Phil Pharmawealth/Karnataka Furosemide (Brand name: Lasix)

Common use

Furosemide is a loop diuretic causing fast and short diuresis. It possesses natriuretic effect and also decreases levels of Cl- in blood, increases excretion of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+. Penetrating into a renal tubule in ascending thick limb of Henle's loop it blocks re-absorption of Na+ and Cl-. Due to increased excretion of Na+ secondary intensified excretion of water occurs and as well as increased secretion of K+ in distal part of the renal tubule. Simultaneously excretion of Ca2+ and Mg2+ increases. Furosemide is used to treat edema syndrome in patients with chronic heart failure (degree II and III), cirrhosis, diseases of kidneys, acute heart failure (pulmonary edema), brain edema, hypertensive crisis, arterial hypertension and others.

Dosage and direction

Take exactly as it was prescribed by your doctor.

Precautions

Before using Furosemide, consult your doctor if you suffer from kidney disease, liver disease, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs. Avoid becoming dehydrated as Furosemide makes you urinate more often. Do not stop taking the drug even if you feel fine as high blood pressure often has no symptoms. Avoid taking the drug if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, acute kidney failure with anuria, severe liver failure, liver coma and precoma, stenois of urethra, acute glomerulonephritis, urinary tract obstruction, precoma, hyperglycemic coma, gout, arterial hypotension, heart attack, pancreatitis and others.

Possible side effect

Contact your physician for medical attention if you have signs of allergy or any of the following conditions: dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting; weakness, drowsiness, restless, or light-headed, fast or uneven heartbeat, muscle pain, less than usual urination or absence of urination, easy bruising or bleeding, red blistering skin rash, hair loss.

Drug interaction

Hearing damage may occur if Furosemide is administered with aminoglycoside antibiotics (gentamicin and others) or Edecrin - another diuretic. Concomitant use of Furosemide and aspirin may cause high blood levels of aspirin and aspirin toxicity. Furosemide is able to reduce excretion of lithium by the kidneys. Sucralfate (Carafate) reduces the action of Furosemide. Intake of Ingestion of Furosemide and Sucralfate should be separated by two hours.

Missed dose

The medication is sometimes administered for single use so you will not need a dosing schedule. If you take Furosemide regularly and forgot to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for the next intake. Resume your regular schedule. Do not compensate the missed dose by taking an extra one.

Overdose

In case of loss of appetite, ringing in ears, severe weakness, dizziness, confusion, lightheadedness, or fainting, seek for immediate doctor's attention.

Storage

Keep away from children at room temperature in a dry and dark place.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.