Which type of diuretic is most likely to cause potassium depletion in patients?

Loop diuretics are most likely to cause potassium depletion in patients due to their mechanism of action. They work by inhibiting the sodium-potassium-chloride co-transporter in the ascending loop of Henle in the nephron. This inhibition leads to increased excretion of sodium, chloride, and water, effectively reducing blood volume and blood pressure. However, as potassium is also affected, there is a significant loss of potassium in the urine, which can lead to hypokalemia (low serum potassium levels).

In contrast, thiazide diuretics can also lead to potassium loss, but their effect on potassium is typically less pronounced than that of loop diuretics. Potassium-sparing diuretics are designed to help retain potassium in the body, making them an unlikely candidate for causing potassium depletion. Lastly, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, while they can affect electrolyte levels, do not have a prominent effect on potassium levels compared to loop diuretics. Hence, loop diuretics are recognized for their potential to cause significant potassium depletion in patients.