The Long Long Long History
In the 16th century, diuretics were used for the treatment of edema also known as “dropsy”. Before the rise of modern pharmaceutical research, physicians eager to prescribe them cataloged natural substances with diuretic properties. In saying that, in 1902 the physician Samuel Potter included diuretics in his compendium of materials for prescription writing. Most of the diuretics listed were herbal derivatives.
Other 19th- and early 20th-century physicians used diuretics before the modern science of pharmacology was well advanced.
The 20th century’s first effective diuretics were organomercurials.
A Viennese medical student named Alfred Vogel discovered that patients passed large amounts of urine after they had received injections of organomercurial compounds intended to treat syphilis. Their prolonged use resulted in toxic side effects.
Other 19th- and early 20th-century physicians used diuretics before the modern science of pharmacology was well advanced.
The 20th century’s first effective diuretics were organomercurials.
A Viennese medical student named Alfred Vogel discovered that patients passed large amounts of urine after they had received injections of organomercurial compounds intended to treat syphilis. Their prolonged use resulted in toxic side effects.