Ciba-geigy Corporation

Hellmut Ueberwasser

Michel Biollaz

Georg Anner

Peter Wieland

Novel 19-oxygenated steroids of the 20-spiroxane series of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.3 is a lower alkyl radical carrying an oxygen-containing functional group and R.sup.4 is two hydrogen atoms or an oxo group, and which carry a double bond or a methylene group in the 6,7-position or carry a lower alkanoylthio group in the 7.alpha.-position, and the corresponding 17.beta.-hydroxy-21-carboxylic acids of the formula ##STR2## in which R.sup.3 is as defined above, and which carry a double bond or a methylene group in the 6,7-position, as well as salts thereof and 1,2-dehydro derivatives of all of these compounds are advantageous as potassium-saving diuretics in therapy since they antagonize the physiological effects of aldosterone but have only slight side effects on sexual functions of the body. The compounds are obtainable by conventional general preparation processes of steroid chemistry.

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Riehen, Switzerland

Hellmut Ueberwasser