What is the most important information I should know about furosemide?
You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate.
Using more than your recommended dose will not make this medicine more effective. High doses of furosemide may cause irreversible hearing loss.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines. Some drugs should not be used with furosemide.
What is furosemide?
Furosemide is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder such as nephrotic syndrome.
Furosemide is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
The Furiosi brand of furosemide is only used in adults.
Furosemide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before using furosemide?
You should not use furosemide if you are allergic to it, if you are unable to urinate or have hepatic cirrhosis.
You should not use Furiosi if you have ascites or have allergies to medical adhesives.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);
- enlarged prostate, bladder obstruction, or other urination problems;
- gout;
- lupus;
- diabetes;
- an allergy to sulfa drugs;
- kidney disease; or
- cirrhosis or other liver disease.
Tell your doctor if you have an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or any type of scan using a radioactive dye that is injected into a vein. Contrast dyes and furosemide can harm your kidneys.
It is not known if furosemide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk. Furosemide may slow breast milk production.
How should I use furosemide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Furosemide oral is taken by mouth. Furosemide injection is given in a muscle, under the skin, or in a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection if you are unable to take the medicine by mouth.
Furiosi infusion lasts about 5 hours. Furiosi should not get wet. Do not bathe, shower, swim or exercise while wearing the infusor. Also do not apply any products such as lotions or creams in the area where the infusor is placed.
It is not recommended to travel by car or airplane while using Furiosi. Also do not use the infusor within 12 inches of mobile phones, tablets, computers, or wireless accessories such as remote control, or bucktooth devices.
Do not reuse a needle, syringe or cartridge. Place them in a puncture-proof "sharps" container and dispose of it following state or local laws. Keep out of the reach of children and pets.
You may receive your first dose in a hospital or clinic setting if you have severe liver disease.
Do not use more than your recommended dose. High doses of furosemide may cause irreversible hearing loss.
Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Doses are based on weight in children and teenagers. Your child's dose may change if the child gains or loses weight.
Furosemide will make you urinate more often and you may get dehydrated easily. Follow your doctor's instructions about using potassium supplements or getting enough salt and potassium in your diet.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often and you may need other medical tests.
If you have high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using furosemide.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Throw away any unused oral liquid after 90 days.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Furosemide is sometimes used only once, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, use the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include feeling very thirsty or hot, heavy sweating, hot and dry skin, extreme weakness, or fainting.
What should I avoid while using furosemide?
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Avoid becoming dehydrated. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while you are using furosemide.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Furosemide could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
If you have high blood pressure, ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicines that can raise your blood pressure, such as diet pills or cough-and-cold medicine.
What are the possible side effects of furosemide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
- ringing in your ears, hearing loss;
- muscle spasms or contractions;
- pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding;
- high blood sugar --increased thirst, increased urination, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
- kidney problems --swelling, urinating less, feeling tired or short of breath
- signs of liver or pancreas problems --loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- signs of an electrolyte imbalance --increased thirst or urination, constipation, muscle weakness, leg cramps, numbness or tingling, feeling jittery, fluttering in your chest.
Common side effects may include:
- diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;
- numbness or tingling;
- headache, dizziness; or
- blurred vision.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect furosemide?
Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective
If you also take sucralfate, take your furosemide dose 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take sucralfate.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- another diuretic, especially ethacrynic acid;
- methotrexate;
- chloral hydrate;
- lithium;
- phenytoin;
- an antibiotic;
- cancer medicine, such as cisplatin;
- heart or blood pressure medicine; or
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect furosemide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about furosemide.
