Triamterene may preserve lymphocyte magnesium and potassium in patients with congestive heart failure.

Author(s): Schwinger RH, Antoni DH

Affiliation(s): Medizinische Klinik I (Kardiologie), Krankenhaus Munchen-Bogenhausen, Germany.

Publication date & source: 1992-03, Magnes Res., 5(1):29-32.

Publication type: Clinical Trial; Randomized Controlled Trial

Electrolyte abnormalities are a frequent and potentially hazardous complication in the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure. Medical treatment with diuretics and/or digitalis, as well as neurohumoral activation most likely initiated by the compromised cardiac function, contributes to this alteration. The addition of potassium- and magnesium-sparing diuretics (triamterence, amiloride) to therapy with frusemide or hydrochlorothiazide is of possible value in preventing intracellular electrolyte abnormalities.