Torasemide in the treatment of arterial hypertension.

An important role for diuretics in the treatment of hypertension is assured on the basis of the latest randomized, prospective trials. Although thiazide diuretics have been the mainstay of treatment thus far, they continue to engender debate because of putative, undesirable side effects. Older loop diuretics, such as furosemide, did not establish themselves in the treatment of essential hypertension because of an inferior efficacy profile compared with that of thiazides. Torasemide is a new loop diuretic that is efficacious at low once-daily doses in the treatment of essential hypertension. The drug compares favorably with hydrochlorothiazide and indapamide. Its mechanism of action may not be entirely based on elimination of salt and water from the body. Torasemide exhibits a favorable side-effect profile, particularly because it does not engender hypokalemia, increases in blood sugar, or serum lipid values. When the additional costs of potassium supplements or potassium-retaining medication are considered, torasemide treatment also compares favorably in terms of health-care economics. Torasemide represents a reasonable alternative to conventional diuretic management in patients with essential hypertension.