Furosemide (Oral Route)

Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

ARTICLE SECTIONS

US Brand Names

Furocot
Lasix

Description

Furosemide belongs to a group of medicines called loop diuretics or "water pills". Furosemide is given to help treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling that is caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine .

Furosemide is also used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the work load of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet
Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of furosemide in children .

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of furosemide in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults, which may require caution in patients receiving furosemide .

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Arsenic Trioxide
Bepridil
Digitoxin
Dofetilide
Droperidol
Ethacrynic Acid
Ketanserin
Levomethadyl
Lithium
Sotalol

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Anuria (not able to form urine)—Should not use in patients with this condition .

Blood clots or
Blood disease or
Dehydration or
Gout or
Hearing problems or
Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or
Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or
Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or
Liver disease, severe (e.g., hepatic coma) or
Systemic lupus erythematosus—Use with caution. This medicine may make these conditions worse .

Diabetes—This medicine may increase the amount of sugar in the blood .

Hypertension (high blood pressure)—Your dose of other antihypertensive medicines may need to be adjusted to prevent your blood pressure from falling too low .

Kidney disease, severe—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body .

Proper Use

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium or potassium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet .

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well .

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease .

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (oral solution or tablets):
- For edema:
  - Adults—At first, 20 to 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
  - Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor .
- For high blood pressure:
  - Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood or urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

This medicine may cause you to lose more potassium from your body than normal. Your doctor will monitor the potassium in your blood while you are taking this medicine. To prevent the loss of too much water and potassium, tell your doctor if you become sick with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Check with your doctor right away if you have one or more of these symptoms: dry mouth; increased thirst; muscle cramps; or nausea or vomiting .

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor .

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor .

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds .

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Chest pain
Chills
Cough or hoarseness
Fever
General feeling of tiredness or weakness
Headache
Lower back or side pain
Painful or difficult urination
Shortness of breath
Sore throat
Sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
Swollen or painful glands
Tightness in chest
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Wheezing

Incidence not determined

Back or leg pains
Black, tarry stools
Bleeding gums
Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
Bloating
Blood in urine or stools
Blurred vision
Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
Changes in skin color, pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg
Clay-colored stools
Cloudy urine
Cold sweats
Confusion
Constipation
Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
Coughing up blood
Cracks in the skin
Darkened urine
Diarrhea
Difficulty breathing
Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
Dry mouth
Fast heartbeat
Flushed, dry skin
Fruit-like breath odor
General body swelling
Greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
Hearing loss
Increased hunger
Increased thirst
Increased urination
Indigestion
Itching
Joint stiffness or swelling
Loss of appetite
Loss of heat from the body
Nausea or vomiting
Nosebleeds
Pain in joints or muscles
Pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
Pale skin
Pinpoint red spots on the skin
Red, irritated eyes
Red, swollen skin
Scaly skin
Severe abdominal pain
Skin rash
Stomach cramps
Sugar in the urine
Sweating
Swelling of feet or lower legs
Troubled breathing with exertion
Unpleasant breath odor
Unusual weight loss
Vomiting of blood
Yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Decreased urination
Drowsiness
Increase in heart rate
Irregular heartbeat
Irritability
Mood changes
Muscle cramps
Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands, feet, or lips
Rapid breathing
Seizures
Sunken eyes
Thirst
Trembling
Weak pulse
Weakness and heaviness of legs
Wrinkled skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not determined