[Effect of diuretics on serum lipoproteins]

BASICS: Drug treatment of the risk factor hypertension has not led to the expected reduction in morbidity and mortality of coronary arterial disease. A negative effect of antihypertensive drugs on the lipid metabolism is under discussion as a possible cause.

Both the commonly employed thiazide diuretics and chlorthalidone and the loop diuretics furosemide, piretanide and xipamide lead, to varying extents, to an increase in total and LDL cholesterol as well as triglycerides in subjects with normal metabolism. In addition, some diuretics lower the levels of protective HDL cholesterol. These side effects can be avoided--at least in part--by a combination with such drugs as prazosin, pindolol or captopril, which have a favorable effect on metabolism.

It is recommended to carefully monitor serum Lipoproteins during diuretic treatment so that possible adverse changes may be counteracted by appropriate measures.