Furosemide – application, contraindications, substitutes. Side effects of the drug Furosemide

Proven content

Furosemide is a drug that has a diuretic effect. It also has an antihypertensive effect, which is why it is prescribed to people suffering from hypertension. Furosemide is also used in patients suffering from kidney problems or cirrhosis.

Furosemide – mode of action and application

Furosemide belongs to the group of diuretics, which act very quickly and effectively. It works by, among other things, reducing the volume of blood circulating in the veins and the tension of the walls of blood vessels, which contributes to the reduction of blood pressure. In some patients, Furosemide also increases the level of glucose in the blood serum. Therefore, the drug Furosemide is used in the treatment of hypertension or ailments in the treatment of which it is necessary to use diuretics with fast and effective action.

Furosemide is also used to treat edema associated with cirrhosis and kidney disease.

Furosemide – contraindications

Furosemide should not be used in patients with prostatic hyperplasia or other conditions that affect the proper urination of urine. Furosemide treatment should not be used in patients suffering from anuria (passing less than 100 ml of urine per day) and sensitive to furosemide or other drugs from the sulfonamide group. Patients suffering from cirrhosis of the liver undergoing treatment with Furosemide should be hospitalized, as their condition should be monitored on an ongoing basis.

When using Furosemide in people with diabetes or latent diabetes, special care should be taken because Furosemide may contribute to an increase in blood glucose levels. Treatment with Furosemidum should be discontinued in patients with renal insufficiency, occasional azotaemia (excess of nitrogen compounds in the blood) and oliguria (reduction in urine output during the day). Furosemide is a lactose-containing medicine, therefore it should not be used in patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption.

Furosemide – side effects

During treatment with Furosemide, a wide range of side effects may occur. Among them, there are disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system, such as abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or anorexia. In addition to the above-mentioned side effects, the use of Furosemide may negatively affect the work of the central nervous system, which may result in tinnitus, headaches and dizziness, or visual disturbances.

Other side effects during the use of Furosemide are skin changes (urticaria, rash, itching), nephritis, and sometimes fever. Treatment with Furosemide may also contribute to significant dehydration of the body, anemia or hyperglycaemia (increased blood glucose levels). In turn, excessive dehydration can lead to cardiovascular collapse and thromboembolic complications.

For the treatment of edema, an adult patient should not lose more than 1 kg of body weight per day. Hypovolemia, hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia, hypocalcaemia and hypomagnesaemia may also occur during the use of Furesemidum.

In the case of newborns, the use of Furosemide increases the risk of survival of the Botalla ductus arteriosus. Furosemidum may also cause temporary or irreversible hearing damage, especially in the case of coexisting renal failure and in people taking other ototoxic drugs at the same time; Irreversible deafness may occur.

It should be remembered that during treatment with Furosemide, alcohol should not be consumed, as it may increase the blood pressure lowering effect, causing it to lower it too much. Too little pressure can lead to headaches and dizziness and, consequently, to fainting.

Furosemide – substitutes

Substitutes of the drug Furosemide are only in the form of injection. These include Furosemide Accord and Furosemide Kabi. However, special care should be taken when using substitutes for Furosemide, because the patient may be allergic to the excipients contained in the substitute. Before using a substitute for Furosemide, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Furosemide and pregnancy and breastfeeding

The drug Furosemide during pregnancy can be used only for short-term therapy, if the benefits of treating the mother outweigh the risk of harm to the fetus. It should be added that the drug Furosemidum can inhibit lactation. There were no adverse effects in newborns of mothers taking Furosemide. As Furosemide passes into breast milk, the preparation should be used with caution in breastfeeding women.

Furosemide – control tests

It should be remembered that while using Furosemide, frequent monitoring of serum electrolytes (especially potassium), creatinine, urea and acid-base balance parameters is necessary. The use of Furosemide may increase the concentration of urea in the blood serum, which is associated with excessive dehydration.

In diabetics taking Furosemide, blood and urine glucose levels should be checked periodically. It is also advisable to control the concentration of calcium and magnesium in the blood serum, as Furosemide reduces their concentration.