Furosemide (Lasix)

Description Furosemide belongs to a class of drugs known as diuretics, or "water pills." Lasix happens to be a strong diuretic, and is indicated to treat excess fluid and swelling in the body caused by conditions such as heart failure, kidney failure, and cirrhosis (a liver disease). Side effects associated with this drug include low blood pressure, and water and electrolyte depletion.

According to physicians, caution is advised in prescribing this drug to people with kidney dysfunction, and, monitoring will be important. Further, since Lasix tends to drain potassium from the body, your doctor may advise a diet rich in potassium from sources such as bananas and oranges or may prescribe potassium supplements.

Original uses (on-label) Management of edema (swelling from water retention) associated with congestive heart failure and liver or kidney disease, treatment of high blood pressure.

Newly discovered uses (off-label) You can order Furosemide to treat acute asthma, allergen-induced asthma, ascites in cirrhosis, aspirin-sensitive asthma, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (in infants), chronic asthma, membranous nephropathy, nocturia. It can be used for prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm and steroid-dependent asthmas.

Furosemide drug interactions Use only under specific circumstances

• Aminoglycosides (gentamicin, kanamycin, neomycin, streptomycin): Additive ototoxicity (ethacrynic acid > furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide).
• Cisplatin: Additive ototoxicity (ethacrynic acid > furosemide, torsemide, bumetanide).

Minimize risk

• Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: Initiation of ACEI with intensive diuretic therapy may result in precipitous fall in blood pressure; ACEIs may induce renal insufficiency in the presence of diuretic-induced sodium depletion.
• Barbiturates (phenobarbital): Reduced diuretic response.
• Bile acid-binding resins (cholestyramine, colestipol): Resins markedly reduce the bioavailability and diuretic response of Lasix.
• Carbenoxolone: Severe hypokalemia from coadministration.
• Cephalosporins (cephaloridine, cephalothin): Enhanced nephrotoxicity with coadministration.
• Clofibrate: Enhanced effects of both drugs, especially in hypoalbuminemic patients.
• Corticosteroids: Concomitant loop diuretic and corticosteroid therapy can result in excessive potassium loss.
• Digitalis glycosides (digoxin, digitoxin): Diuretic-induced hypokalemia may increase risk of digitalis toxicity.
• Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen, piroxicam, aspirin, sulindac): Reduced diuretic and antihypertensive effects.
• Phenytoin: Reduced diuretic response.
• Serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine, paroxetine, sertraline): Case reports of sudden death; enhanced hyponatremia proposed; causal relationships not established.
• Terbutaline: Additive hypokalemia.
• Tubocurarine: Prolonged neuromuscular blockade.

Herbal interactions Dong quai, yohimbe, ginseng, garlic. Limit intake of natural licorice.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding cautions FDA Pregnancy Risk Category C. Excreted in breast milk. No reports of adverse effects. Use with caution.

Special information May be taken with food or milk. Rise slowly from sitting or lying position to avoid dizziness. Avoid long periods of exercise. Lasix tablets will increase urination; take early in day to prevent frequent need to urinate during the bedtime hours.

Buy Lasix online

Where can I buy Furosemide without prescription?
Lasix is a prescription drug that comes in 40, and 100 mg tablets. It is prescription-only, but the internet pharmacy, will sell Furosemide tablets without prescription. You may be able to order Lasix from them online and save the local pharmacy markup.

Acute Asthma treatment Furosemide may be used in people with acute asthma since there is evidence that it blocks sodium-calcium pumps in the body and produces smooth muscle relaxation thereby preventing airway narrowing that is seen in asthma attacks.

In a clinical study, Canadian researchers compared the effects of nebulized (administered in a fine spray) salbutamol (an adrenergic bronchodilator) and either nebulized Lasix or a saline solution in 42 patients with acute asthma. After 15 minutes and 30 minutes, there was no notable difference in the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) in patients treated with salbutamol and furosemide and salbutamol and saline treatment combinations.

In patients who had short duration asthma exacerbations (for less than eight hours), PEFR improved significantly more in patients receiving it. The respiratory rate, heart rate, and pulse rate also improved; however, there were no major differences between the treatment groups. The positive benefits of furosemide were not seen in patients with asthma symptoms greater than eight hours' duration. Researchers concluded that based on these findings, Lasix may provide added bronchodilator benefits in those patients with naturally occurring asthma symptoms of less than eight hours.