[Metabolic effects of diuretics (author's transl)].

Thiazide diuretics and loop-diuretics, often used for treatment of hypertension, interfere with various metabolic reactions: An increase of uric acid in plasma is a regular finding, but gout will not be caused, an elevation of plasma lipoproteins has been observed but did not proceed to pathological values, in a number of patients blood glucose has been raised but without producing diabetes mellitus. In general, these metabolic interference are of minor pathological significance. Special treatment for these side-effects are needed in a few cases only. The indicated use of thiazide diuretics should not be disregarded because of their effects on regulatory mechanisms of metabolism.