mersalyl

Mersalyl is an organomercury compound and mercurial diuretic that was formerly used to treat edema and elevated blood pressure. It acts primarily on the renal tubules to increase the excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equal amounts, along with water. This results in a marked decrease in blood pressure and reduction of edema. Mersalyl is the sodium salt form of mersalyl acid—a mercury-containing derivative of salicylamide—and features a Hg(II) center. Due to its toxicity (mercury-related adverse effects), it has been superseded by safer non-mercury diuretics such as thiazides and loop diuretics. Its use has been discontinued in clinical practice because of unpredictable risks including severe hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden death following intravenous administration[1][2][3][4][5][7]. Mersalyl also inhibits various biochemical functions (notably mitochondrial processes) via its interaction with sulfhydryl groups[2]. It has additionally shown some research interest for inducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression[10].

Brand names

SalyrganSalirganSalurin

Other names

mercuramidemersalyl sodiummersalyl acid