Furosemide

Description

Furosemide is a diuretic which is used to control high blood pressure and edema. It is usually taken once daily, preferably in the daytime to prevent sleep disturbances. Frequent monitoring of blood pressure and electrolytes level is necessary.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Furosemide

  • Low potassium and magnesium
  • Decreased calcium level
  • Hearing impairment
  • Headache
  • Weakness
  • Increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • Muscle spasm
  • Skin rash

Uses of Furosemide

What is it prescribed for?

  • Hypertension
  • Congestive Heart Failure
  • Edema
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine can be observed in 30 to 60 minutes after an oral dose, 30 minutes after an intramuscular dose and 5 min after an intravenous dose.
  • Duration of effect
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 6 to 8 hours after an oral dose and 2 hours after an intravenous dose.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while you are taking this medicine due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. These side effects may include dizziness and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendency has been reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

Not recommended in patients with known allergy to Furosemide or other diuretics.

Anuria

This medicine is not recommended in patients with condition Anuria (a condition wherein the kidney is unable to produce urine).
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings

Severe liver injury with Cirrhosis and Ascites

Furosemide should be used with caution in the patients suffering from liver diseases such as severe liver injuries, cirrhosis, ascites, etc. since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring of electrolytes levels and liver function is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.

Volume depletion and Electrolyte imbalance

Furosemide may alter the blood volume levels and electrolyte levels. This may cause dizziness, dry mouth, and acid-base imbalance. Close monitoring of blood pressure and electrolyte levels is necessary. Therapy with the medicine should be discontinued if these symptoms appear. Therapy may be started again once the lab tests are back to normal. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be considered under your doctor's supervision.

Hearing problem

Furosemide may increase the risk of developing a hearing problem when rapid intravenous injections are given. This risk is especially higher in patients receiving other medicines which may cause an adverse effect on the hearing. Any symptoms such as hearing difficulties, ringing in the ears, etc. should be reported to the doctor immediately. Replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.

Dizziness

This medicine may cause dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any dizziness during treatment with this medicine. Also, report any symptoms such as dizziness or lightheadedness to the doctor immediately.

Missed Dose

Oral forms: The missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. It is advisable to skip the missed dose if it is already time for your next scheduled dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one. Injection: Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.

Overdose

Oral forms: Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose. Injection: Since this medicine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be initiated if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Consumption of alcohol with Furosemide may further reduce the blood pressure due to the additive effect.

Instructions

Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while you are taking this medicine due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. These side effects may include dizziness and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Aminoglycoside antibiotics

Antidepressants

Disease interactions

Diabetes

This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of altered blood glucose levels. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary during therapy with this medicine. Appropriate corrective measures, dose adjustments, or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Furosemide as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts than prescribed. Take this medicine at daytime to prevent sleep disturbance. Drink an adequate amount of water. This medicine should be used with caution due to the risk of dizziness. Report any symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, etc. to the doctor immediately. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken in morning only

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
It works by increasing the excretion of water and sodium by preventing its reabsorption in the kidneys.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Loop diuretics

Schedule

Schedule H

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/25736

Furosemide: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682858.html

DailyMed - Furosemide tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=79d9aef8-cfb9-4f6e-ac15-f830d7ea2324

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 25 May 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~OjDUqy:1

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Information on this page was last updated on 8 Feb 2018

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.