Metabolic Medicine Made Simple : Biochemical changes in Loop Diuretic Therapy

Loop diuretics act by inhibiting the Na - K- 2Cl carrier in the loop of henle.

This results in increased excretion of sodium.

Loop diuretics also result in increased excretion of potassium and this can lead to hypokalemia.

Loop diuretics  result in incresed distal solute delivery as well as increase in aldosterone level which combine to result in increased hydrogen ion excretion leading to metabolic alkalosis.

Loop diuretics are used to treat Chronic Liver Disease patients with ascites and volume overload  and their potential side effects include : Hypokalemia,Metabolic Alkalosis and Pre-renal failure.





Biochemical changes in other conditions :

Acute Renal Failure :

This will lead to metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia.
It will also cause mild increase in BUN and creatinine.


Bowel Ischemia :

This will result in lactic acidosis.



Opiod medication:

This will lead to hypoventilation and subsequent respiratory acidosis.