Lasix (Furosemide)

Pharmaceutical name: Furosemide

Furosemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to pass into urine.

Therapeutic actions:
Lasix is a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics make the kidneys eliminate larger amounts of electrolytes (especially sodium and potassium salts) and water than normal (diuretic effect). Loop diuretics are useful for treating many conditions in which salt and water retention (eg, edema, swelling) is a problem.

What is it used for?:
Treating high blood pressure or water retention (swelling) associated with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Contraindications and cautions:
Lasix is contraindicated for those:
- allergic to any ingredient in Lasix;
- unable to urinate;
- taking ethacrynic acid.

Interactions:
- the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased byCorticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or corticotropin (ACTH);
- the risk of dizziness upon standing may be increased by taking Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotics (eg, codeine) with Lasix;
- serious side effects to the kidneys (decreased ability to urinate) or ears (hearing loss) may be caused by aminoglycosides (eg, gentamicin), amphotericin B, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, captopril), cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, tacrolimus, or vancomycin;
- side effects, such as excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and changes in blood pressure, may be caused by Chloral hydrate;
- Lasix 's effectiveness may be decreased by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin);
- Lasix may increase the risk of side effects of digoxin, lithium, medicines for high blood pressure, salicylates (eg, aspirin), or succinylcholine;
- Lasix may decrease effectiveness of norepinephrine or tubocurarine.