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Lasix (furosemide) is a diuretic most often used to lower blood pressure or remove excess fluid in edema. The medication is loop diuretic, meaning it acts on a different part of the kidney than thiazide diuretics, and it does not inhibit secretion of potassium as potassium-sparing diuretics do.

Like all diuretics it increases the volume and frequency of urination, which decreases the volume of fluid in the blood, which reduces blood pressure.

Lasix is also sometimes used to promote urination when kidney failure significantly reduces urine production.

Dosage & Administration

Treatment with Lasix can vary tremendously between patients, even when the medication is given for the same condition. It is therefore very difficult to describe treatment beyond very rough generalizations; only a doctor can determine the ideal dose.

In edema:

• 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 2 or 4 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.

In hypertension (high blood pressure):

• 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.

Lasix is very dose-dependent; higher doses will promote greater extraction of salts and greater urine output, though some conditions may complicate the process. Because Lasix is not a potassium-sparing diuretic, potassium levels should be monitored, especially at the start of treatment. If it is being given for high blood pressure in combination with other blood pressure-reducing drugs, blood pressure should also be monitored closely to ensure it does not drop too far.

Tablets begin to work after about 30 minutes and remain effective for around 6 hours, during which time urination will be more frequent than normal. Doses should not be taken around bedtime.

Edema patients very often notice significant improvements in the first few days of starting treatment, sometimes in the first few hours. Since hypertension often does not produce noticeable side effects, patients taking Lasix to reduce blood pressure will need to rely on doctor exams to determine if the medication is working.

Duration of treatment can also vary tremendously, from a few days to decades, or anywhere in between, depending on the condition and if it can be resolved.

Warnings & Side Effects

Used properly and with doctor supervision Lasix is unlikely to produce serious side effects. There are a few things to keep in mind to ensure treatment remains trouble-free, however:

• Lasix may increase blood sugar levels, which may be a concern for diabetics.
• Use during pregnancy may produce an unusually large baby, which can cause complications at birth.
• It may make skin more sensitive to sun or other UV sources; sunburns may happen much faster than normal, and may be more severe.
• There is some association with permanent tinnitus or deafness and Lasix use; however, these cases involved taking more than the prescribed amount of the medication.
• Some patients experience dizziness and mild confusion while taking Lasix; use caution performing complex tasks until the medication's effects are known.

Since the body is expelling more water than usual, care must be taken to not become dangerously dehydrated. Warning signs of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance include dry mouth or skin, excessive thirst, low blood pressure, muscle cramps or weakness, and lethargy.