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Multiple Choice

Hydrochlorothiazide is best described as which type of diuretic?

Hydrochlorothiazide acts on the distal convoluted tubule to block the Na-Cl symporter, which defines a thiazide diuretic. This produces a mild to moderate diuresis by increasing sodium and water excretion, and over time it lowers peripheral vascular resistance, giving antihypertensive effects. It’s different from osmotic diuretics, which raise tubular fluid osmolarity to pull water, from loop diuretics, which inhibit the Na-K-2Cl transporter in the thick ascending limb for stronger diuresis, and from potassium-sparing diuretics, which act to conserve potassium.

Hydrochlorothiazide acts on the distal convoluted tubule to block the Na-Cl symporter, which defines a thiazide diuretic. This produces a mild to moderate diuresis by increasing sodium and water excretion, and over time it lowers peripheral vascular resistance, giving antihypertensive effects. It’s different from osmotic diuretics, which raise tubular fluid osmolarity to pull water, from loop diuretics, which inhibit the Na-K-2Cl transporter in the thick ascending limb for stronger diuresis, and from potassium-sparing diuretics, which act to conserve potassium.