Quinethazone, a New Oral Diuretic

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The effects of quinethazone (Aquamox), a new oral diuretic, which is neither a thiazide derivative nor a mercurial compound, were studied in 4 normal subjects, in patients with chronic congestive cardiac failure due either to rheumatic heart disease or to chronic lung disease, and in 2 patients with compensated rheumatic heart disease who had never been in cardiac failure. In addition the effect of combining acetazolamide with quinethazone has been investigated and a comparison has been made between quinethazone and chlorothiazide. In the normal subjects a single dose of 200 mg of quinethazone proved an effective diuretic, and the natriuretic action exceeded that with 1 g. of chlorothiazide. Potassium excretion was similar with quinethazone and chlorothiazide. The addition of 500 mg of acetazolamide to quinethazone enhanced the diuretic and natriuretic action by simple summation of the effects of the 2 drugs, but a concurrent increase in potassium excretion was also produced. The effectiveness of a single dose of 200 mg of quinethazone was confirmed in eight in-patients with congestive failure, although the loss of water and sodium was less than with 1 g of chlorothiazide; K loss was again similar with the 2 drugs. A good response was also obtained with quinethazone in the 2 patients with compensated rheumatic heart disease. Combination of acetazolamide with quinethazone enhanced water loss and both Na and K excretion. Prolonged daily use of 200 mg of quinethazone was as effective as chlorothiazide in the clinical control of 4 outpatients with congesitve cardiac failure. Although body weight was lowest with the combination of quinethazone and acetazolamide, unfavourable effects on serum K and blood urea were seen. The potential hazards of acetazolamide are pointed out which may limit the use of the combination.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: