Potassium-Sparing Diuretic

**Semantic type:** Chemical Viewed Functionally

**Definition:** Any diuretic agent that produces diuresis without increasing potassium excretion. Potassium sparing diuretics are generally either aldosterone antagonists and thus prevent the aldosterone-mediated promotion of sodium and water retention, or are epithelial sodium channel blockers and prevent the exchange of potassium for sodium in the distal convoluted tubule. These agents cause diuresis without increasing potassium secretion and thus do not cause hypokalemia.