[Use of diuretics in family practice]

Of 1894 patients registered in a family medicine clinic, 101 (5.3%) had been taking diuretics for at least 6 months. The sex distribution was equal and the average age was 68.7 years. 60% were taking Kaluril, 30% Aquadon and 10% Frusemide. Most had hypertension or heart failure, or both. 6 patients developed hyperglycemia, 2 hyponatremia, 5 hypokalemia, 2 hyperkalemia and 10 hyperuricemia. In 19 the ECG showed arrhythmias. 5 of 56 patients had hypomagnesemia and another 12 had low borderline levels. In the light of these results and those in the literature, we conclude that diuretics are not as safe as previously thought.