Cicletanine-induced hyponatremia and hypokalemia in kidney transplant patients

Abstract Background Cicletanine is an antihypertensive agent with vasorelaxant and diuretic properties. It has been widely used in European countries; however, cicletanine-associated electrolyte disturbances have yet to be defined. We investigated cicletanine-induced hyponatremia and hypokalemia in kidney transplant patients. Methods Data from a total of 68 kidney transplant recipients who were treated for hypertension with cicletanine were retrospectively analyzed. Cicletanine-induced hyponatremia and hypokalemia were defined as serum sodium < 135 mmol/L and potassium < 3.5 mmol/L, respectively, after the use of cicletanine. Results The average patient age was 50 (±11) years, and 44 (65%) were male. The daily dose of cicletanine was 171 ± 46 mg, and the duration of drug use was 215 ± 514 days. Hyponatremia occurred in 11 patients (16.2%), and hypokalemia occurred in 8 patients (11.8%). Three patients (4.4%) had hyponatremia and hypokalemia simultaneously. The duration of cicletanine administration was significantly longer in patients with hyponatremia than in those without hyponatremia (943 ± 958 vs. 74 ± 166 days, P