Thiazide Diuretics · Pharmacology

Which of the following statements regarding the 'ceiling effect' of thiazides is correct?

  1. They have a strictly linear dose-response curve with no plateau or ceiling effect at any dose
  2. Increasing the dose beyond the therapeutic window does not further increase diuresis
  3. They produce diuresis only at doses far above the usual therapeutic range
  4. They are consistently more potent than loop diuretics across the full spectrum of clinical doses
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Correct answer: Increasing the dose beyond the therapeutic window does not further increase diuresis

Thiazides have a relatively flat dose-response curve or a 'ceiling.' Once the optimal dose is reached, giving more drug increases the side effects (like hypokalemia) without providing additional blood pressure or diuretic benefit.

Difficulty: Medium Question 12 of 20

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