Which medication is classified as a loop diuretic?

Lasix, which is the brand name for furosemide, is classified as a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics are a category of diuretics that act on the loop of Henle in the nephron, which is a part of the kidney. They inhibit the sodium-potassium-chloride cotransporter (NKCC2), leading to an increased excretion of sodium, potassium, and chloride ions, as well as water, which helps reduce fluid overload and lower blood pressure.

This action makes loop diuretics particularly effective for managing conditions such as heart failure, where excess fluid retention can occur. In contrast, the other medications listed serve different purposes: Carvedilol is an alpha- and beta-adrenergic blocker used primarily in heart failure and hypertension; Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that works on the distal renal tubules and is often used for conditions such as heart failure and high blood pressure but does not have the same mechanism as loop diuretics; and Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used to treat hypertension and protect kidney function in certain conditions.