Generic Lasix

Lasix can be prescribed in the generic form furosemide. It is a member of the family of medications referred to as loop diuretics. Loop diuretics are designed to prevent the excessive absorption of salt into the body. The salt is redirected and passes out the urine instead. Lasix is primarily prescribed for people with edema (fluid retention) caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disorders like nephritic syndrome. In some cases, Lasix is prescribed to treat hypertension.

Consistent blood work must be done in order to determine that Lasix is not causing any ill effects on the body. Physicians should stress the importance of the patient’s responsibility to keep all appointments while taking this medication.

Lasix will not be tolerated well by all patients. A thorough medical assessment must be evaluated prior to dispensing this medication. Patients with a health history which includes lupus, diabetes, kidney disease, a previous allergic reaction to sulfa drugs, liver disease, or gout may not be able to take Lasix, or may require careful monitoring, dosage adjustments, and frequent testing.

The American Food and Drug Administration rated Lasix as a pregnancy risk category C, which means that this medication poses a risk of harming a developing fetus. Pregnant patients, or patients who are likely to become pregnant, should not take this drug. Lasix has been proven to excrete in breast milk and can cause harm to a nursing infant. Patients who are nursing should avoid this drug or suspend nursing while taking it.

This medication causes patients to increase their daily urine output, sometimes significantly. Dehydration is a serious threat, and patients should be urged to maintain adequate levels of salt and potassium in their daily diet.

Patients should be mindful to take this medication exactly as it has been prescribed. Should the patient accidentally miss a dose, the dose should be taken as soon as possible. The missed dose should simply be skipped should the next dose be too close. Patients should not ever double up on their medication for any reason.

In the event an overdose is suspected, patients should seek immediate medical care. Confusion, ringing in the ears, weakness, dizziness, loss of appetite, lightheadedness, and fainting are all indicators of an overdose.

Side effects are common and rarely require any type of medical attention. In most cases, reporting the side effects allows the physician to determine appropriate dosing. Side effects most often include symptoms such as headache, dizziness, constipation, diarrhea, blurry vision, stomach pain, numbness, burning pain, or the tingles.

Rarely, a patient may experience life threatening side effects, which require urgent medical care. Serious side effects may include allergic reactions, fast heart rate, muscle pain, weakness, significant change in urination or the inability to urinate at all, hearing loss, a skin rash that appears red, blistering, or peeling, easy bruising, unexplained bleeding, dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting, weakness with drowsiness, restlessness, light headedness, and nausea accompanied by low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay colored stools, and jaundice.

Patients should pay close attention to label warnings and always check with their physician before adding any new medications, over the counter or prescription, herbal supplements, vitamin supplements, or energy shots and drinks to their routine. Some medications can interact poorly with Lasix, including but not limited to indomethacin, aspirin, salicylates, diet pills, cold remedies, additional blood pressure medications, steroids, lithium, digoxin, ethacrynic acid, amikacim, gentamicin, netilmicin, streptomycin, and tobramycin.