The drug furosemide treats high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure and a build up of fluid in the body (edema).
Furosemide is also sometimes used in people to help them pee when they have kidney problems and kidneys that are not functioning properly.
It's usually best to drink normally while you're taking furosemide.
A good rule is to drink enough fluid so that you're not thirsty for long periods, and to steadily increase your fluid intake when exercising and during hot weather.
Furosemide is given to help treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling that is caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions.
It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine.
Furosemide is a loop diuretic which has been in use for decades.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved furosemide to treat conditions with volume overload and edema secondary to congestive heart failure exacerbation, liver failure, or renal failure, including the nephrotic syndrome.
Common side effects of furosemide include.
Peeing more than normal. This will last for about 6 hours after taking furosemide.
Feeling thirsty. It's important not to get dehydrated, but how much you drink will depend on why you're taking furosemide.
Dry mouth.
Headaches.
Feeling confused or dizzy.
Feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
When you're taking a diuretic such as furosemide, it's important not to have too much salt in your food because this can stop it working.
Do not eat foods that have a lot of salt in them, such as processed foods or ready-meals.
Do not add extra salt when you're cooking or at the table.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these unlikely but serious side effects when taking furosemide which include muscle cramps, weakness, unusual tiredness, confusion, severe dizziness, fainting, drowsiness, unusual dry mouth/thirst, nausea, vomiting, fast/irregular heartbeat.
When used to treat edema, furosemide may be taken daily or only on certain days of the week.
When used to treat hypertension, take furosemide around the same time(s) every day.
Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand.
Furosemide is used to reduce extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, and kidney disease.
This can lessen symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in your arms, legs, and abdomen.
This drug is also used to treat high blood pressure.
You will usually take furosemide once a day in the morning.
Some people take it twice a day, once in the morning and again at lunchtime.
Furosemide starts to work within 1 hour.
Most people need to pee about 30 minutes after taking furosemide, and again within a few hours.