metolazone

Metolazone is a thiazide-like diuretic marketed under the brand names Mykrox and Zaroxolyn. Zaroxolyn is indicated for the treatment of salt and water retention including: • Edema accompanying congestive heart failure; • Edema accompanying renal diseases including the nephrotic syndrome and states of diminished renal function. Zaroxolyn is also indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs of a different class. Metolazone is a quinazoline diuretic, with properties generally similar to the thiazide diuretics. The actions of Metolazone result from interference with the renal tubular mechanism of electrolyte reabsorption. Metolazone acts primarily to inhibit sodium reabsorption at the cortical diluting site and to a lesser extent in the proximal convoluted tubule. Sodium and chloride ions are excreted in approximately equivalent amounts. The increased delivery of sodium to the distal tubular exchange site results in increased potassium excretion. Metolazone does not inhibit carbonic anhydrase. A proximal action of Metolazone has been shown in humans by increased excretion of phosphate and magnesium ions and by a markedly increased fractional excretion of sodium in patients with severely compromised glomerular filtration. This action has been demonstrated in animals by micropuncture studies. — NCATS