Renal function during therapy in patients with congestive cardiac failure. Ticrynafen vs. hydrochlorothiazide

14 patients with congestive heart failure requiring diuretic therapy were randomly assigned to treatment with ticrynafen (TCRN) 250 mg or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 50 mg once or twice daily. Both diuretics were effective and comparable in effecting a significant weight loss and increase in urinary sodium. The major difference between the two compounds was the marked fall in serum uric acid concentration and the increase in uric acid clearance occurring with ticrynafen. HCTZ caused an increase in serum uric acid and a fall in uric acid clearance. It is concluded that ticrynafen is a useful diuretic in the treatment of congestive heart failure and has the advantage of lowering serum uric acid rather than producing hyperuricemia.