Patient was educated on contraindications for loop diuretic use as follows:
- Liver disease
- Loop diuretics are mainly metabolized in the liver. If liver function is deficient, this metabolism of loop diuretics can suffer.
- This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in toxicity and severe side effects.
- Renal disease
- Loop diuretics are mainly excreted by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease cannot excrete the loop diuretics normally.
- So, these drugs can stay in circulation for longer time and can be toxic.
- Drugs lowering potassium
- Loop diuretics can result in hypokalemia.
- So, loop diuretics cannot be given to patients who are on any other medications causing hypokalemia, such as, steroids and thiazide diuretics.
- Severe hypokalemia can occur leading to dangerously abnormal heart rhythms.
