Drug Uses

Lasix being a powerful diuretic is used in conjunction with certain other blood pressure pills for the treatment of high blood pressure. Furosemide is mainly used in the treatment of excessive fluid accumulation along with swelling of the body which is mainly caused by heart failure, cirrhosis or chronic kidney failure, and even nephrotic syndrome.

Usage

Following the dosage instructions of your doctor is the best way to use any medication. If you are unsure or do not remember the instructions then you may read the medicine label for more detailed information.

Please drink a full glass of water with Lasix. Try taking the dosage in the daytime so as to avoid night time urination.

It is very important that you complete the dosage schedule and do not interrupt it in between without seeking prior consultation from your doctor as it might lead to some serious problems.

Taking your medication at the same time each day is a tried and tested method to avoid missing any doses.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Lasix being a potent water pill mainly works by creating a block in the absorption of the salt as well as the fluid in the kidney tubules. This may lead to an increase in the urine output and may also lead to a body water and also electrolyte depletion in the body. Thus, proper medical care should be taking while you are taking the dosage.

Missed Dose

Despite your best attempts at remembering, if you still miss out on a dose, then take it as soon as you remember about it. But keep in mind that you will have to adjust your next dose by spacing it out by 4 to 5 hours. If this is not possible, then the best thing to do would be to skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosage schedule.

Never try to compensate for the missed dose by taking a double dose together. It may cause adverse effects.

Storage

Store Lasix at room temperature. Always keep it in a cool dark place that is not directly exposed to sources of heat or moisture and sunlight. Protect it from kids and pets.

Warning/Precautions

Doctors advise against using Lasix if you are allergic to any ingredient in it or if you have a history of kidney failure.

Discuss your past/current medical history in detail with your doctor before beginning treatment with any new medication. If you are using any herbal supplements or over the counter medication, including vitamin pills, then mention it to your doctor.

Your condition might be monitored or the dosage might be modified to suit you as the consumption of the dosage leads to a loss of body fluids and salt which might lead to severe consequences. It might affect the kidney causing a patient to land even in coma directly.

The blood uric acid levels might increase during the treatment. It may also lead to a toxic effect of the aminoglycoside antibiotics especially on the ear and mainly in those patients who are suffering from a kidney dysfunction. It seeks to reduce the kidney excretion of lithium and can cause lithium toxicity. It may further even impair your kidney function when administered together either with aspirin or with any other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Make sure that periodic blood tests are performed in order to constantly monitor your kidney function and the electrolytes during this treatment.

Side Effects

Most medications have some kind of side effects associated with them. The commonest of these side effects are temporary and mild and fade away without any special attention.

These include water level depletion, low blood pressure, and jaundice, along with ringing in ears, light sensitivity and rash with pancreatitis, nausea and abdominal pain, dizziness with anemia, and also certain other blood disorders.

However, in some cases, these mild side effects may persist or become bothersome. In such cases, seek medical attention.

Also, in some rare cases, it may lead to severe side effects like an allergic reaction leading to a difficulty in breathing with swelling of various parts of the body along with muscle cramps, irregular heartbeats, diarrhea, low blood pressure and decreased hearing. Some other adverse effects might also be a dry mouth with increased thirst, headache, a feeling of dizziness, constipation and an increased sensitivity towards sunlight, easy bleeding and numbness of the hands and the feet.

Seek medical attention if you notice any of these side effects.

Side effects that are not listed here may also occur.