Furosemide (Lasix) is a drug that belongs to the loop diuretic group and is usually used to treat edema (water retention in tissues). The active ingredient is produced in South Africa in the form of tablets, retard capsules and in the form of a solution for injection. Since furosemide is a white, crystalline powder, odorless and insoluble in water, it is found in injection solutions as sodium furosemide.
Active ingredient of Lasix and effect
As an active ingredient, furosemide (lasix) is used for various diseases such as high blood pressure and edema due to heart failure, liver and kidney diseases, or burns. If hyperkalemia is present, Lasix helps to flush excess potassium. Unfortunately, furosemide is often misused when it comes to making doping difficult to detect.
As a loop diuretic, furosemide is potent, fast and short acting. In the kidneys, it blocks the transport mechanism of potassium, chloride and sodium ions. This leads to an increase in the excretion of electrolytes and, at the same time, the so-called osmotically bound water. Since furosemide promotes the removal of water accumulations in tissues, it helps to ease the work of the heart. In addition, the leaching of calcium and magnesium ions increases. However, at the same time, there can be a decrease in the excretion of uric acid and violations of the acid-base balance, up to metabolic alcoholism.
Depending on the dose, it plays a role in stimulating hormonal control of urinary excretion, so it may also be helpful in treating kidney dysfunction. In case of heart failure, it can also reduce the preload of the heart by vasodilation. Due to the increased excretion of sodium chloride, Lasix can also lower blood pressure.
Dosage of Lasix
The dosage of furosemide depends on the disease to be treated. If it is necessary to treat edema caused by heart, liver or kidney disease, the dose is 40 milligrams as a tablet or 60 milligrams as an extended-release capsule. If the result of treatment is unsatisfactory, a single dose can be increased to 80 milligrams. In exceptional cases and under clinical supervision, it is possible to further increase the dose if treatment still does not help. In the case of edema due to burns, the dose is 40 to 100 milligrams; in exceptional cases, it can be increased to 240 milligrams (orally) or 250 milligrams (intravenously) in case of impaired renal function.
Arterial hypertension can be treated with 40 milligrams of furosemide as a tablet or 60 milligrams as a sustained release capsule. In connection with the numerous fields of application, it should be mentioned here that usually the attending physician decides on the dose and dosage form. In the case of children, it is also important to ensure that the dosage is between one and two milligrams per kilogram of body weight and that the daily dosage does not exceed 40 milligrams.
Application deadline
How long Lasix should be used depends on the type and severity of the disease. In addition, the lowest effective dose should always be used when it comes to dosage. It should be taken whole on an empty stomach with plenty of fluids.
Intravenous administration is used only if oral administration is impossible or ineffective, or a rapid onset of action is required. Intramuscular injection is used only in exceptional cases (not in acute situations such as pulmonary edema).
Side effects of furosemide
As with any medicine, the active ingredient furosemide can also have side effects.
Very often there are electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, increased triglyceride levels in the blood, circulatory problems up to circulatory collapse with excessive diuresis (in combination with headache, dizziness, visual impairment), as well as an increase in serum creatinine.
In addition, side effects such as increased blood cholesterol, increased urine volume, hypokalemia (eg, with vomiting, muscle weakness, constipation, irritation, and conduction disturbances), hepatic encephalopathy or hyponatremia, and hypochloremia (accompanied by leg cramps, apathy, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness). In addition, allergic reactions of the skin and mucous membranes, limited glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia, nausea and / or reversible hearing impairment and, in rare cases, fever, vomiting and diarrhea, severe anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions (eg, skin reactions, anxiety , headache, sweating, nausea). ) come.
Interactions
In addition, natural interactions with other medications are possible. Acute renal failure can be triggered by the simultaneous use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medicines such as methotrexate, probenecid, sucralfate, and phenytoin can reduce the effects of Lasix. A healthcare professional in South Africa can provide information on further drug interactions such as cardiac glycosides, diabetes drugs, psychotropic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or hypnotics, muscle relaxants, or the anti-asthma drug theophylline.
It is not recommended to take furosemide if you are known to have a hypersensitivity to the active ingredient itself, sulfonamides or other components of the drug. In addition, it should not be used for renal failure with anuria, severe hypokalemia or hyponatremia, dehydration, and insufficient blood flow.
Notes and risks
In addition, special care is required in some cases when using Lasix. This includes developing and existing diabetes, circulatory disturbances in the vessels of the brain, a lack of protein in the blood, impaired urine flow (for example, after a blockage of the urinary tract or an enlarged prostate), gout, or narrowing. coronary arteries and the associated decrease in blood supply to the heart, as well as contraction of the liver and a simultaneous weakening of kidney function. If the outflow of urine is impaired, furosemide should be used only if a free outflow of urine is guaranteed. This prevents the bladder from over-stretching as a result of urine drainage.
During pregnancy, taking Lasix is indicated only in exceptional cases, and in this case it should not be used for a long period of time. In experiments on animals, it was possible to demonstrate the teratogenic effect of the active substance, which can have a negative effect on the growth of the unborn child due to a decrease in blood flow to the uterus and placenta. You can also expect a mineral imbalance in the unborn child and damage to the child's kidneys.
It is not recommended to use furosemide during breastfeeding, since the active ingredient not only passes into breast milk, but also reduces milk production. Depending on the dosage and the type and duration of use, Lasix can also cause damage in infants such as dehydration.
If Lasix is prescribed as part of long-term therapy, a doctor in South Africa should regularly check serum electrolytes, creatinine, blood sugar and lipids, urea, uric acid, and bicarbonate.
Since the effects of alcohol are enhanced with furosemide, patients should strictly abstain from drinking alcohol. In addition, the active ingredient affects the responsiveness so strongly that it is unsafe to actively participate in road traffic and operate machines.