Furosemide is a loop diuretic used to lower blood pressure and relieve symptoms of edema. It is more commonly known by the brand names Lasix, Fusid or Frumex, though it is also possible to buy furosemide as a generic.

Understanding Diuretics

Diuretics work by encouraging the kidneys to filter salts out of the blood, causing them to be secreted in urine, along with the water the salts draw with them. The resulting reduction in water reduces the volume of blood, which lowers blood pressure; the removal of excess water also reduces or eliminates the swelling associated with edema.

There are three general categories of diuretics:

• Loop diuretics, which is what furosemide is, act on the ascending loop of Henle in the kidney. Loop diuretics are usually the preferred treatment in patients with impaired kidney function, though it may also be used in patients with no kidney issues.
• Thiazide diuretics act on the distal convoluted tubules in the kidney, and are generally less effective in patients with damaged kidneys; otherwise they function the same as loop diuretics.
• Potassium-sparing diuretics encourage the elimination of sodium but not potassium, which is critical in patients who have low potassium levels, a condition which can be life-threatening.

All three types of diuretics may be used short or long term. In long term use, lasting more than a few months, regular doctor exams are important to monitor for developing adverse effects, such as low potassium.

Managing Edema

Furosemide is widely used to treat edema cause by congestive heart failure, but it may be used to manage symptoms from other causes as well. Because this medication can produce serious side effects, patients should not buy furosemide to treat conditions that have not been diagnosed as edema; it may not be an ideal choice for similar ailments.

In very severe cases the medication may be given by injection or IV in a medical setting. More commonly, however, it is taken by tablet. Treatment is highly variable, depending on individual circumstances:

• Patients are usually started on an initial dose of 20 to 80 mg.
• According to response to the initial dose, dosage may be increased by 20 to 40 mg at a time, up to a maximum of 600 mg per day; a 600 mg dose is very unusual, however.
• Once the ideal dosage has been found, the medication may be taken daily, or may be taken just a few days per week.
• Doses may be taken all at once or split into 2 smaller doses.
• Doses should be taken at least 6 hours apart.

When administered by tablet the medication starts working after about 30 minutes, and remains active for 6 hours. During that time frequency and volume of urine may noticeably increase. Most patients notice a significant improvement on the first day or two of treatment.

Lowering Blood Pressure

Furosemide may be used on its own or in combination with other hypertension treatments to lower blood pressure. Treatment is generally long-term:

• Most patients are prescribed 80 mg per day, though this may vary for some individuals.
• Each daily dose should be divided into two smaller doses, taken 8 to 12 hours apart.
• Be alert for symptoms of low blood pressure if taking more than one medication designed to treat hypertension.

Because high blood pressure rarely produces noticeable symptoms, most patients can't tell if furosemide is having any effect. It may take a few weeks of treatment for full effects to be realized, and regular doctor exams are vital to ensure it is working as intended.

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