Course Summary

Potassium-sparing diuretics prevent resorption of sodium and subsequent loss of potassium at the level of the distal part of the nephron. They are considered a mild diuretic and are used for the treatment of hypertension, edema associated with cirrhosis of the liver, nephrotic syndrome, heart failure, and post-myocardial infarction heart failure. Four potassium-sparing diuretic medication are currently available in the United States – amiloride, eplerenone, spironolactone, and triamterene. The pharmacological profile of the potassium-sparing diuretics, their labeled uses, adverse effects, contraindications, and warnings, as well as patient monitoring during therapy with a potassium-sparing diuretic and patient education issues, are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• I.              Introduction
• II.           Pharmacological Profile
  • 1.   Category
  • 2.   Labeled Uses
  • 3.   Mechanism of Action
  • 4.   Available Forms
  • 5.   US Boxed Warning
  • 6.   Contraindications
  • 7.   Drug Warnings
  • 8.   Disease-related Concerns
  • 9.   Adverse Effects
  • 10.        Dosing Adjustment: Hepatic Impairment
  • 11.        Dosing Adjustment: Renal Impairment
  • 12.        Dosing Adjustment: Heart Failure, Post-MI
  • 13.        Dosing Adjustment: Elderly/Geriatric Individuals
  • 14.        Use During Pregnancy
  • 15.        Use During Breastfeeding
  • 16.        Dietary Concerns
• III.        Prescribing Pearls and Practical Information
  • 1.   Hypertension
  • 2.   Edema
  • 3.   Liver Edema and Cirrhosis
  • 4.   Nephrotic Syndrome and Edema
  • 5.   Secondary Hyperaldosteronism and Edema
  • 6.   Steroid-induced Edema and Idiopathic Edema
  • 7.   Heart Failure
  • 8.   Post-MI Heart Failure
  • 9.   Aldosterone and Myocardial/Vascular Fibrosis
  • 10.        Tumorigen Potential of Spironolactone
  • 11.        Specific Drug Use Considerations and Recommendations
• IV.         Summary

Author

Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI

Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.