Furosemide is a drug indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension and for the treatment of swelling due to disorders of the heart, liver, kidneys or burns, due to its diuretic and antihypertensive effect.
This medicine is available in pharmacies in generic or with the trade names Lasix or Neosemid, in tablets or injection, and can be purchased for a price of about 5 to 14 reais, depending on whether the person chooses the brand or generic, being necessary to presentation of medical prescription.
What is it for
Furosemide is indicated for the treatment of mild to moderate high blood pressure, swelling of the body due to problems with the heart, liver or kidneys or due to burns.
How to use
How to use furosemide should be guided by your doctor, and it usually varies between 20 to 80 mg a day, at the beginning of treatment, as needed. The maintenance dose is 20 to 40 mg daily.
In children, the recommended dosage is usually 2 mg / kg body weight, up to a maximum of 40 mg per day.
Injectable furosemide should only be used in a hospital setting and should be administered by a healthcare professional.
What is the mechanism of action
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that produces a potent diuretic effect with a rapid onset of short duration. The diuretic action of furosemide results from the inhibition of sodium chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle, leading to an increase in sodium excretion and, consequently, to a greater volume of urinary excretion.
Know other mechanisms of action of different types of diuretics.
Possible side effects
Some of the most common side effects that can occur during treatment with furosemide are electrolyte disturbances, dehydration and hypovolemia, especially in elderly patients, increased levels of creatinine and triglycerides in the blood, hyponatremia, reduced levels of potassium and chloride in the blood, increased levels of cholesterol and uric acid in the blood, gout attacks and increased urinary volume.
Who should not use
Furosemide is contraindicated in people who are hypersensitive to the components of the formula.
In addition, it should also not be used in lactating women, in patients with kidney failure with thoracic urine elimination, pre-coma and coma due to liver encephalopathy, in patients with reduced levels of potassium and sodium in the blood, with dehydration or decreased circulating blood.
