What is this medicine?
FUROSEMIDE (fyoor OH se mide) is a diuretic. It helps you make more urine and to lose salt and excess water from your body. This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure, and edema or swelling from heart, kidney, or liver disease.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?
This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.
| Furosemide 10MG/ML Solution | MORTON GROVE PHARMACEUTICALS | 120/$15.98 or 360/$35.96 |
| Furosemide 10MG/ML Solution | ROXANE | 60/$16.99 or 180/$32.98 |
| Furosemide 20MG Tablets | SANDOZ | 100/$13.99 or 200/$18.98 |
| Furosemide 40MG Tablets | MYLAN | 100/$13.99 or 200/$19.96 |
| Furosemide 80MG Tablets | MYLAN | 30/$12.99 or 60/$13.98 |
| Lasix 20MG Tablets | AVENTIS | 30/$22.46 or 90/$42.53 |
| Lasix 40MG Tablets | AVENTIS | 30/$26.01 or 90/$50.83 |
| Lasix 80MG Tablets | AVENTIS | 30/$33.1 or 90/$78.02 |
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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- blood in urine or stools
- dry mouth
- fever or chills
- hearing loss or ringing in the ears
- irregular heartbeat
- muscle pain or weakness, cramps
- skin rash
- stomach upset, pain, or nausea
- tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
- unusually weak or tired
- vomiting or diarrhea
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- headache
- loss of appetite
- unusual bleeding or bruising
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. You may take this medicine with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Remember that you will need to pass more urine after taking this medicine. Do not take your medicine at a time of day that will cause you problems. Do not take at bedtime.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
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What may interact with this medicine?
- certain antibiotics given by injection
- diuretics
- heart medicines like digoxin, dofetilide, or nitroglycerin
- lithium
- medicines for diabetes
- medicines for high blood pressure
- medicines for high cholesterol like cholestyramine, clofibrate, or colestipol
- medicines that relax muscles for surgery
- NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation like ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin
- phenytoin
- steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone
- sucralfate
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
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Who should NOT use this medication?
- Anuria.
- Known hypersensitivity to furosemide or any ingredient in the formulation.
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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure regularly. Ask your doctor or health care professional what your blood pressure should be, and when you should contact him or her. If you are a diabetic, check your blood sugar as directed.
You may need to be on a special diet while taking this medicine. Check with your doctor. Also, ask how many glasses of fluid you need to drink a day. You must not get dehydrated.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.
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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
- abnormal blood electrolytes
- diarrhea or vomiting
- gout
- heart disease
- kidney disease, small amounts of urine, or difficulty passing urine
- liver disease
- an unusual or allergic reaction to furosemide, sulfa drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
Even though you may feel better you should not stop taking your high blood pressure medication without first checking with your healthcare provider.
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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
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Where can I get more information?
More Information
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