furosemide (oral/injection)

What is the most important information I should know about furosemide?

Do not take more than your recommended dose. High doses of furosemide may cause irreversible hearing loss.

What is furosemide?

Furosemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt. This allows the salt to instead be passed in your urine.

Furosemide is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder such as nephrotic syndrome.

Furosemide is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Furosemide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking furosemide?

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• enlarged prostate, bladder obstruction, urination problems;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
• gout;
• lupus;
• diabetes; or
• a sulfa drug allergy.

How should I take furosemide?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Furosemide oral is taken by mouth. Furosemide injection is injected into a muscle or given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.

You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting if you have severe liver disease.

Measure liquid medicine carefully. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

Furosemide doses are based on weight in children. Your child's dose needs may change if the child gains or loses weight.

Furosemide will make you urinate more often and you may get dehydrated easily. Follow your doctor's instructions about using potassium supplements or getting enough salt and potassium in your diet.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need other medical tests.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using furosemide.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Furosemide is sometimes used only once, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include feeling very thirsty or hot, heavy sweating, hot and dry skin, extreme weakness, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking furosemide?

Avoid becoming dehydrated. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while you are taking furosemide.

If you have high blood pressure, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicines that can raise your blood pressure, such as diet pills or cough-and-cold medicine.

What are the possible side effects of furosemide?

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• ringing in your ears, hearing loss;
• muscle spasms or contractions;
• pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
• high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
• kidney problems --little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;
• signs of liver or pancreas problems --loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance --dry mouth, thirst, weakness, drowsiness, feeling jittery or unsteady, vomiting, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, numbness or tingling, muscle cramps, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects may include:

• diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;
• numbness or tingling;
• headache, dizziness; or
• blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect furosemide?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective.

If you also take sucralfate, take your furosemide dose 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take sucralfate.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• another diuretic, especially ethacrynic acid;
• chloral hydrate;
• lithium;
• phenytoin;
• an injected antibiotic;
• cancer medicine, such as cisplatin;
• heart or blood pressure medicine; or
• salicylates such as aspirin, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, KneeRelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect furosemide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about furosemide.