New Intravenous Thiazide, Coming to a Hospital Near You

I must admit, it is not readily obvious to me when or why I would use an intravenous thiazide over an IV loop diuretic... but nevertheless, it is pretty cool to have a new option.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has just approved APP Pharmaceutical’s Chlorothiazide Sodium (Diuril) for injection. The drug is approved for use in the treatment of high blood pressure , as well as fluid retention in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disorders, or edema caused by taking steroids or estrogen.

APP is a subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals, and they expect to launch the IV Chlorothiazide in the fourth quarter of 2009. It will come in single dose 500 mg vials. Maximum dose is 2000 mg / day.