The Sound of Evolution
Furosemide
Mechanism of action:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic and a sulfonamide derivative. The diuretic effect of furosemide occurs in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidney, where it inhibits the Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ transporter 2 (NKCC2). Under normal conditions, NKCC2 is responsible for reabsorbing sodium, potassium, and chloride ions from the tubular lumen back into the cells. Once furosemide inhibits this transporter, NaCl reabsorption is markedly reduced, causing a large amount of water to be excreted along with sodium.
Reference(s):
1. Prandota J et al. (2001). Clinical pharmacology of furosemide in children: a supplement. Am J Ther.
2. Ponto LL et al. (1990). Furosemide (frusemide). A pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic review (Part I). Clin Pharmacokinet.
3. Prandota J et al. (2002). Furosemide: progress in understanding its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilating mechanism of action, and use in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases. Am J Ther.