Drug Uses

Treating high blood pressure or water retention (swelling) associated with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor. Lasix is a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics make 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) are a problem.

How To Use

Use Lasix as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Take Lasix by mouth with or without food. If you take cholestyramine, colestipol, or sucralfate, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take them with Lasix . Lasix may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm. If you miss a dose of Lasix , 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.

Possible Side Effects

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; sensitivity to sunlight. 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; confusion; dark urine; decreased or persistent increased urination; drowsiness; dry mouth; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or sore throat; hearing decrease or loss; muscle pain/cramps/weakness; restlessness; ringing in the ears; severe or persistent nausea, vomiting, or dizziness; shortness of breath; sluggishness; stomach pain; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual thirst or hunger; unusual tiredness or weakness; vein inflammation; yellow vision; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Precautions

Patients allergic to sulfa may also be allergic to furosemide because of a similarity in the chemical structure of the medications. Furosemide should be avoided in kidney failure. Even though furosemide is important in treating excess fluid accumulation in patients with cirrhosis, sudden loss of fluid and electrolytes in these patients can worsen kidney function and even cause the patient to go into a coma. Furosemide can cause lowering of blood potassium, sodium, and magnesium levels. Low potassium and magnesium levels can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, especially in patients already taking digoxin (Lanoxin). Please visit the digoxin (Lanoxin) site for further information. Blood uric acid levels can increase during furosemide treatment, but precipitation of acute gout is rare. Furosemide may increase the toxic effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics on the ear, especially in patients with kidney dysfunction. Furosemide reduces the kidney excretion of lithium and can lead to lithium toxicity. Furosemide may impair kidney function when administered together with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Periodic blood tests are performed to monitor kidney function and electrolytes during treatment with furosemide.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, confusion, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Missed dose

Lasix is sometimes used only once, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Storage

Keep Lasix in the container it came in, tightly closed, and away from direct light. Store at room temperature.