Lasix

Furosemide is given to help treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling that is caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine .

Furosemide is also used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the work load 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 .

This medicine is available only with your doctor`s prescription .

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

• Tablet


• Solution

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of furosemide in children .

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of furosemide in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults, which may require caution in patients receiving furosemide .

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Amikacin


• Arsenic Trioxide


• Bepridil


• Digitoxin


• Dofetilide


• Droperidol


• Ethacrynic Acid


• Gentamicin


• Kanamycin


• Ketanserin


• Levomethadyl


• Lithium


• Metolazone


• Neomycin


• Netilmicin


• Sotalol


• Streptomycin


• Tobramycin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aceclofenac


• Acemetacin


• Alacepril


• Alclofenac


• Aliskiren


• Apazone


• Aspirin


• Benazepril


• Benoxaprofen


• Bromfenac


• Bufexamac


• Captopril


• Carprofen


• Celecoxib


• Cephaloridine


• Cholestyramine


• Cilazapril


• Clofibrate


• Clometacin


• Clonixin


• Colestipol


• Delapril


• Dexketoprofen


• Dibekacin


• Diclofenac


• Diflunisal


• Digoxin


• Dipyrone


• Droxicam


• Enalaprilat


• Enalapril Maleate


• Etodolac


• Etofenamate


• Felbinac


• Fenbufen


• Fenoprofen


• Fentiazac


• Floctafenine


• Fludrocortisone


• Flufenamic Acid


• Flurbiprofen


• Fosinopril


• Germanium


• Ginseng


• Gossypol


• Ibuprofen


• Imidapril


• Indomethacin


• Indoprofen


• Isoxicam


• Ketoprofen


• Ketorolac


• Licorice


• Lisinopril


• Lornoxicam


• Meclofenamate


• Mefenamic Acid


• Meloxicam


• Moexipril


• Nabumetone


• Naproxen


• Niflumic Acid


• Nimesulide


• Oxaprozin


• Oxyphenbutazone


• Pancuronium


• Pentopril


• Perindopril


• Phenylbutazone


• Pirazolac


• Piroxicam


• Pirprofen


• Propyphenazone


• Proquazone


• Quinapril


• Ramipril


• Rofecoxib


• Spirapril


• Sulindac


• Suprofen


• Temocapril


• Tenidap


• Tenoxicam


• Tiaprofenic Acid


• Tolmetin


• Trandolapril


• Tubocurarine


• Valdecoxib


• Vecuronium


• Zofenopril


• Zomepirac

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anuria (not able to form urine)a€”Should not use in patients with this condition .

• Blood clots or


• Blood disease or


• Dehydration or


• Gout or


• Hearing problems or


• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or


• Hypocalcemia (low calcium in the blood) or


• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or


• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or


• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or


• Hypovolemia (low blood volume) or


• Liver disease, severe (e.g., hepatic coma) or


• Systemic lupus erythematosusa€”Use with caution. This medicine may make these conditions worse .

• Diabetesa€”This medicine may increase the amount of sugar in the blood .

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)a€”Your dose of other antihypertensive medicines may need to be adjusted to prevent your blood pressure from falling too low .

• Kidney disease, severea€”Use with caution. The effects may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body .

Proper Use

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium or potassium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet .

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem . In fact, many may feel normal . It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well .

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down . You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease .

Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup .

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor`s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (oral solution or tablets):
  
  
  
  • For edema:
    
    
    
    • Adultsa€”At first, 20 to 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
    
    
    • Childrena€”Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
    
    
  
  
  • For high blood pressure:
    
    
    
    • Adultsa€”At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor will adjust your dose as needed.
    
    
    • Childrena€”Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood or urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .

This medicine may cause you to lose more potassium from your body than normal . Your doctor will monitor the potassium in your blood while you are taking this medicine. To prevent the loss of too much water and potassium, tell your doctor if you become sick with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Check with your doctor right away if you have one or more of these symptoms: dry mouth; increased thirst; muscle cramps; or nausea or vomiting .

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position . Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor .

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor .

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds .

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention .

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Chest pain


• Chills


• Cough or hoarseness


• Fever


• General feeling of tiredness or weakness


• Headache


• Lower back or side pain


• Painful or difficult urination


• Shortness of breath


• Sore throat


• Sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth


• Swollen or painful glands


• Tightness in chest


• Unusual bleeding or bruising


• Unusual tiredness or weakness


• Wheezing

Incidence not determined

• Back or leg pains


• Black, tarry stools


• Bleeding gums


• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin


• Bloating


• Blood in urine or stools


• Blurred vision


• Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings


• Changes in skin color, pain, tenderness, or swelling of foot or leg


• Clay-colored stools


• Cloudy urine


• Cold sweats


• Confusion


• Constipation


• Continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears


• Coughing up blood


• Cracks in the skin


• Darkened urine


• Diarrhea


• Difficulty breathing


• Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position


• Dry mouth


• Fast heartbeat


• Flushed, dry skin


• Fruit-like breath odor


• General body swelling


• Greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine


• Hearing loss


• Increased hunger


• Increased thirst


• Increased urination


• Indigestion


• Itching


• Joint stiffness or swelling


• Loss of appetite


• Loss of heat from the body


• Nausea or vomiting


• Nosebleeds


• Pain in joints or muscles


• Pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back


• Pale skin


• Pinpoint red spots on the skin


• Red, irritated eyes


• Red, swollen skin


• Scaly skin


• Severe abdominal pain


• Skin rash


• Stomach cramps


• Sugar in the urine


• Sweating


• Swelling of feet or lower legs


• Troubled breathing with exertion


• Unpleasant breath odor


• Unusual weight loss


• Vomiting of blood


• Yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Decreased urination


• Drowsiness


• Increase in heart rate


• Irregular heartbeat


• Irritability


• Mood changes


• Muscle cramps


• Numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands, feet, or lips


• Rapid breathing


• Seizures


• Sunken eyes


• Thirst


• Trembling


• Weak pulse


• Weakness and heaviness of legs


• Wrinkled skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention . These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not determined

• Feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings


• Hives or welts


• Increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight


• Muscle spasm


• Redness or other discoloration of skin


• Restlessness


• Sensation of spinning


• Severe sunburn


• Weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional .

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.