About Lasix Tablet
Lasix Tablet contains Furosemide 40 mg. Furosemide is a strong diuretic (water tablet). It helps the kidneys remove extra salt and water from the body by making you pass more urine. It is used to reduce fluid build-up (swelling) caused by heart, liver or kidney problems, and sometimes for high blood pressure.
Uses of Lasix Tablet
- Fluid build-up (oedema) due to heart failure
- Swelling due to liver or kidney disease
- High blood pressure, in some cases
Benefits
In fluid build-up
It removes extra fluid, which reduces swelling of the legs and tummy and eases breathlessness caused by fluid in the lungs.
In high blood pressure
Removing extra salt and water helps lower blood pressure.
Side effects
You will pass more urine for a few hours after each dose. Your doctor may check your blood salts and kidney function regularly.
Common
- Passing urine more often
- Dizziness or light-headedness, especially when standing up
- Thirst or dry mouth
- Muscle cramps
- Low potassium or sodium in the blood
Get medical help if you notice
- Severe dizziness, fainting or confusion (possible dehydration or very low blood pressure) — seek medical help
- Muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat (possible low potassium) — contact your doctor
- Ringing in the ears or hearing loss — contact your doctor
- Passing very little urine — contact your doctor
- Severe skin rash or blistering — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually in the morning so you do not need to get up at night to pass urine. Swallow the tablet with water.
How it works
It acts on part of the kidney called the loop of Henle and stops it taking back salt. More salt and water then leave the body in the urine.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Alcohol can lower your blood pressure further and add to dizziness and dehydration. Limit it.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
It passes into breast milk and may reduce milk supply. Labelling advises against breastfeeding while taking it; talk to your doctor.
Driving Caution
It can cause dizziness, especially at the start. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Caution
It is often used in kidney disease, but needs close monitoring. It must not be used if you are passing no urine at all.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease; your doctor will monitor you. It should not be used in severe liver failure with confusion.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is late in the day — then skip it so you are not up at night. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Take it in the morning (or as your doctor advises) to avoid getting up at night.
- Stand up slowly if you feel dizzy.
- Tell your doctor if you have vomiting or diarrhoea, as you may get dehydrated.
- Keep your appointments for blood tests to check salts and kidney function.
- Weigh yourself regularly if your doctor asks, to check fluid levels.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Sulfonamide (anthranilic acid derivative)
- Therapeutic class
- Cardiovascular
- Action class
- Loop diuretic
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Lithium | Furosemide can raise lithium levels to harmful amounts |
| Digoxin | Low potassium caused by furosemide increases the risk of digoxin side effects |
| NSAID pain relievers | Can reduce its effect and increase the risk of kidney problems |
| Aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin | Increase the risk of hearing and kidney damage |
| Other blood pressure medicines | May lower blood pressure too much |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Furosemide prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); Furosemide Summary of Product Characteristics (EMC)). Pharmacist review pending.