Heart failure is an increasingly prevalent condition resulting in recurrent hospitalisations and significant mortality and morbidity. The management of heart failure has evolved, and multiple drugs have an established mortality benefit in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Although the focus should be on ensuring that patients are treated with the maximum tolerated doses of these guideline-directed therapies, diuretics continue to play a key role in the management of clinical congestion in all forms of heart failure. Clinicians play a key role in heart failure management. Familiarity with the role of diuretics and their dosing and monitoring is critical.
Getting children to take medicines can be difficult. There is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach. When selecting medicines for children, it is important to consider the child's age, swallowing ability, ease of administration and accessibility of the product. Ask the child, parent or caregiver about their preference for formulations and flavours. There are different ways to alter the taste, aftertaste and mouth feel of medicines, which may help improve palatability. Pharmacists or medicines information services can assist with advice on suitable formulations or methods of administration.