All About Lasix
Lasix (Furosemide) is a diuretic that is prescribed to patients with high blood pressure and edema. Lasix is a fast-acting diuretic, a sulfonamide derivative. The active ingredient of the Furosemide prevents the transport of sodium, chlorine, and potassium ions in the thick segment of the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.
Under the influence of Furosemide, the outflow of urine increases, along with which the excretion of magnesium and calcium ions increases. In heart failure, the drug quickly eliminates the increased load due to the expansion of the veins, reduces pressure in the pulmonary artery and the intensity of blood supply to the left ventricle of the heart.
The Lasix has a pronounced hypotensive effect due to increased excretion of sodium ions, a decrease in the volume of circulating fluid, and a decrease in the tone of vascular smooth muscles. After taking the tablet, the therapeutic effect of Furosemide is observed after 1 hour and lasts for 5 hours.
Indications
Lasix is usually prescribed for the treatment of the following conditions:
- Chronic renal failure with severe edema;
- Heart failure in a chronic form, accompanied by edema of the lower extremities;
- Acute renal failure in pregnant women;
- Nephropathy with severe edema as part of complex treatment;
- Arterial hypertension, hypertensive crisis;
- Pregnancy gestosis.
Contraindications
Lasix (Furosemide) is taken orally only as directed by a doctor. Before starting therapy, it is recommended our patients from home health care, to study the instructions for the water pill carefully. Lasix is contraindicated in the following conditions:
- Renal failure with symptoms of anuria or a significant decrease in daily diuresis;
- Coma, accompanied by impaired liver function;
- Severe hyponatremia and hypokalemia;
- Dehydration of the body;
- Severely low blood pressure;
- Acute inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract, accompanied by a violation of the outflow of urine;
- Acute glomerulonephritis;
- Aortic or mitral stenosis;
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with symptoms of obstruction;
- Hyperuricemia;
- Age in children under 3 years;
- The period of breastfeeding;
- Individual hypersensitivity to the components that make up Lasix.
With caution, tablets are taken in the presence of the following conditions:
- Acute myocardial infarction due to a high risk of developing cardiogenic shock;
- A latent course of diabetes;
- Gout;
- Diarrhea;
- Systemic lupus erythematosus;
- dropsy of the kidney;
- Arrhythmia of the ventricles of the heart;
- Prostate hypertrophy in men;
- Pancreatitis.
Method of application and dosing regimen of the Lasix
Lasix medication should be taken on an empty stomach and swallowed immediately with a small amount of water. The doctor calculates the drug dose, trying to limit himself to the minimum, but quite effective. The dosage depends on the patient’s body weight, age, and severity of the pathological condition.
For children, the daily dose should not exceed Lasix 40mg, divided into several doses. The duration of the course of treatment is determined based on the indications and the severity of the clinical condition.
Patients with chronic heart failure with severe edema are prescribed Lasix at the minimum effective dosage, starting with half a tablet, increasing the dose if necessary. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 40 mg or 2 tablets of Furosemide, which is divided into several doses.
In chronic renal failure with edematous syndrome, the initial dose is 1 tablet per day divided into 2 doses of 0.5 tablets. With insufficiently pronounced therapeutic effect, the dose is increased under the supervision of a physician.
With a hypertensive crisis and high blood pressure, the daily initial dose of the drug Nolvadex is half a tablet, which is taken at a time or divided by a quarter of the pill. With an insufficiently pronounced effect, the dose is slightly increased, however, it is permissible to take no more than 40mg of Lasix per day.
Side effects
Against the background of the use of the drug Lasix with an inadequate dosing regimen, the patient quickly develops negative side reactions:
- From the side of the water-salt balance – a decrease in the blood level of potassium, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, calcium, against which the metabolic alkalosis and disorder of the function of the kidneys and other vital organs are rapidly developing;
- The risk of developing thrombosis against the background of changes in water and electrolyte balance;
- Increase in serum levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, fats;
- From the side of the cardiovascular system – a rapid decrease in blood pressure, dizziness, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, vascular insufficiency, collapse;
- Decreased glucose tolerance;
- Acute urinary retention, development of hydronephrosis, hematuria, glomerulonephritis;
- From the digestive canal – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, intrahepatic cholestasis, increased activity of hepatic transaminases;
- Reversible hearing loss;
- A feeling of “crawling” on the body.
People prone to allergic reactions may develop rashes, urticaria, and itching of the skin. In addition, there are is here other effective the medications: Valium, Lorazepam, Modafini.