TABLE 2

Recommended dosing of diuretics in renal insufficiency

Loop diuretics: maximum intravenous bolus dose
DrugCreatinine clearance < 25 mL/minCreatinine clearance 25–75 mL/minCreatinine clearance > 75 mL/min
Furosemide160–200 mga80–160 mga40–80 mga
Bumetanide8–10 mga4–8 mga1–2 mga
Torsemide50–100 mga20–50 mga10–20 mga
Loop diuretics: continuous infusion
DrugCreatinine clearance < 25 mL/minCreatinine clearance 25–75 mL/minCreatinine clearance > 75 mL/min
Furosemide40-mg loading dose, then 20 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, repeat loading dose and increase infusion to 40 mg/hour40-mg loading dose, then 10 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, repeat loading dose and increase infusion to 20 mg/hour40-mg loading dose, then 10 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, repeat loading dose and increase infusion to 20 mg/hour
Bumetanide1-mg loading dose, then 1 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, increase infusion to 2 mg/hour1-mg loading dose, then 0.5 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, repeat loading dose and increase infusion to 1 mg/hour1-mg loading dose, then 0.5 mg/hour
Torsemide20-mg loading dose, then 10 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, increase infusion to 20 mg/hour20-mg loading dose, then 5 mg/hour × 1 hour; if response is inadequate, increase infusion to 10 mg/hour20-mg loading dose, then 5 mg/hour
Thiazide diuretics
DrugCreatinine clearance < 20 mL/minCreatinine clearance 20–50 mL/minCreatinine clearance > 50 mL/min
Hydrochlorothiazide100–200 mg/day50–100 mg/day25–50 mg/day
ChlorothiazideUsual dosage range: 500–2,000 mg/day in 1 or 2 divided dosesb
MetolazoneUsual dosage range: 2.5–20 mg once dailyb
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
AcetazolamideUsual dosage range: 250–1,000 mg/day in 1 or 2 divided doses
  • a These doses may have to be repeated several times a day to achieve a sustained response.

  • b Dose recommendations are not available for these diuretics, but the higher end of the usual dose range should be used in patients with renal failure.