Triamterene, a New Diuretic Drug--I

Pharmacological effects in animals and normal human subjects of the diuretic amiloride hydrochloride (MK‐870>

“…Similar results were obtained with triamterene. 3 The third comparison, in a normal human subject, again revealed a qualitative similarity between the two compounds. Amiloride (40 mg.) proved more potent than 200 mg. of triamterene in promoting sodium loss and water diuresis but produced closely similar effects on urinary potassium and bicarbonate excretion and on urinary pH.…”

Triamterene in the Treatment of Ascites in Hepatic Cirrhosis

“…Triamterene differs from the thiazide diuretics in that it does not produce a significant potassium diuresis and, in fact, may suppress the excretion of potassium (Crosley et al 1962; Baba et al 1962 a ). It is therefore unlikely to produce hypokalaemia with its associated portal systemic encephalopathy.…”

“…A new diuretic agent, triamterene (SKF 8542, ‘Dytac‘, 2, 4, 7‐triamino‐6‐phenylpteridine) has recently been described in the treatment of fluid retention due to various causes (Donnelly et al 1962; Crosley et al 1962; Baba et al 1962; Shaldon and Ryder 1962). We report its use in six patients with ascites due to cirrhosis of the liver.…”

Diuretics

“…On this account it was originally regarded as an aldosterone antagonist, but further investigations showed that it exerted this effect after adrenalectomy when no mineralocorticoid was given and also in men taking an excess of sodium chloride to depress the adrenal secretion of aldosterone (Liddle, 1961 ;Baba et al, 1962a;Cattell and Havard, 1962). The effect is presumably directly on the nephron, and one site of action must lie in the distal tubule where the drug depresses the absorption of sodium and the exchange of potassium for sodium.…”