Summary
In an open crossover trial, lS patients with evidence of renal impairment, defined by proteinuria, raised serum creatinine or impaired creatinine clearance, were randomly allocated to treatment with either 40 mg frusemide or 40 mg xipamide daily for 7 days. After a 3-day mid-point wash-out period, patients were changed to the alternative drug for a further 7 days. Assessment measures involved a wide range of clinical and biochemical parameters. Whilst both drugs significantly reduced oedema, xipamide was more effective than frusemide, and this was associated with a significantly greater effect on sodium excretion with xipamide. With the exception of standing systolic blood pressure where the reduction was significantly more pronounced with xipamide, no significant changes in resting systolic, resting diastolic or standing diastolic pressure were observed to be associated with change of treatment. Three patients noticed minor side-effects during xipamide therapy. There were no adverse reactions in patients taking frusemide.