Author: James Anderson
Furosemide: medicine to treat high blood pressure and oedema
If your doctor thinks that furosemide isn’t working for you, they may adjust your dose of the drug. If the drug still isn’t working, they may discuss other treatment options with you. Older adults have a higher risk for orthostatic hypotension.
Furosemide injection is given in a muscle, under the skin, or in a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth. Don’t take more furosemide oral tablets than your doctor prescribes. Taking more than your prescribed dosage can lead to dangerous side effects. But if you have fast weight loss while taking this drug, call your doctor right away. You may be having dehydration, which is a serious side effect of furosemide.
FDA warning: Dehydration risk
Furosemide belongs to a group of medicines called loop diuretics (also known as water pills). It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine. Furosemide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease.
If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. Furosemide may be used as part of combination therapy to treat high blood pressure. This means you may need to take it with other medications. Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney function, blood mineral levels such as potassium) should be done while you are taking this medication. Babies born early (premature infants) and children may be more sensitive to certain effects of this drug, such as kidney stones. Using too much of this drug can lead to serious water and salt/mineral loss.
Tell your doctor if you have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or any type of scan using a radioactive dye that is injected into a vein. Financial assistance to help you pay for furosemide oral tablets may be available. Medicine Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds are two websites that provide resources to help reduce the cost of furosemide oral tablets. Costs of prescription drugs can vary depending on many factors.
Furosemide is in a class of medications called diuretics (‘water pills’). It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. Furosemide is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Edema can be caused by other medical conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disease. Furosemide is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Why is this medication prescribed?
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly, and blood tests should be done occasionally. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
- This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
- Ask your doctor for more information about this side effect.
- Learn more about some of the side effects furosemide oral tablets may cause.
If you’re allergic to sulfa drugs or have had an allergic reaction to any drugs in the past, tell your doctor. When you first start taking furosemide, be careful when changing positions until you become used to the drug’s effects. Your doctor will check your electrolyte levels and order other blood tests to see how furosemide is working for you. Furosemide oral tablets are a generic drug, which means they’re an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
All About Furosemide Oral Tablets
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. If you have diabetes, furosemide may make it harder to control your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor.
High blood pressure adds to the workload 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.
Furosemide oral tablets and liquid are taken by mouth. Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon). You should not use furosemide if you are allergic to it, if you are unable to urinate or have hepatic cirrhosis. No, stopping furosemide doesn’t cause withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can provide more information about the benefits and risks of furosemide for these uses.
What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication?
Overdose symptoms may include feeling very thirsty or hot, heavy sweating, hot and dry skin, extreme weakness, or fainting. If you have high blood pressure, keep using furosemide even if you feel well. Do not bathe, shower, swim or exercise while wearing the infusor. Also, do not apply any products such as lotions or creams in the area where the infusor is placed. Furoscix is not for chronic use and should be replaced with oral diuretics as soon as practical. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel fine.
In some cases, the drug can cause a severe skin reaction called Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Talk with your doctor about all of your medications and health history. They can tell you if you have an increased risk for orthostatic hypotension. If you’d like to know more about taking Lasix instead of furosemide oral tablets, talk with your doctor. View this Healthline article to learn more about the differences between generic and brand-name drugs. A low-salt diet puts you at even higher risk of low blood pressure.