Displacement of bilirubin from human albumin by three diuretics.

The interaction of three diuretics with bilirubin-albumin complexes was studied using the peroxidase assay, erythrocyte uptake, and sephadex gel filtration. On a molar basis, each diuretic was as potent or more potent than sulfisoxazole in displacing bilirubin from albumin. Furosemide and ethacrynic acid, when used at the recommended dosage (1 mg/kg), would probably not produce a significant increase in free bilirubin in most infants. Chlorothiazide could introduce a significant risk to jaundiced infants because of the higher dosage required.