A Comparison of the Properties of Chlorothiazide, Spironolactone and a Combination of Both as Diuretic Agents

CHLOROTHIAZIDE is an effective diuretic agent in fluid-retention states.1 2 3 4 5 Hypokalemia due to excessive urinary potassium loss is a frequent and sometimes life-threatening complication of therapy with this agent and its derivatives.2 , 5 6 7 8 Its therapeutic value is further limited by its ineffectiveness in many patients.6 Steroidal 17-spironolactones specifically block the action of aldosterone on the renal-tubule cell9 , 10 and produce increased sodium and water and decreased potassium excretion in normal subjects.10 , 11 It has been suggested that these actions of spironolactones should augment the diuretic potency of chlorothiazide while diminishing the potassium loss produced by this agent.11 This study was undertaken to determine the . . .