Diuretic action of benemid: Its effect upon the urinary excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium and water in edematous subjects

1. 1. In thirteen subjects with uncomplicated congestive heart failure benemid in dosage of 4 gm. daily produced a significant diuretic response. The mean increment of water excreted on the day of maximal response was 1,330 cc., of sodium 91 mEq. and of chloride 76 mEq./24 hours. A fourteenth subject with associated gout and renal disease showed a lesser but significant response. Diuresis occurred in most instances on either the first or second day of drug administration. 2. 2. Water diuresis without enhancement of sodium or chloride excretion occurred in seven other subjects. Failure of diuresis to occur in the remaining five subjects was associated with the presence of hepatic disease, renal disease, hyponatremia and hyponatruria. 3. 3. It is postulated that benemid-induced diuresis is the result of decreased tubular reabsorption of water, sodium and chloride.