Furosemide

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Jul 18, 2022

Warnings

What are the risks of using furosemide (Lasix)?

Furosemide can cause serious side effects and health complications in some people. Talk to your healthcare professional or pharmacist if these risks are a concern for you.

SEVERE FLUID AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE: Furosemide is a powerful diuretic, and taking too much of this medication can lead to potentially life-threatening dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The risk is higher in people over the age of 65, those taking higher doses of furosemide, people with liver disease, those on a low salt diet, and those on other medications that can interact with furosemide. Take furosemide exactly as prescribed by your doctor and keep all your appointments. Your doctor may order medical tests to check electrolyte levels. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience dry mouth, severe thirst, muscle cramps, weakness, fast heart rate, or acute urinary retention (very little urine formation) after taking furosemide
RISK IN PEOPLE WITH LIVER DISEASE: People with liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis are at higher risk of developing severe fluid or electrolyte imbalances while taking furosemide, particularly when treatment begins. If you have liver disease, your healthcare provider might start you on furosemide under close monitoring in the hospital. You may also receive other medications such as potassium supplements to prevent electrolyte imbalance.
RINGING IN THE EARS AND LOSS OF HEARING: Furosemide can cause ringing in the ears and/or loss of hearing. The risk is higher when the medicine is given intravenously in the hospital, but it can also occur with furosemide pills. People with kidney disease are at higher risk of developing hearing problems on furosemide. Also, those taking other medications that can cause hearing problems, those on high doses of furosemide, and those with low protein levels are at risk of these adverse effects. Take furosemide medication exactly as prescribed, keep all your follow-up appointments with your doctor, and get lab tests as advised. Call your doctor immediately if you develop any problems with hearing while on furosemide.
URINATION DIFFICULTIES AND KIDNEY PROBLEMS: Furosemide makes you urinate more and can increase your risk of kidney problems. This medicine can worsen symptoms in people who already have bladder or urinary system problems. Give your doctor a complete medical history. If you have an enlarged prostate gland or other urinary problems, check to make sure it is okay for you to take furosemide and talk to your doctor about a safe dose.
ALLERGIC REACTIONS: People with a history of allergic reactions to sulfa drugs can experience similar reactions to furosemide. Tell your healthcare professional about your drug allergies, especially if you have ever experienced a severe allergic reaction. Stop taking furosemide and call your doctor if you notice a rash, hives, or other signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction.
INCREASED URIC ACID LEVELS: Taking furosemide can lead to increased uric acid levels, which can cause or worsen gout, a type of arthritis.
SUN SENSITIVITY: Taking furosemide can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Wear protective clothing and avoid unnecessary sun exposure while on this medicine.

What should I tell my doctor before taking furosemide (Lasix)?

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to furosemide, any active or inactive ingredients in furosemide tablets or liquid, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs. Your pharmacy can provide you with a list of ingredients.

Give your health care provider and pharmacist a complete list of all your medicines, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs (over-the-counter medicines), vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid serious drug interactions.

Give your doctor a complete medical history, particularly any history of congestive heart failure, kidney disease, kidney failure, bladder emptying difficulties, liver disease, diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), hearing problems, or gout.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

What precautions should I take while on furosemide (Lasix)?

Take the recommended dose of furosemide as per the regular dosing schedule advised by your doctor. Keep all your appointments with your healthcare provider. Your doctor may order certain lab tests and urine tests during furosemide treatment to check kidney function and ensure the medicine is not causing any electrolyte imbalances.

If you are taking sucralfate (Carafate), make sure you take this medicine 2 hours away from your furosemide dose.

Contact your doctor for medical advice if you become pregnant while on furosemide. Also, if you are scheduled for surgery, tell your surgeon you are on furosemide.

Furosemide can cause dizziness and lightheadedness, especially when going from a sitting or lying position to standing, and particularly when you first start taking this medication. Do not arise quickly from a lying position. Get out of bed slowly, rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes, and then stand up. You should know that alcohol can make these side effects worse.

What drugs can interact with lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)?

Taking certain other medicines with furosemide can affect how the medicine works and/or increase the risk of adverse effects. Your physician may choose a different drug combination, change the dose or frequency of your medicines, and/or monitor you carefully for side effects if there are possible drug interactions between furosemide and your other medicines. Some of the medications that can interact with loop diuretics like furosemide include:

Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin (Garamycin), amikacin, and tobramycin (Bethkis, Tobi)
Medications used to treat high blood pressure (angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors) such as captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), lisinopril (in Prinzide, in Zestoretic), fosinopril, perindopril (Aceon), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic), trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka), and ramipril (Altace)
High blood pressure medicines called angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) such as candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), eprosartan (Teveten, in Teveten HCT), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, Benicar HCT), valsartan (Diovan, in Diovan HCT, Exforge), and telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT)
Salicylates, including aspirin
Corticosteroids like budesonide (Entocort), betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), fludrocortisone (Floriner), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak, Dexasone, others), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), prednisolone (Prelone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone, others), prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Sterapred, others), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Azmacort)
Barbiturates like phenobarbital and secobarbital (Seconal)
Phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek)
Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune)
Methotrexate (Trexall)
Cisplatin (Platinol)
Heart medications like digoxin (Lanoxin)
Other loop diuretics like ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin (Indocin)
Laxatives
Medications are used in patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, and pain
Lithium (Lithobid)
Probenecid (Probalan, Probenemid)

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal products. Also, tell your healthcare providers if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription drugs.

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