Lasix

What is Lasix?

Lasix is a loop diuretic that stops your body from absorbing excessive salt. The salt is then excreted in the urine.Lasix is used for the treatment of fluid accumulation and oedema in patients with congestive cardiac failure or liver disease.Hypertension is treated with Lasix.

Warnings

Lasix should not be used if you cannot urinate.This medicine will not be more effective if you take more than the recommended dosage. Furosemide in high doses can cause irreversible loss of hearing.Tell your doctor before using Lasix if you suffer from kidney disease, an enlarged prostate or urination issues, cirrhosis, other liver diseases, high cholesterol, lupus, or diabetes, an electrolyte balance, or a sulfa drug allergy.Inform your doctor if you've recently undergone an MRI scan (magnetic-resonance imaging) or a type of scan that uses a radioactive dye injected directly into your veins. Take only the recommended dose of this medication.Even if you're feeling fine, you should continue to take Lasix if you're being treated for hypertension. High blood pressure can often be symptomless.Inform your physician of all medications taken.. Lasix should not be taken with certain drugs.

Before you take this drug

Lasix should not be used if you have an allergy to furosemide or if your hepatic cirrhosis is severe.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Lasix will be safe for you:

• An electrolyte imbalance is a low potassium or magnesium level in the blood.
• Bladder obstruction or other urination issues;
• Gout;
• Lupus;
• Diabetes;
• Sulfa drugs can cause an allergic reaction.
• Kidney disease
• Cirrhosis and other liver diseases

Inform your doctor if an MRI or other type of scan that uses a radioactive dye injected in a vein is being performed. Furosemide and contrast dyes can damage your kidneys.Furosemide is not known to harm a baby in utero. IInform your physician immediately if you are expecting or plan on becoming pregnant.Breastfeeding while taking Lasix may not be recommended. Consult your doctor if you are concerned. Lasix can slow down breast milk production.

How to take Lasix?

Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions on the prescription label.Use only the recommended dose. High doses may cause irreversible loss of hearing.Weight is used to determine the dose for children and adolescents. If your child loses or gains weight, the dose may change.Lasix can cause you to urinate frequently and dehydrate easily. You should follow your doctor's advice about potassium supplements and getting enough potassium and salt in your diet.You may also need to undergo other tests.If you suffer from high blood pressure, continue to take Lasix despite feeling well. High pressure is often asymptomatic.Tell your surgeon that you use Lasix if you need surgery.Store away from moisture, heat, and light at room temperature.

Details on dosage

Adult Lasix Dose Typical for Ascites:

Oral: Initial dosage: 20 to 80mg orally, once. You may repeat the dose or increase it by 20 or 40% no earlier than six to eight hours after your previous dose to achieve the desired diuretic effects.
Maintenance dose: Administer doses that produce the desired diuretic effects once or twice daily (e.g., at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

Adult Lasix Dose:

Oral: Initial dosage: 20 to 80mg orally, once. You may repeat the dose or increase it by 20 or 40% no earlier than six to eight hours after your previous dose to achieve the desired diuretic effects.
Maintenance dose: Administer doses that produce the desired diuretic effects once or twice daily (e.g., at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

Adult dosage of Lasix for oedema:

Oral: 20–80 mg once orally; repeat the dose or increase it by 20–40 mg within 6–8 hours of the initial dose to achieve the desired diuretic effects.
Maintenance dose: Administer doses that produce the desired diuretic effects once or twice daily (e.g., at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

The adult dose of Lasix is usually prescribed for nephrotic syndrome.

Oral: Initial dosage: 20 to 80mg orally, once. You may repeat the dose or increase it by 20 or 40% no earlier than six to eight hours after your previous dose to achieve the desired diuretic effects.
Maintenance dose: Administer doses that produce the desired diuretic effects once or twice daily (e.g., at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

Adult dose of Lasix in renal failure:

Oral: Initial dosage: 20 to 80mg orally, once. You may repeat the dose or increase it by 20 or 40% no earlier than six to eight hours after your previous dose to achieve the desired diuretic effects.
Maintenance dose: Administer doses that produce the desired diuretic effects once or twice daily (e.g., at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

Adult Lasix Dosage:

Oral: Initial dosage: 20 to 80mg orally, once. You may repeat the dose or increase it by 20 or 40% no earlier than six to eight hours after your previous dose to achieve the desired diuretic effects.
Maintenance dose: Administer doses that produce the desired diuretic effects once or twice daily (e.g., at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.).

Comments:
This drug can be given for two to four consecutive days per week.
When doses exceeding 80 mg/day for long periods are administered, it is important to monitor the patient's condition and perform laboratory tests.

The adult dose of Lasix is usually given for pulmonary oedema.

Oral: Initial dosage: 80 mg/day. Usually divided into two doses of 40 mg twice daily,

Use: Hypertension can be treated alone or with other antihypertensive drugs.

Maximum adult dose: 600 mg/day for patients with clinically severe edematous conditions.

Usual paediatric dose for oedema:

Oral: Initial dosage: 2 mg/kg once orally; if diuretic response is not satisfactory with the initial dose, increase the dose by 1 mg/kg. The dose should be administered no earlier than 6–8 hours after the first dose.
Maintain the dose at the minimum effective dose.
Maximum dose: 6 mg/kg

Use: To treat oedema caused by congestive cardiac failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome, particularly when a diuretic agent is required.

What happens if I miss the dose?

Sometimes Lasix is only taken once. You may not have a regular dosing regimen. If you use the medication regularly, take it as soon as possible, but skip a missed dose if your next dose is near. Never take two doses of the same medication at once.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poison exposure and seek immediate medical advice or attention.Overdose symptoms include extreme thirst or heat, sweating and hot skin, extreme fatigue, or fainting.

What should be avoided?

You may get dizzy if you stand up quickly from a seated or lying position.Avoid dehydration. You should follow your doctor's advice about how much liquid you can drink when you use Lasix.Alcohol consumption can have side effects when taken with this medicationLasix can make you burn more quickly. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and use sunblock (SPF 30 or higher).Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have high blood pressure before taking any medications that could raise it, like diet pills or cold and cough medicine.

Side effects of Lasix

If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction to Lasix, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction like fever, a sore neck, burning eyes, skin pain, or blistering, call 911.

Lasix may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
• Hearing loss; ringing in the ears;
• Muscle spasms and contractions
• Pale skin, easy bruising, and unusual bleeding
• High blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urination, and a fruity odor in the breath;
• Kidney disease: swelling, less urination, feeling tired, or short of breath
• Signs that you have liver or pancreas issues: loss of appetite, upper abdominal pain (that can spread to the back), vomiting or nausea, dark urine, or jaundice.
• Signs and symptoms of electrolyte depletion: increased thirst or urination; constipation; muscle weakness; leg cramps; numbness, tingling, or numbness in the legs; feeling jittery or fluttering; or feeling jittery.

Common Lasix side effects

• Diarrhea; constipation; loss of appetite
• Numbness or tingling
• Headache, dizziness,
• Blurred vision

There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing symptoms. For FDA reporting purposes, dial 1-800-FDA-1088.

Interaction with other drug

Some medicines should not be taken together. Using certain drugs together can cause side effects and/or make them less effective.

Take your Lasix 2 hours before or after taking suralfate.

Tell your doctor all of your other medications, including:

• Ethacrynic acid is a diuretic.
• Methotrexate;
• Chloral hydrate;
• Lithium;
• Phenytoin;
• Anti-biotic
• Cancer medicine such as cisplatin
• Heart or blood pressure medication;
• Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These include aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (Indomethacin), celecoxib (Aleve), and many others.

This list is incomplete. Furosemide may interact with other drugs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not encompass all possible drug interactions.