Lasix (furosemide)

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while having treatment with this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Furosemide decreases blood pressure. If it is used in combination with other medicines that lower blood pressure, either as a side effect, or to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives), the combination might lower your blood pressure too much and make you feel dizzy or faint. Your doctor may need to adjust your doses. Other medicines that decrease blood pressure include the following:

ACE inhibitors such as enalapril

alpha-blockers such as prazosin

beta-blockers such as propranolol

calcium-channel blockers such as verapamil, nifedipine

clonidine

nitrates, eg glyceryl trinitrate

certain antidepressants

certain antipsychotics

alprostadil

baclofen

benzodiazepines.

If you are due to start treatment with an ACE inhibitor, angiotensin-II receptor antagonist, or alpha-blocker, your doctor may stop your treatment with furosemide or reduce your dose for a few days beforehand, in order to avoid your blood pressure falling too low with the first dose of the new medicine.

There may be an increased risk of side effects on the kidneys if this medicine is used in combination with the following medicines:

ACE inhibitors, eg captopril

certain antibiotics, eg aminoglycosides such as gentamicin

platinum componds, eg cisplatin

other diuretics

non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eg indometacin.

There may be an increased risk of side effects on the ears if this medicine is used in combination with the following medicines:

platinum componds, eg cisplatin

vancomycin

aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin.

The following medicines may decrease the blood pressure lowering and diuretic effects of furosemide:

corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone

NSAIDs such as indometacin

phenytoin.

Furosemide may increase the blood level of the medicine lithium. People taking lithium who are being treated with furosemide should have the level of lithium in their blood closely monitored.

Furosemide can increase blood glucose levels and people with diabetes may therefore need increases in their dose of insulin or antidiabetic tablets. Blood sugar levels should be monitored.

Furosemide can decrease the amount of potassium in the blood. If it is used in combination with any of the following medicines, which can also lower potassium in the blood, the risk of a low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia) is increased:

amphotericin

corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone and prednisolone

beta 2 agonists, eg salbutamol, terbutaline

other diuretics, such as bendroflumethiazide

reboxetine

theophylline.

If the level of potassium in your blood falls during treatment, this can increase the risk of side effects on the heart caused by the following medicines:

atomoxetine

digoxin

medicines for abnormal heart rhythms, eg amiodarone, flecainide, sotalol, disopyramide

certain antipsychotic medicines, eg amisulpride, sertindole, pimozide.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Froop

Frusol

Furosemide tablets, oral solution and injection are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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