Furosemide is a diuretic. It works by stimulating the kidneys to eliminate toxins from the body such as urine, excess water and minerals.
What is Furosemide?
Furosemide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure.
It also finds application in the treatment of edema (accumulation of fluid) associated with several disorders, including cardiovascular, kidney or liver problems.
How should Furosemide be taken?
Furosemide is assumed orally, generally in the form of tablets or liquid solution. Often the dosage is one or two doses per day, but when it is used to treat edema it may be prescribed only for a few days of the week.
Side effects associated with Furosemide
Possible adverse effects of Furosemide include the following:
- frequent urination
- tarnished vision
- headache
- constipation
- diarrhea
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if you experience:
- temperature
- tinnitus
- hearing loss
- skin rash
- urticaria
- sores or flaking
- itch
- difficulty breathing
- difficulty swallowing
- jaundice
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Furosemide
Furosemide may increase the sensitivity of the skin to the rays of sun. During this treatment you should avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and use sunglasses and protective gear.
The drug can also cause dizziness and fainting when standing up from a lying position. It is better to increase the dosage with caution, especially in the first days of treatment.
In case of treatment with Sucralfate, intake should take place 2 hours before or 2 hours after that of Furosemide.
Before taking Furosemide, it is important to inform your doctor:
- If you have any allergy to the active substance, its excipients or any other medication
- If you are taking any other medicinal products, herbal supplements or sedatives. Mentioning in particular: antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor antagonists, aspirin and other salicylates, barbiturates, corticosteroids, cisplatin, cyclosporine, digoxin, ethacrynic acid, indomethacin, laxatives, lithium, medications for diabetes, high blood pressure and pain, methotrexate, and phenytoin probenecid
- If you have (or have suffered) from disorders that prevent the complete emptying of the bladder, diabetes, gout, lupus erythematosus, liver or kidney disease
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
