Furosemide
bWhy is this medication prescribed?
Furosemide, a 'water
pill,' is used to reduce the swelling and fluid retention caused by various medical
problems, including heart or liver disease. It also is used to treat high blood
pressure. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the
body into the urine. This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses;
ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
How should this medicine
be used?
Furosemide comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. It
usually is taken once a day in the morning or twice a day in the morning and afternoon.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor
or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take furosemide exactly
as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed
by your doctor. Furosemide controls high blood pressure but does not cure
it. Continue to take furosemide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking furosemide
without talking to your doctor. Order
Furosemide
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking furosemide,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic
to furosemide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
tell your doctor and pharmacist
what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other
medications for high blood pressure, aspirin, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone),
digoxin (Lanoxin), indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications
for diabetes, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. If you also are taking cholestyramine
or colestipol, take it at least 1 hour after taking furosemide.
tell your
doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine. If you become pregnant while taking
furosemide, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental
surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking furosemide.
plan
to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective
clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Furosemide may make your skin sensitive to
sunlight. Order
Furosemide What special dietary instructions should I
follow?
Follow your doctor's directions. They may include a daily exercise
program and a low-sodium or low-salt diet, potassium supplements, and increased
amounts of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes, raisins, and orange juice)
in your diet.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the
missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your
next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do
not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects
can this medication cause?
Frequent urination may last for up to 6 hours
after a dose and should decrease after you take furosemide for a few weeks. Tell
your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: muscle
cramps
weakness
dizziness
confusion
thirst
upset stomach
vomiting
blurred vision
headache
restlessness
constipation
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
fever
sore throat
ringing in the ears
unusual bleeding or
bruising
loss of hearing
severe rash with peeling skin
difficulty
breathing or swallowing
rapid, excessive weight loss
What storage
conditions are needed for this medicine?
Keep this medicine in the container
it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature
and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away unused
furosemide liquid after 60 days. Throw away any medicine that is outdated or no
longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medicine. Order
Furosemide
Furosemide
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