Change in antikaliuretic response to potassium-sparing diuretics in patients with cirrhotic ascites.

In 2 elderly patients with ascites due to hepatic cirrhosis, potassium excretion decreased during re-administration of potassium-sparing diuretics after recurrence of ascites following withdrawal of previous prolonged treatment. An exaggerated antikaliuretic response and a paradoxic rise in potassium excretion are "unpredictable" changes which may occur during administration of potassium-sparing diuretics at different times in the same patient treated with the same drug.