Thiazide Diuretics

How do Thiazide Diuretics work?

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Thiazide diuretics act on the distal tubule of kidney to block sodium reabsorption. They interfere with sodium transport across the tubules in nephron (the smallest functional unit in kidney) and block sodium influx into the blood. This action increase renal excretion of water along with sodium, chloride, potassium and calcium.

The decrease in fluid volume in the body relieves edema (right-sided heart failure) and lung congestion (left-sided heart failure). Read an research article about the effectiveness of diuretics in heart failure by Chocrane research collaboration.

The exact mechanism of thiazide diuretics for hypertension is  not known, but these drugs seem to widen the artery of the heart, thereby lower the pressure that heart has to overcome to pump out blood to body.

All thiazide diuretics are taken orally, and have equivalent efficiency and saftey profiles.

Mechanism of Diuretics in Kidneys


Commonly used brands names

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Aquatensen (methyclothiazide), Diucardin (hydroflumethiazide), Diulo (metolazone), Diuril (chlorothiazide), Enduron (methyclothiazide), Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydro-chlor (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydro-D (hydrochlorothiazide), HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide), Hydromox (quinethazone), Hygroton (chlorthalidone), Metahydrin (trichlormethiazide), Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide), Mykrox (metolazone), Naqua (trichlormethiazide), Naturetin (bendroflumethiazide), Oretic (hydrochlorothiazide), Renese (polythiazide), Saluron (hydroflumethiazide), Thalitone (chlorthalidone), Trichlorex (trichlormethiazide), Zaroxolyn (metolazone).

Click here to read more about different brands names for thiazide diuretics.