Diuretics

This chapter is a comprehensive account of the medicinal chemistry of diuretic agents. It provides the mechanism of drug action and details the structure activity relationships (SAR) of these drugs to provide a knowledge base for pharmacists. After studying this chapter, students will be able to:

• Identify the chemical classification to which a diuretic agent or therapeutic belongs based on drug structure.

• Evaluate the chemical principles of different classes of diuretics.

• Compare and contrast the potency, onset, and duration of action of the diuretic agents.

• Identify chemical metabolites of the diuretics that increase the risk of nephron and hepatotoxicity.

• Select an appropriate diuretic agent based on patient-specific symptoms of hypertension or other problems.

• Rationalize the clinical application of all diuretic drug classes.

• Communicate the chemical rationale for a diuretic to health professionals.

• Delineate the clinical significance and therapeutic evaluations of these classes of drugs by solving case studies.

 • Identify the discovery process of selected diuretic agents.

Keywords: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI), Drug receptor interaction, Loop diuretics, Nephron, Osmotic diuretics, Potassium sparing diuretics, Sulfonamides, Structure activity relationship, Thiazide diuretics.