Frusemide

No Comments

Furosemide/Frusemide is a powerful short-acting loop diuretic which increases the amount of water that you pass out from your kidneys the medication it’s self has been around for the last 20 years or so. It is used to treat an accumulation of fluid in the tissue spaces (oedema) which may have been caused by heart failure and certain lung, liver and kidney disorder. Because this medication is fast acting, it is often used in emergencies to relieve pulmonary oedema (fluid on the lungs) It is very useful for people who suffer impaired kidney function because they do not respond well to thiazide diuretics. Diuretics can also be used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) this would be a thiazide diuretic which is commonly used to treat hypertension.

Frusemide increases potassium loss, which can cause a variety of symptoms. These effects may cause weakness, confusion, and rarely, abnormal heart rhythms to develop. for this reason potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics are often given with this drug. Your doctor may advise you to have a blood test to check for these problems.

Quick Guide

• Loop Diuretic and anti-hypertesive with overdose danger – LOW.
• Dependency is said to be – LOW.
• Prescription only drug – YES.
• Available as generic – YES. (generic drugs, short: generics) is a drug which is produced and distributed without patent protection.
• Alcohol avoidance – YES/NO.
• Alcohol consumption needs to be kept low. Increases dehydration and hangovers.

Side Effects

You may if prescribed furosemide suffer one or more of these side effects, in the initial stages. However, you may find you do not suffer any at all, as it does not follow that being on this medication will cause unwanted adverse effects.

Common: Dizziness Nausea or upset stomach
Rare: Muscle Cramp, Ringing In Ears, Rash, Photosensitivity, Palpitations. Lethargy

Because of the rapid fluid loss produced by furosemide it is possible to suffer adverse effects. However, these tend to diminish over a period of time as the body ajusts to taking of furosemide. headache, Muscle cramp and dizziness can be due to the disturbance of the body’s salts and water levels.

The side effects listed here are the most common and rare problems reported by patients using furosemide. It may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug’s manufacturer. If common side effects persist you need to inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you suffer any of the rare or some other side effects not listed here. For total peace of mind, seek information from your doctor or chemist.

Prolonged Use

Serious problems are unlikely, but levels of salts such as potassium, sodium, and calcium may become depleted. Low blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, problems passing urine or muscle cramps may well develop, particularly in the elderly. Your doctor may order period tests to check on kidney function and body salt levels.

Driving, Hazardous Work & Alcohol

Avoid driving/hazardous work until you know how furosemide affects you. Frusemide may reduce mental alertness and may cause dizziness. Keep consumption low as frusemide increases the likelihood of dehydration and hangovers after alcohol consumption.

Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding

Safety in pregnancy has not been established. You will need to discuss this with your doctor. The amount of furosemide (frusemide) in the milk is unlikely to cause problems to the baby.

Furosemide (frusemide) is classified as a pregnancy Category C medicine by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Category C… Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the foetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use of the drug in pregnant women despite potential risks.

Tell Your Doctor Or Pharmacist

You should tell your doctor if you have a current health problem. For example: heart disease, kidney problems, if you are pregnant or you intend to become pregnant, or if you think you may be at risk from drug treatment for any other reason. Some types of medication can cause serious adverse effects when taken side by side so it is important to tell your doctor of any other medication you are already taking. This should also include any over-the-counter medication. For example: Painkillers, cold remedies, herbal and complimentary/alternative medication.

Over 60’s & Children

A reduced dosage may be necessary for the elderly your doctor would advise. A reduced dosage will also be necessary for children, based around body-weight

Overdose

An unintentional extra dose is unlikely to cause problems. However, if you notice any unusual symptoms or you have reason to believe a large overdose has been taken, or a child has taken these tablets notify your doctor immediately or go to your nearest accident and emergency department of your local hospital taking the container with you. Even if it is empty.

Other Medication Reactions

Non-Steroidal and Anti-inflammatory drugs may reduce the diuretic effect of frusemide (e.g. aspirin,indomethacin). Lithium blood levels may be increased by the taken of frusemide. Perhaps leading to an increased risk of lithium poisoning. Digoxon, an ACE inhibitor (used to treat heart and circulation problems) loss of potassium may lead to digoxin toxicity when frusemide is taken with this drug. There is an increased risk of hearing and kidney problems when taken Aminoglycoside antibiotics alongside furosemide (e.g. streptomycin or gentamicin). Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors there is an increased risk of low blood pressure when these drugs are taken with furosemide. Sucralfate (used to treat ulcers and inflammation of the stomach lining) may decrease the effectivness of furosemide and must not be taken within 2 hours of each other.

Other medicines you should make your doctor aware of if you are taking them:

• Corticosteroidds (used to treat inflammmation and ulceration) e.g. prednisolone, betamethasone, drugs that may affect you kidney function (e.g. probenecid or any liquorice containing products.)
• If you are receving treatment for epilepsy (e.g. phenytoin, carbmazepine), are you taking aminoglutethimide this is the chemical name of active ingredient in Cytadren(used to treat cancer), or carbenoxolone (used to treat inflammation and ulceration), amphotericin (used to treat infections), reboxetine (used to treat depression), methotrexate (used to treat leukaemia), cisplatin (also used to treat cancer) or theophyline (for breathing difficulties).
• Are you taking sympathomimetics to treatment asthma problems (e.g. salbutamol), or any medicines to treat high blood pressure (e.g. methyldopa) or any medicines to treat low blood pressure (e.g. Glyceryl Trinitrate, Dopamine).

Missed A Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Reducing or Stopping Medication

It is important that you do not stop taking frusemide without consulting your doctor. It is possible that the symptoms will recur.

Effect Of Medication

Depending on how frusemide is administered effects could be felt within 1 hour (by mouth) or 5 minutes (by injection). The effects could last up to 6 hours.

Safety And Storage

• Never take more than the original dosage prescribed by your doctor.
• If your due to have treatment like an operation or dental work tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.
• When you buy any medicines over-the-counter check with the pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
• Never take frusemide if it has past the expiry date shown on the box or container.
• Do not store medication above a temperature of 25°C or above a working area where high condensation may exits.
• Keep frusemide in its original container, in a cool dry place, away from the reach and eye sight of children.
• Always read the printed information leaflet that comes with your medicine.
• Do not discard old or unwanted drugs into your trash, sink or toilet.
• Return all unused or old medicines/drugs to your pharmacist. who will dispose of them safely.

If frusemide has been prescribed for you never allow anyone else to use it, even if you know or others feel their symptom are similar to your own.

Do not leave your doctors surgery until you have a clear understanding of what the drug your doctor has prescribed for you does, and why you have been prescribed it. It is common for people who do not understand the reason behind there treatment to take their medication correctly.