Effects of piretanide on potassium balance in hypertension

Ten hypertensive patients completed a trial lasting 12 weeks to measure the effect of long-term treatment with piretanide, a new, powerful 'loop' diuretic, on total body potassium (TBK). After 2 weeks of placebo treatment, they received 6 mg piretanide twice daily. This dose was increased to 6 mg 3 times a day if blood pressure was not satisfactorily lowered after 4 weeks. Blood pressure and plasma potassium levels were measured weekly. The TBK was measured fortnightly. In this study potassium balance was not significantly affected by the administration of piretanide.