Meralluride is a

mercurial diuretic Mercurial diuretics are a form of renal diuretic containing mercury. Although previously widely used, they have largely been superseded by safer diuretics such as thiazides, and are hardly used anymore. History and mechanism Inorganic mercury co ...

. In a 1963 study done with rats, it was thought to act on the proximal tubules of the kidneys. Studies in the late 1970s showed the compound had antimicrobial effect against ''Proteus'' bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections, with varying degrees of effectiveness based on the substances mixed with the drug. Published toxicity reports include one patient who "experienced violent delayed febrile reactions after the fifth, sixth, and seventh intramuscular injections of Mercuhydrin". Studies from Japan showed the compound caused ventricular fibrillation in a high percentage of animals when compared to

furosemide Furosemide is a loop diuretic medication used to treat fluid build-up due to heart failure, liver scarring, or kidney disease. It may also be used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It can be taken by injection into a vein or by mouth ...

; the furosemide was found to be easier to administer to patients in increasing doses without these side-effects.

References

Mercurial diuretics Ethers Ureas Withdrawn drugs {{organic-compound-stub