Furosemide (fure-OH-se-mide)

Treats fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension). This medicine is a diuretic ("water pill").

Brand Name(s):

Lasix, Furosemide

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.
• If this medicine upsets your stomach, you may take it with food.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. You may need to eat foods that are high in potassium (such as oranges or bananas) and low in sodium while you are using this medicine.
• Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using bepridil (Vascor®), cisplatin (Platinol®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), succinylcholine (Anectine®, Quelicin®), tubocurarine, a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), other medicine for high blood pressure (such as candesartan, enalapril, irbesartan, lisinopril, losartan, olmesartan, valsartan, Accupril®, Atacand®, Avapro®, Benicar®, Cozaar®, Diovan®, Hyzaar®, Lotrel®, or Zestril®), or a diuretic or "water pill" (such as bumetanide, hydrochlorothiazide, Hyzaar®, or Zestoretic®).
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), doxazosin (Cardura®), indomethacin (Indocin®), mecamylamine (Inversine®), methotrexate (Folex®, Rheumatrex®), norepinephrine (Levophed®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), medicine for infection (such as amikacin, cephalexin, gentamicin, streptomycin, Amidin®, Garamycin®, or Keflex®), or a pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, Aleve®, Celebrex®, or Motrin®).
• Tell your doctor if you are also using a steroid medicine (such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, prednisone, or Medrol®), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), licorice, or laxatives.
• If you are taking sucralfate (Carafate®), take this medicine 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking furosemide.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (cirrhosis), anemia, diabetes, gout, hearing problems, low blood pressure, low blood volume, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Tell your doctor if you have a mineral imbalance with calcium, magnesium, potassium, or sodium in the blood. Make sure your doctor knows if you have an enlarged prostate, low protein in the blood, trouble urinating, or an allergy to sulfa drugs (such as sulfamethoxazole, sulfasalazine, sulfisoxazole, Azulfidine®, Bactrim®, Gantrisin®, or Septra®).
• This medicine may cause you or your child to lose more potassium from your body than normal (hypokalemia). This is more likely to occur if you have liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), or if you are using this medicine together with steroids (cortisone-like medicines), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), large amounts of licorice, or laxatives for a long time. Tell your doctor if you become sick with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and drink fluids to prevent getting dehydrated. 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 suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.
• Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you or your child have a sudden decrease in hearing or loss of hearing. You may also have dizziness or ringing in the ears with the hearing problem. Tell your doctor if you have dizziness or lightheadedness; a feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings; or a sensation of spinning.
• This medicine may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you or your child are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, 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.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• Your doctor will need to check your blood or urine at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments.
• Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any symptoms of the condition. In fact, most patients 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.
• 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 might 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, strokes, or kidney disease.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, problems urinating, or nausea or vomiting.
• Fever chills, cough, or pain in the side or lower back.
• Hearing loss, or ringing in the ears.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Severe diarrhea or stomach pain.
• Skin rash or hives.
• Unusual bleeding or bruising.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes, or seeing a yellow haze in your vision.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Loss of appetite.
• Stomach cramps.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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