About furosemide
Loop diuretic
Used for
- Fluid retention due to heart, liver, or kidney conditions
- High blood pressure
Usual adult dose
Fluid retention: usually 20–80 mg once, adjusted as needed. High blood pressure: usually 20–40 mg twice daily.
Usual dose in children
Fluid retention: usually 1–2 mg/kg per dose, adjusted by response; specialist supervision is needed.
Common side effects
- Frequent urination
- Dizziness or low blood pressure
- Dehydration and electrolyte changes
- Raised blood sugar or uric acid
Important warnings
- Can cause dehydration, low blood pressure, and abnormal blood salts
- Kidney function and electrolytes may require monitoring
- Use caution with sulfonamide allergy or difficulty passing urine
- Seek urgent care for severe rash, hearing changes, or fainting
Pregnancy
Use only when clearly needed; pregnancy-related fluid retention requires specialist assessment.
Breastfeeding
May reduce milk production, especially at higher doses; discuss suitability with a clinician.
Interactions
- Digoxin: electrolyte changes can increase toxicity risk
- Lithium: furosemide may raise lithium levels
- NSAIDs may reduce its effect and worsen kidney function
- Other blood-pressure medicines may increase dizziness or low blood pressure
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.