HOW SHOULD THIS MEDICINE BE USED?
You should not use Lasix® (furosemide) tablets if you are unable to urinate.
Before using Lasix tablets, tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
- kidney disease
- enlarged prostate
- urination problems
- cirrhosis or other liver disease
- an electrolyte imbalance
- high cholesterol
- gout
- lupus
- diabetes
- an allergy to sulfa drugs
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breast feeding
Tell your doctor if you have recently had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or any type of scan using a radioactive dye that is injected into your veins.
Do not take more of Lasix tablets than is recommended by your doctor. High doses of Lasix tablets may cause irreversible hearing loss.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, you must continue to use Lasix tablets even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Lasix tablets will make you urinate more often and you may become dehydrated. Follow your doctor’s instructions about using potassium supplements or getting enough salt and potassium in your diet.
While using Lasix tablets, you may need blood tests at your doctor’s office.
Take this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) of the day as directed. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Sucralfate can decrease the absorption of Lasix tablets. If you are taking this drug, separate the timing of each dose from Lasix tablets by at least 2 hours.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens (for example, your blood pressure readings remain high or increases).
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE LASIX® (furosemide) TABLETS?
You should not use Lasix® (furosemide) tablets if you are unable to urinate.
To make sure you can safely take Lasix tablets, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
- kidney disease
- enlarged prostate, bladder obstruction or other urination problems
- cirrhosis or other liver disease
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood)
- high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood)
- gout
- lupus
- diabetes or
- an allergy to furosemide or sulfa drugs
Tell your doctor if you have recently had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or any type of scan using a radioactive dye that is injected into your veins.
It is not known whether Lasix tablets will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Lasix tablets can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow the onset of breast milk production. Do not use Lasix tablets without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Take Lasix tablets exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. High doses of Lasix tablets may cause irreversible hearing loss.
Taking Lasix tablets may cause you to experience symptoms from excessive fluid and/or electrolyte losses. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly, and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Lasix tablets may reduce the potassium level in your blood. Your doctor may instruct you to add potassium-rich foods to your diet (such as bananas, orange juice) or prescribe potassium supplements to prevent potassium loss. Ask your doctor for more details.
Your doctor will monitor you and advise you if potassium supplements and/or dietary measures are needed.
Avoid becoming dehydrated. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while you are taking Lasix tablets.
If you have diabetes, Lasix tablets may increase your blood glucose levels and thereby affect urine glucose tests.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
If you have high blood pressure, avoid medications that may increase blood pressure, including over-the-counter products for appetite suppression and cold symptoms.
This drug may make you dizzy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit the intake of alcoholic beverages.
Severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting can increase the risk of dehydration. Report prolonged diarrhea or vomiting to your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the amount of fluids you can drink.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).
Babies born early (premature infants) and children may be more sensitive to certain effects of this drug, such as kidney stones.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking this drug during pregnancy.
Lasix tablets pass into breast milk and may affect milk production. Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking this drug while you are breast feeding.
TAKING OTHER MEDICINES:
Drug interactions may change how your medicines work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medications without your doctor’s approval.
If you are taking sucralfate (Carafate), wait at least 2 hours after you take Lasix tablets before taking Carafate.
Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:
- cisplatin (Platinol)
- cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf, Sandimmune)
- ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall)
- phenytoin (Dilantin)
- an antibiotic such as amikacin (Amikin), cefdinir (Omnicef), cefprozil (Cefzil), cefuroxime (Ceftin), cephalexin (Keflex), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Mycifradin, Neo Fradin, Neo Tab), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi)
- heart or blood pressure medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), benazepril (Lotensin), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), enalapril (Vasotec), irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), telmisartan (Micardis), valsartan (Diovan), and others
- a laxative (Metamucil, Milk of Magnesia, Colace, Dulcolax, Epsom salts, senna, and others)
- salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan’s Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others
- steroids (prednisone and others)
THIS LIST IS NOT COMPLETE AND OTHER DRUGS MAY INTERACT WITH LASIX TABLETS. TELL YOUR DOCTORS ABOUT ALL MEDICINES YOU USE. THIS INCLUDES PRESCRIPTION, OVER-THE-COUNTER, VITAMIN AND HERBAL PRODUCTS. DO NOT START A NEW MEDICATION WITHOUT TELLING YOUR DOCTOR.