In cirrhotic patients, hepatic edema is a common manifestation. Moreover, occurrence of ascites results in poor prognosis.1"4 Furthermore, cirrhotic patients with ascites are at high risk of developing hyponatremia or hepato-renal syndrome.3 Conventional diuretics such as spironolactone and furosemide are usually prescribed as oral diuretics. The most successful therapeutic regimen is the combination of spironolactone at 100 mg/day and furosemide at 40 mg/day, and the doses are increased in a stepwise fashion, maintaining the same ratio of doses in order to maintain normal potassium levels.4"7 However, these titration therapies cannot be easily used due to the risk of adverse events or refractory ascites. Also, use of diuretics is associated with several complications such as renal failure and electrolyte disorders despite beneficial drug administration. Thus, a novel, orally available diuretic has been desired to be introduced into clinical practice; however, no drug has been launched.
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