Potassium sparing diuretics list?

Which potassium-sparing diuretics are commonly used?

Potassium-sparing diuretics are typically grouped into two drug classes: aldosterone antagonists and epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) blockers.

Aldosterone antagonists (main “K-sparing” option)

• Spironolactone
  
• Eplerenone
  
• Canrenone (active metabolite used in some settings)
  
  

ENaC inhibitors (also spare potassium)

• Amiloride
  
• Triamterene
  
  

What’s the difference between spironolactone and eplerenone?

• Spironolactone blocks the androgen receptor as well as the mineralocorticoid receptor, so it has more risk of endocrine side effects (for example, gynecomastia).
  
• Eplerenone is more selective for the mineralocorticoid receptor, so endocrine side effects tend to be less common.
  
  

How are these typically used (and when)?

Potassium-sparing diuretics are often used when clinicians want to reduce potassium loss from other diuretics (like loop or thiazides) or when they need an aldosterone effect (for example, certain heart failure or resistant edema cases).

What side effect is most important to watch?

The key risk shared by potassium-sparing diuretics is hyperkalemia (high potassium), especially in people with kidney impairment or when combined with other drugs that raise potassium.

Sources

[1] DrugPatentWatch.com – https://www.drugpatentwatch.com