Furosemide brands and prices in Pakistan

About Furosemide

Furosemide is a diuretic, often called a water tablet. It makes your kidneys pass more water and salt, so you pee more and your body gets rid of extra fluid. It is a prescription medicine.

Who should not take it, or should take care

• Do not take it if you are allergic to furosemide or to sulphonamide medicines.
• The UK leaflet says not to take it if you have kidney failure with no urine, very low blood salts (such as potassium or sodium), low blood volume, are dehydrated, or have very low blood pressure.
• The UK leaflet also says not to take it if you have liver cirrhosis with brain effects (hepatic encephalopathy), Addison's disease or digitalis poisoning, or if you take potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver problems, diabetes (your diabetes treatment may need adjusting), gout, lupus, prostate problems or trouble passing urine.
• Older people and people already taking blood pressure medicines need extra care.
• Blood tests are often needed before and during long-term treatment to check your body salts and kidneys.
• If you are sick, have diarrhoea or have a fever, you can become dehydrated. Ask a pharmacist or doctor for advice.
• Pregnancy: it is not usually used in pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or may be pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: NHS says it is not usually used, and the UK leaflet says do not take it while breastfeeding. Tell your doctor.
• It can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so cover up and use sunscreen.
• Children: it is sometimes suitable for children, but only as advised by a doctor.

Medicines and drinks that can interact

• Other blood pressure medicines, including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers and beta blockers
• Anti-inflammatory painkillers (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen, and aspirin
• Heart medicines such as digoxin and medicines for heart rhythm
• Lithium
• Some antidepressants and antipsychotics
• Warfarin
• Steroid medicines, laxatives and potassium supplements
• Liquorice
• Sucralfate (a stomach medicine): keep it apart from furosemide; ask your pharmacist how long a gap to leave
• Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines, vitamins and herbal products. Say you take furosemide before any blood test or X-ray test.

Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

Using it safely

• Take it exactly as your doctor tells you. Do not stop it yourself, even if you feel well.
• You can eat as normal. Ask your doctor how much fluid you should drink.
• It makes you pee more, so plan for toilet trips after taking it. NHS says taking it at a regular time that suits you helps you plan around it.
• Stand up slowly to avoid feeling dizzy.
• If you forget a dose, take it when you remember unless the next one is nearly due. Never take two doses together.
• If you feel dizzy or drowsy, do not drive, ride a bike or use machines until it passes.
• Keep appointments and blood tests.
• Keep it out of the sight and reach of children, away from heat, damp and strong light. Return unused medicine to a pharmacy.

Common questions

Can I drink alcohol while taking furosemide?
It is best to avoid it. NHS says alcohol can make dizziness, light-headedness and dehydration worse.

Why am I peeing so much?
That is how it works. It removes extra fluid through your urine. Plan for toilet breaks after taking it. Tell your doctor if you also feel very thirsty, dizzy or dried out, as these can be signs of dehydration.

Can I eat normally?
Yes. NHS says you can eat as normal. Ask your doctor how much to drink and whether you should follow a low-salt diet or eat more potassium-rich foods.

Why do I need blood tests?
Furosemide can change the salts in your blood, such as sodium and potassium, and it affects the kidneys. Blood tests let your doctor check these, especially in long-term use.

Can children take furosemide?
Sometimes, if a doctor decides it is right. Great Ormond Street Hospital notes that a child may need extra toilet breaks at school.

Prepared from the sources listed by the MedInfoBase team. General information, not medical advice: it gives no doses. Your doctor or pharmacist decides the medicine and dose for you.