Pronunciation: fure-OH-se-mide
Generic Name: Furosemide
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
Furosemide is used for:
Treating fluid build-up and swelling caused by congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or kidney disease. It is also used in combination with other medicines to treat fluid build-up in the lungs. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics work by making the kidneys eliminate larger amounts of electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium salts) and water than normal (diuretic effect). Loop diuretics are useful for treating many conditions in which salt and water retention (eg, edema, swelling) is a problem.
Do NOT use Furosemide if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Furosemide
- you are unable to urinate
- you are taking chloral hydrate or ethacrynic acid
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Furosemide:
Some medical conditions may interact with Furosemide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you are allergic to sulfonamides (eg, sulfamethoxazole)
- if you have fluid in your abdomen (ascites), hearing problems, liver disease, diabetes, bladder problems, low urine output, prostate problems, kidney problems, lupus, gout, abnormal blood electrolyte (eg, potassium, sodium) levels, high blood uric acid levels, low blood protein levels, or the blood disease porphyria
- if you have had a heart attack, are dehydrated, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet
- if you eat large amounts of licorice or you use laxatives on a regular basis
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Furosemide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or corticotropin (ACTH) because the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotics (eg, codeine) because the risk of dizziness when standing may be increased
- Aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), amphotericin B, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (eg, losartan), cisplatin, ethacrynic acid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen), tacrolimus, or vancomycin because the risk of certain side effects, such as low blood pressure, serious kidney problems, hearing loss, may be increased
- Cyclosporine because the risk of developing gout may be increased
- Chloral hydrate because side effects, such as excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and changes in blood pressure, may occur
- Indomethacin or phenytoin because they may decrease Furosemide's effectiveness
- Cephalosporin antibiotics (eg, cephalexin), digoxin, lithium, medicines for high blood pressure, methotrexate, or salicylates (eg, aspirin) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Furosemide
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Furosemide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Furosemide:
Use Furosemide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Furosemide is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Furosemide at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Furosemide. Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
- Do not use Furosemide if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
- Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal.
- Furosemide may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start using it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to use your dose before 6 pm.
- If you miss a dose of Furosemide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Furosemide.
Important safety information:
- Furosemide may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Furosemide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Furosemide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Diabetes patients - Furosemide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Furosemide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Blood pressure should be monitored when taking Furosemide.
- Your doctor may also prescribe a potassium supplement while you use Furosemide. Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or other product that also has potassium in it.
- Furosemide is a strong diuretic. Using too much of this drug can lead to serious water and electrolyte (eg, potassium, sodium) loss. It is important that you be monitored by your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you develop symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte problems (eg, very dry mouth, unusual thirst, decreased urination, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps or weakness, drowsiness, sluggishness, unusual restlessness, nausea and vomiting).
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose or use for longer than prescribed without checking with your doctor.
- Furosemide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Furosemide. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
- Lab tests, including blood electrolyte (eg, potassium, sodium) levels, complete blood cell counts, or liver and kidney function, may be performed while you use Furosemide. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Furosemide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dehydration.
- Caution is advised when using Furosemide in CHILDREN; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Furosemide while you are pregnant. Furosemide is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Furosemide, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Furosemide:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Dizziness; lightheadedness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); calf pain or tenderness; chest pain; coughing up blood; dark urine; decreased urination; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing decrease or loss; numbness, burning, or tingling sensation; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte problems (eg, very dry mouth, unusual thirst, decreased urination, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps or weakness, drowsiness, sluggishness, unusual restlessness, nausea and vomiting); symptoms of high blood sugar (eg, increased thirst, hunger, or urination; confusion; drowsiness); unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vein inflammation; yellow vision; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Furosemide side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe or persistent dizziness; symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte problems (eg, very dry mouth, unusual thirst, decreased urination, confusion, fast or irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps or weakness, drowsiness, sluggishness, unusual restlessness, nausea and vomiting).
Proper storage of Furosemide:
Furosemide is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Furosemide at home, store Furosemide as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Furosemide out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Furosemide, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Furosemide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Furosemide. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Furosemide resources
- Furosemide Side Effects (in more detail)
- Furosemide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Furosemide Drug Interactions
- Furosemide Support Group
- 22 Reviews for Furosemide - Add your own review/rating
- Furosemide Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Furosemide Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
- Furosemide Monograph (AHFS DI)
- furosemide Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Lasix Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Lasix Consumer Overview
Compare Furosemide with other medications
- Ascites
- Edema
- Heart Failure
- High Blood Pressure
- Hypercalcemia
- Nonobstructive Oliguria
- Oliguria
- Pulmonary Edema
- Renal Failure
- Renal Transplant
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