Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: FUROSEMIDE (fur-OH-se-mide)
This medicine is a loop diuretic used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and swelling due to excess body water. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: This is a powerful fluid-reducing drug. Using too much of this drug can lead to serious water and mineral loss. Therefore, it is important you be monitored by your doctor. Promptly notify your doctor if you become very thirsty, have a dry mouth, become confused, or develop muscle cramps/weakness. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking anticoagulants, parenteral aminoglycosides, chloral hydrate, cisplatin, digitoxin, digoxin, ginseng, or indomethacin. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. This medicine is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. This medicine is sometimes used at home as an injection. If you are using this medicine at home, a healthcare professional will provide detailed instructions for its appropriate use. Ask any questions that you may have about this medicine or giving injections. WHEN YOU FIRST START USING THIS MEDICINE, it may cause an unusual feeling of tiredness. It may also cause an increase in urine or in frequency of urination. To prevent this from affecting sleep: try not to use any dose later than 6 pm. IF YOUR DOCTOR DIRECTS you to switch to medicine that is taken by mouth, be sure you understand how to take it. STORE THIS MEDICINE as directed on the prescription label. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do NOT use 2 doses at once.
YOUR DOCTOR MAY HAVE ALSO PRESCRIBED a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. Do not start taking additional potassium on your own or change your diet to include more potassium without first checking with your doctor. KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are using this medicine. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. ALCOHOL, HOT WEATHER, EXERCISE, AND FEVER can increase dizziness. To prevent dizziness or fainting, sit up or stand up slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness or weakness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to this medicine. THIS MEDICINE MAY CAUSE increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to this medicine. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes medicines that contain ibuprofen or naproxen. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine. IF YOU HAVE DIABETES, this medicine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely and ask your doctor before adjusting the dose of your diabetes medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include dizziness or lightheadedness when sitting up or standing. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience pain, redness, or swelling at injection site; ringing in the ears or hearing loss; extreme thirst or dry mouth; muscle cramps; weakness; confusion; rapid or irregular heartbeat; nausea; vomiting; or diarrhea. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include dry mouth, dizziness, excessive urination followed by a decrease in amount of urine, muscle cramps, weakness, and weak or irregular heartbeat.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain local regulations for selecting an appropriate container and properly disposing of the container when it is full.