Furosemide

Furosemide, a 'water pill,' is used to reduce the swelling and fluid retention caused by various medical problems, including heart or liver disease. It is also used to treat high blood pressure. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Furosemide comes as a tablet and liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day in the morning or twice a day in the morning and afternoon. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take furosemide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Furosemide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take furosemide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking furosemide without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Frequent urination may last for up to 6 hours after a dose and should decrease after you take furosemide for a few weeks. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

<ul>
<li>
muscle cramps</li>
<li>
weakness</li>
<li>
dizziness</li>
<li>
confusion</li>
<li>
thirst</li>
<li>
upset stomach</li>
<li>
vomiting</li>
<li>
blurred vision</li>
<li>
headache</li>
<li>
restlessness</li>
<li>
constipation</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
<li>
fever</li>
<li>
sore throat</li>
<li>
ringing in the ears</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
<li>
loss of hearing</li>
<li>
severe rash with peeling skin</li>
<li>
difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
<li>
rapid, excessive weight loss</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking furosemide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to furosemide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medications for high blood pressure, aspirin, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), digoxin (Lanoxin), indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for diabetes, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. If you also are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it at least 1 hour after taking furosemide. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver disease. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking furosemide. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Furosemide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.