1. Diuretics are drugs that cause increased excretion of water and sodium in urine. They are classified based on their mechanism and efficacy as high ceiling loop diuretics, medium efficacy thiazides, weak carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, and potassium-sparing diuretics.
2. Loop diuretics like furosemide inhibit sodium reabsorption in the ascending loop of Henle. Thiazides like hydrochlorothiazide act in the distal convoluted tubule. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors inhibit the enzyme carbonic anhydrase.
3. Diuretics are used to treat heart failure, liver cir