What is Lasix and when is this medication used?

Lasix is one of the names under which the medicinal substance Furosemide is sold. This trademark is owned by the international pharmaceutical giant Sanofi Aventis. But you can buy Lasix cheap if you opt for a generic version, i.e. the same medication made by another manufacturer, available at our drugstore.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic that prevents the uptake of sodium and chlorine ions in the region of the Henle loop and other areas of the nephron. The pharmacological effect of furosemide is limited only by the kidneys.

Chemical properties

Pharmacokinetics

The initial water pill action occurs approximately one hour after the dosage intake and lasts for three to six hours.

When administered orally, the medication is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract, with an average bioavailability of 50-70%.

When is Lasix indicated?

- Swelling due to congestive heart failure.

- Swelling due to chronic renal failure.

- Acute kidney failure, including during pregnancy.

- Edema with nephrotic syndrome.

- Edema in liver diseases.

- High arterial tension.

Contraindications for the medication use

- Sensitivity to the main or other components of the formulation.

- Sensitivity to sulfonamides (e.g. sulfonamide antibiotics or sulfonylureas);

- Low volume of fluids in the body or dehydration.

- Lack of urination; -Kidney failure due to poisoning with medicines or associated with hepatic coma.

- Severe degree of hypokalemia.

- Severe hyponatremia.

- Precomatous and coma associated with hepatic encephalopathy.

How is Lasix used?

Lasix and the generic versions of the medication are taken in the same manner. In this guide, we provide the general recommendations but we strongly advise you to consult a healthcare provider who knows your history of disease on the medication dosage before you buy generic Lasix.

Furosemide is usually taken orally on an empty stomach. Throughout the whole course, the control over electrolytes balance is needed.

The most effective doses should be used. Furosemide has a wide therapeutic range; its effects are proportional to the dose.

For adults, the highest dosage that can be taken in a day is 1500 mg.

For children, the medication in a form of pills is prescribed for children with a bodyweight of more than 10 kg. The usual dosage is established based on body weight and is 2 mg/kg. The highest daily dosage is 40 mg.

- Swelling in congestive heart failure is started to be treated with 20-40 mg per day. If the effect is insufficient, the dosage can be raised but then it should be split into two-three intakes.

- Swelling in chronic kidney dysfunction is treated with individually and carefully selected dosages because it highly depends on creatinine clearance and other factors.

The regular starting dosage is 40-80 mg per day. It can be raised or lowered based on the efficiency and split into two intakes.

In acute kidney failure, before initiating the use of Furosemide, hypovolemia, low arterial tension, and a significant electrolyte and acid-base imbalance should be compensated.

- Edema with nephrotic syndrome is started to be treated with 40-80 mg per day. If the effect is insufficient, the dosage can be raised but then it should be split into two-three intakes.

- Swelling due to liver dysfunction is started to be treated with 20-40-80 mg per day. If the effect is insufficient, the dosage can be raised but then it should be split into two-three intakes. The use of the diuretic is only a part of the therapy which must be prescribed and controlled by a specialist.

- Elderly patients should use the medication with caution since the washing out of the formulation can be extended. Treatment should be started with 20 mg and, if necessary, the dosage can be raised.

Overdose signs and treatment

The symptoms are based mainly on the severity and results of the loss of electrolytes and fluids. The symptoms include thirst, enhanced urination, irregular heartbeat, delirium, peripheral paralysis, apathy, confusion. Certain results of medical tests can show the severity of the overdose and the required therapy.

Treatment: medication withdrawal, with recent administration - stimulation of vomiting, gastric lavage, intake of activated carbon to limit further absorption, correction of water-electrolyte balance, restoration of electrolyte balance, symptomatic therapy.

Interactions

Increases the risk of intoxication with cardiac glycosides (against the background of glucocorticoids, the likelihood of hypokalemia), nephro- and ototoxic effects of aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, cisplatin; enhances the effect of curariform agents; increases reabsorption of lithium in the renal tubules. NSAIDs reduce the diuretic effect.

Adverse effects

Lasix can cause When you buy Furosemide, you should know that the course of treatment can be accompanied by certain adverse effects such as:

- Electrolyte disturbances, especially in individuals using the formulation for a long period: It can lead to gradually enhancing electrolyte deficiency or, when higher doses are applied to individuals with normal kidney function, to an acute severe loss of electrolytes and a sharp deterioration of the condition.

- Excessive diuresis can lead to dehydration and hypovolemia, especially in senior individuals and children.

- Evelated levels of creatinine, urea, triglycerides in the blood, hypercholesterolemia.

- Increased uric acid levels in the blood and the risk of flare-up of gout.

- Hyperglycemia, violated sugar tolerance, which can lead to poor glycemic control in individuals with diabetes mellitus; possibly manifesting latent diabetes mellitus. In long-term use of diuretics, the development of a hyperosmolar coma is possible.

- Significant loss of fluid can lead to hemoconcentration with a tendency to intensified blood coagulation and thrombosis, especially in senior individuals.

- Thrombocytopenia with a potentially increased tendency to bleeding.

- Leukopenia, eosinophilia.

- Inhibition of bone marrow, aplastic anemia, hemolytic anemia, agranulocytosis with an increased tendency to infections. Hematopoietic status should be regularly monitored.

- Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis.

- Itching, urticaria, bullous reactions, including bullous pemphigoid, other types of rashes.

- Arrhythmias, low arterial tension, vasculitis, including necrotic vasculitis, thrombosis.

- An enhanced urine formation can provoke or aggravate any difficulty in the outflow of urine in prostatitis, urinary tract obstruction, and other predisposing conditions.

- Kidney failure. Possible decreased urine output, urinary incontinence. Potassium deficiency can occur in renal symptoms such as polyuria and polydipsia.

- Increased levels of sodium, chlorine in the urine.

- Decreased appetite/anorexia, irritation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and stomach, dry mouth, thirst, flatulence, colic, impaired intestinal motility/intestinal obstruction (with severe hypokalemia), nausea, vomiting, stool disorders, pancreas inflammation.

- Jaundice, elevated levels of hepatic enzymes, hepatic encephalopathy.

- Headache/feeling of pressure in the head, lightheadedness, depression, paresthesia, decreased concentration, confusion, drowsiness, weakness, delirium.

- Transient short-term hearing impairment, tinnitus, especially in individuals with renal failure.

- Visual impairment, including blurred vision.

Special recommendations and precautions

During the therapy, it is necessary to ensure a constant outflow of urine. The use of furosemide requires regular medical and laboratory monitoring. It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition and/or reduce the dose in:

- Senior patients who are especially prone to adverse reactions. The course should be initiated with low doses.

- Low arterial tension;

- High risk due to a particular tendency to a sharp drop of arterial tension, for instance, individuals with severe stenosis of the coronary arteries or vessels that feed the brain

- In diabetes, as glycemic control may be impaired;

- In gout, the use of furosemide slows down the elimination of uric acid it can provoke an attack of gout; - In impaired liver function as the medication can trigger the development of hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia;

- In functional kidney failure, are associated in severe liver disease.

- In hypoproteinemia due to nephrotic syndrome or cirrhosis of the liver.

- Careful dosage raise is needed for premature babies (possibly developing nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis). Their kidney function must be monitored through kidney ultrasonography.

- In the presence of dropsy without peripheral edema, the medication should be used in doses that enhance diuresis in the amount of not more than 700-900 ml/day, which does not cause significant changes in the parameters of blood plasma ions, residual nitrogen, and helps prevent oliguria. - If oliguria is maintained within 24 hours of treatment, it must be discontinued.

- Throughout the course, especially long-term, it is recommended to periodically measure blood pressure, regularly monitor the level of sodium, potassium, calcium, chlorine, magnesium, uric acid, and creatinine in the blood serum, especially in individuals at risk of electrolyte imbalance.

-The electrolyte imbalance onset is influenced by factors such as existing diseases (for example, cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure), the simultaneous use of medicines and nutritional features. For example, potassium deficiency may result from vomiting or diarrhea. -When using furosemide, it is recommended to eat foods high in potassium. It should be remembered that when using furosemide, there may be a need for drug compensation for potassium deficiency.

- The consumption of alcohol and furosemide should be avoided.

- Cases of photosensitization reactions with the use of furosemide have been reported. In case of their occurrence, the medication withdrawal is recommended. If repeated use of furosemide is necessary, open areas of the skin should be protected from the sun or artificial UV radiation.

- Athletes should keep in mind that the use of the medication can lead to a positive result when conducting doping control.

- The drug contains lactose, therefore, individuals with rare hereditary forms of galactose intolerance, with a lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome should not use it.

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