A Controlled Double-Blind Evaluation of Hydroflumethiazide and Hydrochlorothiazide

Abstract

CHLOROTHIAZIDE and hydrochlorothiazide are potent diuretic agents, but the potassium loss induced by their routine use may cause serious side effects.¹ It has now been clearly established that potassium depletion is at least partly responsible for the tendency of these drugs to induce hepatic coma in susceptible patients with cirrhosis.² Hydroflumethiazide was introduced with the hope that this modification in the structure of hydrochlorothiazide might appreciably diminish the excessive loss of potassium without compromising the drug's effectiveness as a natriuretic agent.³ The present study was designed to determine whether hydroflumethiazide produces less urinary potassium loss than hydrochlorothiazide does for an . . .