant changes in group B(P<0.05). 3) Urinary sodium exceretions were increased in all three groups(P<0.05). 4) Urinary potassium excretion were decreased in group A and C (P<0.05), but there were increased in group B (P<0.05). 5) Blood pressure were decreased in all three groups(P<0.05).