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Furosemide is a potent diuretic water pill. Furosemide works by blocking the absorption of salt and fluid in the kidney tubules causing a profound increase in urine output diuresis. The diuretic effect of furosemide can cause body water and electrolyte depletion. Therefore careful medical supervision is necessary during treatment.

Commonly observed side effects are low blood pressure and water and electrolyte depletion. Less common side effects include jaundice ringing in ears tinnitus light sensitivity rash pancreatitis nausea abdominal pain dizziness anemia and other blood disorders.

Furosemide is a powerful diuretic. Furosemide is used to treat excessive fluid accumulation and swelling edema of the body caused by heart failure cirrhosis chronic kidney failure and nephrotic syndrome. It is sometimes used in conjunction with other blood pressure pills to treat high blood pressure.

Should be stored at room temperature in a light resistant container.

Patients allergic to sulfa may also be allergic to furosemide because of a similarity in the chemical structure of the medications. Furosemide should be avoided in kidney failure. Even though furosemide is important in treating excess fluid accumulation in patients with cirrhosis sudden loss of fluid and electrolytes in these patients can worsen kidney function and even cause the patient to go into a coma. Furosemide can cause lowering of blood potassium sodium and magnesium levels. Low potassium and magnesium levels can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities especially in patients already taking digoxin Lanoxin. Please visit the digoxin Lanoxin site for further information.

Blood uric acid levels can increase during furosemide treatment but precipitation of acute gout is rare. Furosemide may increase the toxic effect of aminoglycoside antibiotics on the ear especially in patients with kidney dysfunction. Furosemide reduces the kidney excretion of lithium and can lead to lithium toxicity. Furosemide may impair kidney function when administered together with aspirin or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs. Periodic blood tests are performed to monitor kidney function and electrolytes during treatment with furosemide.