Course Summary

Potassium-sparing diuretics are commonly used to manage hypertension and heart failure by promoting sodium excretion while preserving potassium, thereby maintaining electrolyte balance. However, careful monitoring is crucial due to the risk of hyperkalemia, particularly in patients with renal impairment, and dosing adjustments are required for special populations. While these diuretics provide significant therapeutic benefits, healthcare professionals must be aware of their associated risks to optimize patient outcomes. This course will explore the mechanisms of action, clinical applications, potential adverse effects, and special considerations for specific populations. By the end, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of potassium-sparing diuretics in clinical practice, informed by current medical research and guidelines.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Pharmacological Profile
    • Mechanism of Action
    • Pharmacokinetics
    • Pregnancy and Lactation
    • General Recommendations
  • Clinical Indications and Therapeutic Applications
  • Primary Indications of Potassium Sparing Diuretics
    • Hypertension
    • Edema and Cirrhosis of the Liver
    • Nephrotic Syndrome
    • Secondary Hyperaldosteronism
    • Steroid-induced/Idiopathic Edema
    • Edema
    • Heart Failure and Post-MI Heart Failure
  • Adverse Effects and Contraindications
    • Hyperkalemia
    • Other Adverse Reactions
    • Dosing Adjustments for Special Populations
    • Elderly/Geriatric
  • Management of Hyperkalemia
    • Acute Management of Hyperkalemia
    • Long-term Management and Monitoring
  • Interdisciplinary Team Approach
    • Monitoring Parameters
    • Patient Counseling and Education
  • Case Study: Bartter Syndrome (BS) in a Middle-aged Woman with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
  • Summary

Author

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.