Furosemide (4 brand names, 3 dosage forms, 3 routes)
Available dosage forms: INJECTABLE, TABLET, SOLUTION.
Routes of administration: INJECTION, ORAL, SUBCUTANEOUS.
Brand Names
- FUROSCIX
- FUROSEMIDE
- LASIX
- LASIX ONYU
Indications and Usage
Furosemide tablets are indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. Furosemide tablets are particularly useful when an agent with greater diuretic potential is desired.
Dosage and Administration
Therapy should be individualized according to patient response to gain maximal therapeutic response and to determine the minimal dose needed to maintain that response.
Contraindications
Furosemide tablets are contraindicated in patients with anuria and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to furosemide.
Adverse Reactions
Adverse reactions are categorized below by organ system and listed by decreasing severity. Gastrointestinal System Reactions 1. hepatic encephalopathy in patients with hepatocellular insufficiency 6. oral and gastric irritation 7. cramping 2. pancreatitis 8. diarrhea 3. jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice) 9. constipation 4. increased liver enzymes 10. nausea 5. anorexia 11. vomiting Systemic Hypersensitivity Reactions 1. severe anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions (e.g., with shock) 3. interstitial nephritis 2. systemic vasculitis 4. necrotizing angiitis Central Nervous System Reactions 1. tinnitus and hearing loss 5. headache 2. paresthesias 6. blurred vision 3. vertigo 7. xanthopsia 4. dizziness Hematologic Reactions 1. aplastic anemia 5. leukopenia 2. thrombocytopenia 6. anemia 3. agranulocytosis 7. eosinophilia 4. hemolytic anemia Dermatologic-Hypersensitivity Reactions 1. toxic epidermal necrolysis 7. bullous pemphigoid 2. Stevens-Johnson Syndrome 8. purpura 3. erythema multiforme 9. fever 4. drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms 10. rash 5. acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis 11. pruritus 6. exfoliative dermatitis 12. urticaria Cardiovascular Reaction 1.Orthostatic hypotension may occur and be aggravated by alcohol, barbiturates or narcotics. 2.Increase in cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels Other Reactions 1. hyperglycemia 6. restlessness 2. glycosuria 7. urinary bladder spasm 3. hyperuricemia 8. thrombophlebitis 4. muscle spasm 9. fever 5. weakness Whenever adverse reactions are moderate or severe, furosemide dosage should be reduced or therapy withdrawn. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Solco Healthcare US, LLC at 1-866-257-2597 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Drug Interactions
Furosemide may increase the ototoxic potential of aminoglycoside antibiotics, especially in the presence of impaired renal function. Except in life-threatening situations, avoid this combination. Furosemide should not be used concomitantly with ethacrynic acid because of the possibility of ototoxicity. Patients receiving high doses of salicylates concomitantly with furosemide, as in rheumatic disease, may experience salicylate toxicity at lower doses because of competitive renal excretory sites. There is a risk of ototoxic effects if cisplatin and furosemide are given concomitantly. In addition, nephrotoxicity of nephrotoxic drugs such as cisplatin may be enhanced if furosemide is not given in lower doses and with positive fluid balance when used to achieve forced diuresis during cisplatin treatment. Furosemide has a tendency to antagonize the skeletal muscle-relaxing effect of tubocurarine and may potentiate the action of succinylcholine. Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics because they reduce lithium’s renal clearance and add a high risk of lithium toxicity. Furosemide combined with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers may lead to severe hypotension and deterioration in renal function, including renal failure. An interruption or reduction in the dosage of furosemide, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or angiotensin receptor blockers may be necessary. Potentiation occurs with ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs. Furosemide may decrease arterial responsiveness to norepinephrine. However, norepinephrine may still be used effectively. Simultaneous administration of sucralfate and furosemide tablets may reduce the natriuretic and antihypertensive effects of furosemide. Patients receiving both drugs should be observed closely to determine if the desired diuretic and/or antihypertensive effect of furosemide is achieved. The intake of furosemide and sucralfate should be separated by at least t
Overdosage
The principal signs and symptoms of overdose with furosemide are dehydration, blood volume reduction, hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, hypokalemia and hypochloremic alkalosis, and are extensions of its diuretic action. The acute toxicity of furosemide has been determined in mice, rats and dogs. In all three, the oral LD50 exceeded 1000 mg/kg body weight, while the intravenous LD50 ranged from 300 to 680 mg/kg. The acute intragastric toxicity in neonatal rats is 7 to 10 times that of adult rats. The concentration of furosemide in biological fluids associated with toxicity or death is not known. Treatment of overdosage is supportive and consists of replacement of excessive fluid and electrolyte losses. Serum electrolytes, carbon dioxide level and blood pressure should be determined frequently. Adequate drainage must be assured in patients with urinary bladder outlet obstruction (such as prostatic hypertrophy). Hemodialysis does not accelerate furosemide elimination.