Clinical trial of a new diuretic, furosemide: comparison with hydrochlorothiazide and mercaptomerin

A clinical trial was carried out with the object of comparing the effects of furosemide, a new oral diuretic agent, with those of mercaptomerin and hydrochlorothiazide. Eleven edematous patients were chosen for the study and the diuretics were rotated, each drug being preceded by a one- to three-day control period. The patients served as their own controls. Urine electrolytes, body weight, and blood chemistry were monitored.Furosemide was shown to be an effective diuretic in this clinical study; under the conditions of the trial a single oral dose of 80 mg. of furosemide produced a natriuretic response in a 24-hour period equivalent to that achieved with a single oral dose of 100 mg. of hydrochlorothiazide or a single dose of 2.0 c.c. (80 mg. of mercury) of mercaptomerin given intramuscularly.