An aquaretic is a novel class of drug that is used to promote aquaresis, the excretion of water without electrolyte loss.[1] Strictly speaking, aquaretics are not diuretics but are sometimes classified as such.

Aquaresis is preferable to diuresis in the treatment of hyponatremia.[citation needed]

Pharmacokinetics

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Aquaretics increase urine output without increasing sodium and chloride excretion, thus causing an increase in urine whilst retaining electrolytes.[2]

Examples

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A number of herbal medicines are classified as aquaretics, for example common horsetail or common nettle leaves.[3]

Synthetic aquaretics are vasopressin receptor antagonists and include conivaptan, tolvaptan, demeclocycline, and mozavaptan (OPC-31260), as well as lithium. Conivaptan hydrochloride and tolvaptan have been approved by the FDA for treating syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone.[4][5] Mozavaptan is approved in Japan.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Nicholas H. Fiebach; Lee Randol Barker (2007). Principles of Ambulatory Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 1390. ISBN 978-0-7817-6227-4.
  2. ^ George M. Brenner; Craig W. Stevens (2013). Pharmacology. Elsevier Inc. pp. 120–129. ISBN 978-1455702824.
  3. ^ Lucinda G. Miller; Wallace J. Murray (1998). Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician's Guide. Haworth Press. pp. 147. ISBN 0-7890-0466-6.
  4. ^ "Vaprisol" (PDF). fda.gov. 31 December 2005. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Samsca" (PDF). fda.gov. 31 May 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2019.