Elderly diuretics

Patients having high plasma renin activity (PRA) (>8 ng/(mLh)) respond best to an ACE inhibitor or a -adrenoceptor blocker those having low PRA (<1 ng/(mLh)) usually elderly and black, respond best to a calcium channel blocker or a diuretic (184). -Adrenoceptor blockers should not be used in patients who have diabetes, asthma, bradycardia, or peripheral vascular diseases. The thiazide-type diuretics (qv) should be used with caution in patients having diabetes. Likewise, -adrenoceptor blockers should not be combined with verapamil or diltiazem because these dmgs slow the atrioventricular nodal conduction in the heart. Calcium channel blockers are preferred in patients having coronary insufficiency diseases because of the cardioprotective effects of these dmgs. 

Calcium channel blockers normalize the blood pressure in about 80% of hypertensive patients older than 60 years of age, 50% of those between 40 and 60 years of age, and only 20% of patients under 40 years of age. Thus calcium channel blockers are best for patients who are elderly and have low PRA and mosdy ineffective in patients who have high PRA. This responsiveness profile is very similar to that of the diuretics. 

MANAGING FLUID VOLUM E DEFICIT. The patient receiving a diuretic is observed for dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. A fluid volume deficit is most likely to occur if the patient fails to drink a sufficient amount of fluid. This is especially true in the elderly or confused patient. To prevent a fluid volume deficit, the nurse encourages patients to drink adequate oral fluids (up to 3000 mL/d, unless contraindicated). 

Hyperkalemia (increase in potassium in the blood), a serious event, may be seen with the administration of potassium-sparing diuretics. Hyperkalemia is most likely to occur in patients with an inadequate fluid intake and urine output, those with diabetes or renal disease tiie elderly, and those who are severely ill. In patients taking spironolactone, gynecomastia (breast enlargement in tiie male) may occur. This reaction appears to be related to both dosage and duration of therapy. The gynecomastia is usually reversible when therapy is discontinued, but in rare instances, some breast enlargement may remain. 

Another key feature of the thiazide-type diuretics is their limited efficacy in patients whose estimated renal function is reduced, such as the elderly. For example, patients with estimates of reduced renal function, such as those with a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) below 30 mL/minute, should be considered for more potent loop type diuretics such as furosemide. Clinicians often fail to either reconsider the role of thiazide diuretics prescribed to individuals whose renal function has been declining or fail to recognize the likely prevalence of renal compromise in the elderly to begin with. 

P-blocker therapy was ineffective in preventing coronary heart disease, cardiovascular mortality, and all-cause mortality when compared to diuretics for elderly patients (60 years of age or greater) treated for primary hypertension. Clearly, the effects of P-blockers on blood pressure are complex and difficult to ascribe to one or two mechanisms. Rather, the varied effects of negative chronotropic and inotropic properties along with reduced renin levels (Fig. 2-3) appear to result in an overall reduction in cardiac output and/or reduction in peripheral resistance. 

Patients at increased risk of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects (e.g., dyspepsia, peptic ulcer formation, and bleeding) include the elderly, those with peptic ulcer disease, coagulopathy, and patients receiving high doses of concurrent corticosteroids. Nephrotoxicity is more common in the elderly, patients with creatinine clearance values less than 50 mL/minute, and those with volume depletion or on diuretic therapy. NSAIDs should be used with caution in patients with reduced cardiac output due to sodium retention and in patients receiving antihypertensives, warfarin, and lithium. 

NSAIDs can cause renal insufficiency when administered to patients whose renal function depends on prostaglandins. Patients with chronic renal insufficiency or left ventricular dysfunction, the elderly, and those receiving diuretics or drugs that interfere with the renin-angiotensin system are particularly susceptible. Decreased glomerular filtration also may cause hyperkalemia. NSAIDs rarely cause tubulointerstitial nephropathy and renal papillary necrosis. 

One of the safest and most commonly used parts of the elder are the cream-colored blossoms. They are expectorant, mildly laxative, diuretic and diaphoretic. They have traditionally been used as part of a spring blood-purifying formula. Throughout history, elder flowers have been administered as a tea for treatment of lung infections, measles and scarlet fever. 

Diuretic. Elder enhances kidney activity and helps to clear heat or infection through the urinary system. Parts used flowers, berries, inner bark, leaves. 

Acute drug-related hypersensitivity reactions (allergic responses) may cause tubulointerstitial nephritis, which will damage the tubules and interstitium. These reactions are most commonly observed with administration of methicillin and other synthetic antibiotics as well as furosemide and the thiazide diuretics. The onset of symptoms occurs in about 15 days. Symptoms include fever, eosinophilia, hematuria (blood in the urine), and proteinuria (proteins in the urine). Signs and symptoms of acute renal failure develop in about 50% of the cases. Discontinued use of the drug usually results in complete recovery however, some patients, especially the elderly, may experience permanent renal damage. 

Starting doses of ACE inhibitors should be low with slow dose titration. Acute hypotension may occur at the onset of ACE inhibitor therapy, especially in patients who are sodium- or volume-depleted, in heart failure exacerbation, very elderly, or on concurrent vasodilators or diuretics. Patients with these risk factors should start with half the normal dose followed by slow dose titration (e.g., 6-week intervals). 

Diuretics and ACE inhibitors provide significant benefits and can be used safely in the elderly, but smaller-than-usual initial doses might be needed, and dosage titrations should occur over a longer period to minimize the risk of hypotension. 

The activity of the renin-angiotensin system is reduced with age (Muhlberg and Platt 1999). The ability of the kidney to concentrate urine maximally after water deprivation decreases with age, as does the ability to excrete a water and salt load, particularly during the night. Nocturnal polyuria is common in the elderly (Lubran 1995). Diuretics are commonly used in the elderly. There is an increased risk for hypokalemia and hyponatremia from diuretics in the elderly (Passare et al. 2004). Electrolyte disturbances may also be caused by several types of drugs in the elderly and it is important to monitor serum electrolyte levels in the elderly. Treatment with... 

Many different drug classes have shown to cause hypotension and orthostatic reactions and drugs for cardiovascular conditions, psychoactive medicines and polypharmacy, can all have this side effect (Box 5.15). Among the most frequently used drugs in the elderly are diuretics, ACE-inhibitors, angiotensin II antagonists, calcium channel blockers and antidepressants. 

Lithium is commonly used for bipolar affective disorders. Lithium however has a narrow therapeutic index and high risk for toxicity (Groleau 1994). The use of loop diuretics or ACE-inhibitors significantly increases the risk of hospitalisation for lithium toxicity in the elderly (Juurlink et al. 2004). Treatment of elderly patients with lithium should be thoroughly monitored. 

Q91 Lower initial doses of diuretics should be used in the elderly. The elderly are particularly susceptible to postural hypotension. 

Elderly patients must be started on the lowest possible dose of diuretics as they tend to be more susceptible to their side-effects, such as postural hypotension. 

Antiadrenergic] Uses HTN Action Centrally acting antihypCTtensive Dose Adults. 250-500 mg PO bid-tid (max 2-3 g/d) or 250 mg-1 g IV q6-8h Peds. 10 mg/kg/24 h PO in 2-3 doses (max 40 mg/kg/24 h q6-12h) or 5-10 mg/kg/dose IV q6-8h to total dose of 20 0 mg/kg/24 h X in renal insuff/elderly Caution [B (PO), C (IV), +] Contra Liver Dz MAOIs Disp Tabs, inj SE Discolors urine initial transient sedation/drowsiness frequent, edema, hemolytic anemia, hepatic disorders Interactions T Effects W/ anesthetics, diuretics, levodopa, Li, methotrimeprazine, thioxanthenes, vasodilators, verapamil T effects OF haloperidol, Li, tolbutamide effects W/amphetamines, Fe, phenothiazine, TCAs ... 

Beta-blockers can no longer be considered as first line monotherapy for uncomplicated hypertension in older patients since some studies suggest they are less effective than diuretics and no better than placebo in reducing cardiovascular outcomes. Their use in elderly with hypertension probably should be confined to those with other indications such as angina, following myocardial infarction or with heart failure. 

Oberbauer R, Krivanek P, Turnheim K. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the diuretic bumetanide in the elderly. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1995 57(1) 42-51. 

Management necessitates correction of the underlying cause. In unusually severe cases, with haemoglobin levels as low as 20 or 30 g/1 and particularly in elderly patients where heart failure is present, a single unit of packed red cells can be given over 6 hours with a loop-acting diuretic such as 10 mg of oral or intravenous furosemide. Haemoglobin levels will correct at the rate of 20 g/1 every 3 weeks provided replacement is adequate. It should be noted that for stores to be reconstituted 3 and sometimes 6 months of oral treatment are needed. 

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