A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
A-Textbook-of-Clinical-Pharmacology-and-Therapeutics-5th-edition
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278 NEPHROLOGICAL AND RELATED ASPECTS<br />
absorbed through the nasal mucosa for it to be administered<br />
intranasally. It is selective for V 2 -receptors <strong>and</strong> lacks the pressor<br />
effect <strong>of</strong> ADH.<br />
Desmopressin is also used for nocturnal enuresis in<br />
children over seven years old, <strong>and</strong> intravenously in patients<br />
with von Willebr<strong>and</strong>’s disease before undergoing elective<br />
surgery, because it increases circulating von Willebr<strong>and</strong> factor.<br />
It also increases factor VIII in patients with mild/moderate<br />
haemophilia.<br />
Key points<br />
Volume depletion<br />
• Volume depletion can be caused by loss <strong>of</strong> blood or<br />
other body fluids (e.g. vomiting, diarrhoea, surgical<br />
fistulas).<br />
• Replacement should be with appropriate volumes <strong>of</strong><br />
crystalloid or blood in the case <strong>of</strong> haemorrhage.<br />
• Excessive renal loss <strong>of</strong> salt (e.g. Addison’s disease) or<br />
water (e.g. diabetes insipidus) can be due to renal or<br />
endocrine disorders <strong>and</strong> requires appropriate<br />
treatment (e.g. fludrocortisone in Addison’s disease,<br />
desmopressin in central diabetes insipidus).<br />
DISORDERED POTASSIUM ION BALANCE<br />
HYPOKALAEMIA<br />
Hypokalaemia commonly accompanies loss <strong>of</strong> fluid from the<br />
gastro-intestinal tract (e.g. vomiting or diarrhoea), or loss <strong>of</strong><br />
potassium ions into the urine due to diuretic therapy (see<br />
above). Hypokalaemia in untreated patients with hypertension<br />
is suggestive <strong>of</strong> mineralocorticoid excess (e.g. Conn’s syndrome,<br />
liquorice abuse). Bartter’s syndrome is a rare cause <strong>of</strong><br />
severe hypokalaemia that should be considered in normotensive<br />
children who are not vomiting. Severe hypokalaemia<br />
causes symptoms <strong>of</strong> fatigue <strong>and</strong> nocturia (because <strong>of</strong> loss <strong>of</strong><br />
renal concentrating ability), <strong>and</strong> can cause dysrhythmias. Mild<br />
degrees <strong>of</strong> hypokalaemia (<strong>of</strong>ten associated with diuretic use)<br />
are generally well tolerated <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong> little clinical importance.<br />
Risk factors for more serious hypokalaemia include:<br />
1. high-dose diuretics, especially combinations <strong>of</strong> loop<br />
diuretic <strong>and</strong> thiazide;<br />
2. other drugs that cause potassium loss/redistribution<br />
(e.g. systemic steroids, chronic laxative treatment, high<br />
dose β 2 -agonists);<br />
3. low potassium intake;<br />
4. primary or secondary hyperaldosteronism.<br />
POTASSIUM REPLACEMENT<br />
There are two ways to increase plasma potassium concentrations:<br />
potassium supplements, or potassium-sparing diuretics.<br />
POTASSIUM SUPPLEMENTS<br />
Potassium salts may be given orally as either an effervescent or<br />
slow-release preparation. Diet can be supplemented by foods<br />
with a high potassium content, such as fruit <strong>and</strong> vegetables<br />
(bananas <strong>and</strong> tomatoes are rich in potassium ions). Intravenous<br />
potassium salts are usually given as potassium chloride. This is<br />
used either to maintain body potassium levels in patients<br />
receiving intravenous feeding, or to restore potassium levels in<br />
severely depleted patients (e.g. those with diabetic ketoacidosis).<br />
The main danger associated with intravenous potassium<br />
is hyperkalaemia, which can cause cardiac arrest. Potassium<br />
chloride has the dubious distinction <strong>of</strong> causing the highest frequency<br />
<strong>of</strong> fatal adverse reactions. Potassium chloride solution<br />
is infused at a maximum rate <strong>of</strong> 10 mmol/hour unless there is<br />
severe depletion, when 20 mmol/hour can be given with electrocardiographic<br />
monitoring. Particular care is needed if there<br />
is impaired renal function. Potassium chloride for intravenous<br />
replacement should be dilute whenever possible (e.g. mini-bags<br />
<strong>of</strong> prediluted fluid); strong potassium solutions (the most dangerous)<br />
should be restricted to areas such as intensive care units<br />
where patients may need i.v. potassium while also severely<br />
restricting fluid intake.<br />
POTASSIUM-SPARING DIURETICS<br />
An alternative to potassium supplementation is to combine a<br />
thiazide or loop diuretic with a potassium-retaining diuretic<br />
(see above). Potassium-retaining diuretics are better tolerated<br />
than oral potassium supplements.<br />
Key points<br />
Disordered K metabolism<br />
• Hypokalaemia is caused by urinary or gastro-intestinal<br />
K loss in excess <strong>of</strong> dietary intake, or by a shift <strong>of</strong> K <br />
into cells. Diuretics are <strong>of</strong>ten the cause. Endocrine<br />
causes include Conn’s syndrome. β 2 -Agonists shift K <br />
into cells.<br />
• Mild hypokalaemia is <strong>of</strong>ten unimportant, but severe<br />
hypokalaemia can cause dysrhythmias. Hypokalaemia<br />
increases digoxin toxicity.<br />
• Emergency treatment (e.g. in diabetic ketoacidosis)<br />
involves intravenous replacement, which requires close<br />
monitoring (including ECG).<br />
• Foods rich in K include fruit <strong>and</strong> vegetables. Oral K <br />
preparations are unpalatable <strong>and</strong> not very effective.<br />
• K -retaining diuretics are used to prevent<br />
hypokalaemia. They predispose to hyperkalaemia,<br />
especially in patients with impaired renal function or<br />
with concomitant use <strong>of</strong> K supplements, ACEI or<br />
NSAIDs.<br />
HYPERKALAEMIA<br />
Hyperkalaemia in untreated patients suggests the possibility<br />
<strong>of</strong> renal failure or <strong>of</strong> mineralocorticoid deficiency (e.g. Addison’s<br />
disease). Most commonly, however, it is caused by drugs.<br />
Hyperkalaemia can develop either with potassium supplements