Amiloride

Amiloride
Amiloride
Systematic (IUPAC) name
3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(diaminomethylene)pyrazine-2-carboxamide
Clinical data
Trade names Midamor
AHFS/Drugs.com monograph
Pregnancy cat. B(US)
Legal status -only (US)
Routes oral
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability Readily absorbed
Metabolism none
Half-life 6 to 9 hours
Excretion unchanged in urine
Identifiers
CAS number 2016-88-8 YesY
ATC code C03DB01
PubChem CID 16231
IUPHAR ligand 2421
DrugBank APRD00790
ChemSpider 15403 YesY
UNII 7M458Q65S3 YesY
KEGG D07447 YesY
ChEBI CHEBI:2639 YesY
ChEMBL CHEMBL945 YesY
Chemical data
Formula C6H8ClN7O 
Mol. mass 229.627 g/mol
SMILES eMolecules & PubChem
 N(what is this?)  (verify)

Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic, first approved for use in 1967 (then known as MK 870), used in the management of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Amiloride was also tested as treatment of cystic fibrosis, but it was revealed inefficient in vivo due to it's short time of action, therefore longer-acting ENaC inhibitors may prove more effective, e.g. Benzamil.[1]

Contents

Structure

Amiloride is a guanidinium group containing pyrazine derivative.

Mechanism of action

Amiloride works by directly blocking the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) thereby inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the late distal convoluted tubules, connecting tubules, and collecting ducts in the kidneys (this mechanism is the same for triamterene).[2] This promotes the loss of sodium and water from the body, but without depleting potassium. The drug is often used in conjunction with thiazide (e.g. co-amilozide) or loop diuretics (e.g. co-amilofruse). Due to its potassium-sparing capacities, hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels) is occasionally observed in patients taking amiloride. The risk is high in concurrent use of ACE inhibitors or spironolactone. Patients are also advised not to use potassium-containing salt replacements.[3] Amiloride also carries the risk of developing an acidosis.

A fraction of the effects of amiloride is inhibition of cyclic GMP-gated cation channels in the inner medullary collecting duct.[4]

Amiloride has a second action on the heart, blocking Na+/H+ exchangers Sodium-hydrogen antiporter 1 or NHE-1. This minimizes reperfusion injury in ischemic attacks.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are also sensitive to inhibition by amiloride. ASICs are involved in nociceptor responses to pH [5].

Formulations and trade names

  • co-amilozide (amiloride hydrochloride with hydrochlorothiazide)

See also

References

  1. ^ (Review)Pharmacological treatment of the biochemical defect in cystic fibrosis airways, H.C. Rodgers, A.J. Knoxhttp://erj.ersjournals.com/content/17/6/1314.full.pdf+html
  2. ^ Loffing, Johannes and Kaissling, Brigitte (2003). "Sodium and calcium transport pathways along the mammalian distal nephron: from rabbit to human". Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 284: F628-F643. PMID 12620920. 
  3. ^ LoSalt Advisory Statement (PDF)
  4. ^ Walter F., PhD. Boron. Medical Physiology: A Cellular And Molecular Approaoch. Elsevier/Saunders. ISBN 1-4160-2328-3.  page 875
  5. ^ Hunt and Koltzenburg 2005 'The neurobiology of pain'