Rinfocan- Prescription Drug Information for Canadians
|
|
|
|
(Generic Name)
Furosemide, 40 mg
BRAND NAMES
Fumide
Lasix, 20 mg
Lasix, 40 mg
Lasix, 80 mg
(Also available in generic form)
TYPE OF DRUG
Diuretic.
PRESCRIBED FOR
Congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney
dysfunction, high blood pressure, and other conditions where it
may be desirable to rid the body of excess fluid.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Furosemide causes the production of urine by affecting the
kidneys. It may also cause lowered blood pressure. Furosemide
is particularly useful as a very strong drug with great diuretic
potential, when a drug with less diuretic potential would fail to
produce the desired therapeutic effect.
CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
If given in excessive quantities, Furosemide will cause depletion
of water and electrolytes. It should not be taken without constant
medical supervision and without the dose being adjusted to your
particular needs. You should not take this drug if your production
of urine has been decreased abnormally by some type of kidney
disease, or if you feel you may be allergic to it or have
experienced an allergic reaction to it in the past.
Excessive use of Furosemide will result in dehydration or
reduction in blood volume and may cause circulatory collapse
and other related problems, particularly in older adults. In
addition, because of the potent effect that this drug has on the
electrolytes in the blood--potassium, sodium, carbon dioxide, and
others--frequent laboratory evaluations of these electrolytes
should be performed during the few months of therapy and
periodically afterward.
PREGNANCY/BREAST-FEEDING
Although Furosemide has been used to treat specific conditions
in pregnancy, it should generally not be used to treat a pregnant
woman because of its potential effects on the unborn child.
Although this effect has not been seen in humans, Furosemide
can cause kidney problems in unborn animals if given to animals
during pregnancy. If your doctor feels that your case warrants
the use of Furosemide, the decision to use this drug must be
made by you and your doctor based on the potential benefits
derived from this drug as opposed to the potential problems that
may be associated with its use.
If you must take this drug during the period that you are nursing
a newborn baby, you should stop nursing and feed the baby
prepared formulas.
SENIORS
Older adults are more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Follow
your doctor's directions and report any side effects at once.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
If you are taking Furosemide you should be aware that changes
may develop in potassium and other electrolyte concentrations in
your body. In the case of hypokalemia (lowered potassium)
produced by Furosemide, you may observe these warning signs:
dryness of the mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness,
restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, muscular tiredness, low
blood pressure, decreased frequency of urination and decreased
amount of urine produced, abnormal heart rate, and stomach
upset, including nausea and vomiting. To treat this, potassium
supplements are given in the form of tablets, liquids, or powders,
or consumption of potassium-rich foods such as bananas, citrus
fruits, melons, and tomatoes is increased.
Furosemide may alter the metabolism of sugar in your body. If
you have diabetes mellitus, you may develop high blood sugar
or sugar in the urine while you are taking the drug. To treat this
problem, the dose of drugs that you are taking to treat your
diabetes will have to be altered.
In addition, people taking Furosemide have experienced one or
more of the following side effects: abdominal discomfort,
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, dizziness, light-headedness,
weakness, headache, blurred vision, fatigue, jaundice (yellowing
of the skin or whites of the eyes), acute attacks of gout, ringing
in the ears, reversible periodic impairment in hearing. There
have also been some reported cases of irreversible hearing loss.
Other side effects are dermatitis, unusual skin reactions, tingling
in the extremities, postural hypotension (or dizziness on rising
quickly from a sitting or lying position), and anemia of various
types. Rare side effects include a sweet taste in the mouth,
burning feeling in the stomach and/or mouth, thirst, increased
perspiration, and frequent urination.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Furosemide will increase (potentiate) the action of other
blood-pressure-lowering drugs. This is beneficial and is
frequently used to help lower blood pressure in patients with
hypertension.
The possibility of developing electrolyte imbalances in body
fluids is increased if you take other medications such as Digitalis
and adrenal corticosteroids while you are taking Furosemide.
If you are taking Furosemide because of congestive heart failure
and are also taking Digitalis, loss of potassium may significantly
affect the toxicity of Digitalis.
If you are taking an oral antidiabetic drug and begin taking
Furosemide, the antidiabetic dose may have to be altered.
If you are taking Lithium Carbonate, you should probably not
take a diuretic, which, by reducing the elimination of Lithium
from the blood, adds a high risk of Lithium toxicity.
Interaction with aminoglycoside antibiotics may cause periodic
hearing losses; make sure your doctor knows you are taking
Furosemide before he or she gives you an injection of an
aminoglycoside.
If you are taking high doses of Aspirin to treat arthritis or similar
diseases, and you begin to take Furosemide, you may have to
lower the dose of Aspirin because of the effect Furosemide has
on passage of Aspirin through the kidneys.
If you are taking Furosemide for the treatment of high blood
pressure or congestive heart failure, avoid over-the-counter drug
products for the treatment of coughs, colds, and allergies which
may contain stimulant drugs. Check with your pharmacist, who
can give you accurate information about any over-the-counter
drug and its potential interactions with Furosemide.
FOOD INTERACTIONS
Foods that are high in potassium, including bananas, citrus fruits,
melons, and tomatoes, should be given high priority in your daily
diet.
USUAL DOSE
Adult: 20 to 80 milligrams per day, depending on disease and
patient's response. Doses of 600 milligrams per day or even
more have been prescribed.
Infant and child: 4 to 5 milligrams per pound of body weight
daily in a single dose. If therapy is not successful, the dose may
be increased by steps of 2 to 5 milligrams, but not to more than
14 to 15 milligrams per day.
Maintenance doses are adjusted to the minimum effective level.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
If the amount of urine you produce each day is dropping or if
you suffer from significant loss of appetite, muscle weakness,
tiredness, or nausea while taking this drug, contact your doctor
immediately.
Furosemide is usually taken once a day, after breakfast. If a
second dose is needed, it should be taken no later than 2 in the
afternoon. This is to avoid waking up during the night to urinate.
If you forget to take a dose of Furosemide, take it as soon as you
remember. If it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled
dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your regular
schedule. Do not take a double dose.
Home Back to article