A common side effect of deficiency - potassium deficiency - is dangerous for many people with chronic diseases. Potassium-sparing diuretics only partially solve the problem of harmlessness of such drugs.

Potassium-sparing diuretics are divided into two groups: sodium channel blockers and aldosterone antagonists. These diuretics delay the excretion of potassium and hydrogen ions from the body. Used as an adjuvant therapy for severe chronic heart failure; for correcting the excess of aldosterone secretion, a phenomenon that is observed in patients with cardiac or hepatic insufficiency; for the treatment of ascites.

Antagonists of aldosterone cause antiandrogenic side effects: decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia in men and menstrual irregularities in women. However, in eplerenone, they are minimal, so it is preferred over spironolactone in patients who experienced these side effects.

Both groups of potassium-sparing diuretics can provoke metabolic acidosis. To reduce the risk of this complication, potassium-sparing diuretics are combined with thiazide. This group of diuretics should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. When treating these drugs should regularly monitor potassium levels in patients with kidney disease, as well as with the administration of ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists or potassium supplements.

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