Xipamide is a sulfonamide diuretic drug marketed by Eli Lilly under the trade names Aquaphor (in Germany) and Aquaphoril (in Austria). It is used for the treatment of oedema and hypertension.

Mechanism of action

Like the structurally related thiazide diuretics, xipamide acts on the kidneys to reduce sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. This increases the osmolarity in the lumen, causing less water to be reabsorbed by the collecting ducts. This leads to increased urinary output. Unlike the thiazides, xipamide reaches its target from the peritubular side (blood side).

Additionally, it increases the secretion of potassium in the distal tubule and collecting ducts. In high doses it also inhibits the enzyme carbonic anhydrase which leads to increased secretion of bicarbonate and alkalizes the urine.

Unlike with thiazides, only terminal renal failure renders xipamide ineffective.

Uses

Xipamide is used for

• cardiac oedema caused by decompensation of heart failure
• renal oedema, chronic renal disease (but not with anuria)
• hepatic oedema caused by cirrhosis
• ascites
• lymphoedema
• hypertension in combination with chronic renal disease

Pharmacokinetics

After oral administration, 20 mg of xipamide are resorbed quickly and reach the peak plasma concentration of 3 mg/l within an hour. The diuretic effect starts about an hour after administration, reaches it speak between the third and sixth hour, and lasts for nearly 24 hours.

One third of the dose is glucuronidized, the rest is excreted directly through the kidney (1/3) and the faeces (2/3). The total plasma clearence is 30-40 ml/min. Xipamide can be filtrated by haemodialysis but not by peritoneal dialysis.

Dosage

Initially 40 mg, it can be reduced to 10-20 mg to prevent a relapse.

The lowest effective dose is 5 mg. More than 60 mg have no additional effects.

Adverse effects

• more than 1/10 of all patients
• hypokalaemia, which can lead to nausea, muscular weakness or cramps, and ECG abnormities
• 1/100 to 1/10
• hyponatraemia, which can lead to headache, nausea, drowsiness or confusion
• orthostatic hypotension
• initially increase of urea, uric acid and creatinine, wchich can lead to a gout attack in predisposed patients
• 1/1000 to 1/10,000
• allergic reactions of the skin
• hyperlipidaemia
• less than 1/10,000
• haemorrhagic pancreatitis
• acute interstitial nephritis
• thrombocytopenia, leucopenia

Contraindications

• anuria
• praecoma and coma hepaticum
• hypovolemia, hyponatremia, hypokalemia
• hypercalcemia
• gout
• sulfonamide hypersensitivity
• pregnancy, lactation period

Interactions

Not recommended combinations

• Xipamide lowers the renal clearence of lithium which can lead to lithium intoxication. (This interaction is classified as medium.)

Combinations requiring special precautions

The product information requests special precautions for these combinations:

• The antihypertensive effect can be increased by ACE inhibitors, barbiturates, phenothiazines, tricyclic antidepressants, alcohol, etc. (Classified as minor.)
• NSAIDs can reduce the antihypertensive and diuretic effects. Xipamide increases the neurotoxicity of high doses of salicylates. (Classified as minor.)
• Toxicity of cardiac glycosides is increased due to hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia.(Classified as minor.)
• Antiarrhythmic agents (classes Ia and III), phenothiazines and other antipsychotics increase the risk of torsade de pointes due to hypokalemia.

Contraindications not included in the product information

• Xipamide can reduce the effect of antidiabetics. (Classified as minor.)

References