Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Furosemide

Furosemide: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is furosemide?

Furosemide is a prescription drug used to treat high blood pressure and edema. It is a loop diuretic and aids the kidney in removing excess fluid and salt from the body. Thus, it treats fluid buildup in cases of kidney disease or heart failure. Furosemide can come in the form of tablets, injections, or liquid solutions. Doctors recommend taking this medicine once or twice a day. Increasing the dosage on your own can lead to health complications. You must follow the right diet and increase your water intake after consulting as per their instructions.

What are the uses of furosemide?

Furosemide belongs to a class of diuretics or water pills. You can take it either with or without food as it usually doesn’t upset the stomach. It is used for the following:

  • Furosemide reduces high blood pressure.
  • It lessens the excess fluid in the body caused by edema.
  • It prevents heart attacks and strokes.
  • Being a diuretic, furosemide prevents kidney problems by removing excess water and salt from the body and passing it as excess urine.

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    What are the side effects of furosemide?

    The side effects of furosemide are:

    • Frequent urination
    • Constipation
    • Diarrhea
    • Headache
    • Blurred vision
    • Dizziness
    • Tiredness
    • Fainting
    • Confusion
    • Muscle cramps
    • Vomiting
    • Excessive thirst

    Some of the side effects of this medicine are serious. Contact your doctor if you experience any of these:

    • Fever
    • Rash
    • Difficulty in breathing or swallowing
    • Ringing in the ears
    • Loss of hearing
    • Blisters
    • Itching
    • Yellowing of the skin

    Do not hesitate to contact our team at Yashoda Hospitals for any side-effect-related concerns or other medical queries.

    What is Furosemide

    Uses of Furosemide

    Side effects of Furosemide

    References

    1. Diuretics for Heart Failure | Fluid Intake With Heart Failure
    2. Furosemide: medicine to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and edema
    3. Furosemide Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Pictures, Warnings & Dosing
    4. Furosemide | C12H11ClN2O5S – PubChem

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Furosemide

    Furosemide helps the kidneys get rid of excess salt. So, when taking this medicine, you must follow a low-salt diet. Avoid foods high in salt, such as processed foods. Avoid adding extra salt to your food, too. Furosemide cannot work effectively if the diet is consistently high in salt.

    Bumetanide belongs to the class of diuretics, which is the same as furosemide. As per studies, it is not harmful to take both medicines together as no adverse interactions have been found. However, abide by your doctor’s prescription. Take a bumetanide and furosemide combination only if advised to avoid any serious side effects.

    Furosemide is a commonly used veterinary medicine. It treats heart failure and fluid retention in cats. Doctors recommend 1–2 mg of furosemide per kg for cats. It works rapidly and provides relief within a couple of hours. This medicine is often used for the long-term treatment of heart failure.

    Needless to say, you should not take furosemide if you have a proven allergy to the medicine. It is also not recommended for those who suffer from low blood pressure, dehydration, diabetes, liver disease, gout, lactose intolerance, and Addison’s disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands). If you have difficulty in passing urine, you need to inform your doctor before taking furosemide.

    Stay well-hydrated when taking furosemide is important, as it removes excess water from the kidneys. Drink water at frequent, regular intervals. Consume a quantity appropriate to the ailment you’re suffering from. For example, patients with severe heart failure should limit their daily intake to 2.5 liters. Consult your doctor to know how much fluid and water you can drink.

    Furosemide acts on the kidney within one hour. The effects of one dose of this drug last for 6 hours. Hence, ensure you’re taking the last dose for the day about 8 hours before bedtime. It may take at least 3–4 weeks for the drug to have its full effect.

    Furosemide, which is a diuretic, gets rid of unnecessary fluids from the kidney. This may result in dehydration and swelling of the kidneys. Therefore, follow your doctor’s dosage instructions and all precautions when on this course. Drinking enough water to cleanse toxins will help in safeguarding the kidneys from toxic build-up.

    Yes. Frusemide is one of the many synonyms for the furosemide compound. Both names refer to the same diuretic that treats high blood pressure and edema (water retention). Frusemide or furosemide is called a ‘water pill’ as consuming it results in excess fluid and water being released as urine.

    Doctors recommend one to two tablets per day. The recommended dose for those with high blood pressure is 20–80 mg per day. The dose for those with fluid retention is 20–120 mg per day. Doctors recommend one tablet in the morning and one at lunchtime, or before 4 pm.

    Furosemide reduces the fluid in the kidney. This can lower the level of potassium in your blood and is a common side effect. It is crucial to keep a check on your potassium levels and kidney function when on furosemide. Your doctor will prescribe periodic tests for the same.

    Consult our medical experts at Yashoda Hospitals for more information on care and management of kidney and heart health.