Some aspects of the clinical pharmacology of furosemide

Earlier data on kinetics and dynamics of furosemide given to normal humans are reviewed and the role of different assay methods for the calculation of kinetic variables is emphasized. Adequate timing of serum samples may help to solve the "tail problem", i.e. the increasing loss of precision in the vicinity of the limit of detection. New aspects are reported from studies with a pellet-dosage form of furosemide. Initial peak diuresis is reduced and the duration of action is prolonged. Clinical results in hypertensive patients are in agreement with the data achieved in normal subjects.