FUROSEMIDE (fur-OH-se-mide)
Other Names for this Medication (Brand Name)
Aisemide, Aldalix, Aldic, Aluzine, Anfuramaide, Apo-Frusemide, Apo-Furosemide, Aquarid, Aquasin, Arasemide, Beronald, Bioretic, Bristab, Bristurin, Cetasix, Depix, Desal, Desdemin, Di-Ademil, Dirine, Disal, Discoid, Disemide, Diucardin, Diumide-K, Diural, Diurapid, Diuretic Salt, Diurin, Diurolasa, Diusemide, Diusil, Diuzol, Dranex, Dryptal, Durafurid, Edemid, Edenol, Eliur, Elodrine, Endural, Errolon, Eutensin, Farsix, Finuret, Fluidrol, Fluss, Franyl, Frumex, Frumide, Frumil, Frusedan, Frusema, Frusemin, Frusenex, Frusetic, Frusid, Fulsix, Fuluvamide, Fuluvamine, Furanthril, Furanthryl, Furantril, Furanturil, Furesis, Furetic, Furex, Furfan, Furix, Furmid, Furo-Basan, Furo-Puren, Furobeta, Furocot, Furodiurol, Furodrix, Furomen, Furomex, Furomide M.D., Furorese, Furosan, Furose, Furosedon, Furosemix, Furoside, Furosifar, Furosix, Furoter, Furovite, Fursol, Fusid, Golan, Hissuflux, Hydol, Hydrenox, Hydrex, Hydro, Hydro-Rapid, Hydroled, Impugan, Jenafusid, Katlex, Kofuzon, Kolkin, Kutrix, Lasemid, Lasex, Lasiletten, Lasilix, Lasix, Lasix Retard, Lasix Special, Laxur, Lazix, Leodrine, Less Diur, Liside, Logirene, Lowpston, Lowpstron, Luscek, Macasirool, Marsemide, Mirfat, Mita, Moilarorin, Myrosemide, Nadis, Nelsix, Neo-Renal, Novosemide, Octan Draselny, Odemase, Odemex, Oedemex, Olmagran, Polysquall A, Prefemin, Profemin, Promedes, Promide, Protargen, Puresis, Radisemide, Radonna, Radouna, Retep, Rodiuran, Rontyl, Rosemide, Rosis, Rusyde, Sal Diureticum, Salinex, Salix, Salurex, Salurid, Saluron, Seguril, Selectofur, Sigasalur, Sisuril, Spirofur, Synephron, Transit, Trofurit, Uremide, Uresix, Urex, Urex-M, Urian, Uridon, Uritol, Urosemide, Vergonil, Vesix, Yidoli, Zafimida
Appearance
Small white or yellow tablets, with 20mg or 40mg of Furosemide. Clear fluid for injection into the bloodstream.
Why this Medication is Used
Furosemide is used to reduce the amount of water in the body, by increasing urine production by the kidneys. Reduced body water can lower the blood pressure or remove any retained water from areas like the legs, arms or lungs. Furosemide can also help to reduce the level of calcium in the blood.
How do you take this Medication
Furosemide tablets are swallowed with a little bit of water. The tablets should be taken in the morning, after breakfast. Afternoon doses, if needed, should not be taken later than 6 in the evening (otherwise, you may need to get up at night to go to the washroom). Furosemide injection will be given by your nurse or doctor.
Precautions
Furosemide can cause you to lose potassium from the body. You can increase the potassium in your body by eating foods rich in potassium (such as oranges, bananas or orange juice) or by taking a potassium supplement (as ordered by your doctor). Your dietitian can help you choose other potassium-rich foods.
You may feel dizzy or lightheaded when you get up in the morning. Get up slowly from lying or sitting down. Dizziness can be worse in hot weather, or after drinking alcohol. Try to limit the amount of alcohol you drink and avoid standing or staying in the sun for long periods of time.
Furosemide can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Stay out of the sun as much as possible. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and use a sunscreen preparation (SPF of 30 or more).
If you miss a dose of this medication, take the dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, do not double dose.
Store this medication in a cool, dry place, and out of the reach of children.
For more information on this medication, please call your doctor or nurse.
| SIDE EFFECTS | PREVENTION | WHAT YOU SHOULD DO |
| MORE COMMON: | ||
| Dizziness when getting up from a lying or sitting position | Take your time getting up | Tell your doctor or nurse if this bothers you. |
| LESS COMMON: | Don’t drive if your vision is blurred | |
| Blurred vision | Tell your doctor or nurse if this bothers you. | |
| RARE: | ||
| Easy bruising or bleeding. Black, tar-like stools. | Use sharp objects with care. Use a soft toothbrush. Tell your doctor before dental work is done. | Phone your doctor immediately if bleeding or bruising is unusual or will not stop, or go to the Emergency Department. |
| Yellow eyes or skin | Your doctor will check your liver function | Tell your doctor as soon as possible |
| Dark frothy urine | ||
| Joint pain, loss of balance | Check with your doctor or nurse as soon as possible. | |
| Ringing in ears, hearing loss | ||
| Skin rash | Tell your doctor or nurse if this bothers you. | |
| SIGNS OF LOW POTASSIUM: | WHAT YOU SHOULD DO | |
| Dry mouth, increase thirst | Irregular heartbeat or weak pulse | Eat potassium-rich foods |
| Muscle cramps/pain | Unusual tiredness | Call your doctor if these symptoms persist, or if they become severe |
| Nausea and vomiting | Your doctor may order a potassium tablet | |
Jennifer is a clinical pharmacologist. She helps doctors of all medical specialties choose medications. Jennifer consults about drug dosage, interactions, and side effects.