Furosemide
Also sold as: Lasix
Prescription neededWater pills (diuretics)
Comes as:TabletInjectionOral solution
Usual adult dose
Usual adult dose for swelling (oedema): 20 to 40 mg once a day in the morning, adjusted by your doctor. Higher doses are used in kidney or heart failure. Injection is given in hospital.
Your doctor may give you a different dose. Children's doses depend on weight.
Side effects
Common
- passing a lot of urine
- dizziness
- thirst
- muscle cramps
Serious — get help
Stop taking it and see a doctor straight away if you notice:
- dehydration
- very low potassium (weakness
- irregular heartbeat)
- hearing loss or ringing in the ears (high doses)
Do not take it, or take care, if
- No urine production
- Severe dehydration or very low sodium or potassium
- Liver failure with confusion
- Gout or diabetes (use with caution)
Interactions
Medicines that can react with this one.
Serious3 medicinesDo not take these together unless your doctor says so.
- Amikacin
Together they raise the risk of permanent hearing loss and kidney damage.
- Gentamicin