Demeclocycline. Treatment for syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion.

The efficacy of demeclocycline hydrochloride in suppressing the tubular action of tumoral antidiuretic products was tested in seven patients with the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. In all patients, demeclocycline hydrochloride (1,200 mg/day) induced production of hypotonic urine and corrected hyponatremia despite large fluid intakes. Comparison of the response to a standard water load before and during treatment showed a notable improvement in the response to water ingestion. Even though demeclocycline moderately impairs renal function, it appears to be the treatment of choice in the chronic form of the syndrome.