How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient frusemide (also known as furosemide), which is a type of medicine called a loop diuretic. Loop diuretics act in the kidney to remove excess water from the blood, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine. Removing water from the blood causes a decrease in the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. This drop in fluid volume decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body. There are many conditions which may lead to an accumulation of fluid in the body (oedema). Frusemide is commonly used in conditions such as heart failure, where the pumping mechanism of the heart is less effective. It is used to relieve the symptoms of heart failure, such as the shortness of breath seen with fluid on the lungs. At higher doses the amount of water drawn from the blood into the urine is much greater, therefore frusemide is also used when there is reduced production of urine in patients with kidney failure. Frusemide is also used to remove excess fluid associated with liver failure, hypertension, and poor circulation in the periphery (ie arms and legs).

What is it used for?

Excess fluid retention causing swelling (oedema) due to any cause

Kidney failure resulting in diminished production of urine

Warning!

It is recommended that individuals taking this medicine have their fluid and salt (electrolyte) balance monitored regularly.

If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.

As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Use with caution in

Breastfeeding

Diabetes

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

Enlarged prostate gland

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Low blood sodium levels (hyponatraemia)

Low volume of circulating blood (hypovolaemia)

Pregnancy

Not to be used in

Allergy to any of the active ingredients

Allergy to medicines from the sulphonamide group, eg the antibiotic sulphamethoxazole

Deficiency in the concentration of salts in the blood (electrolyte deficiency)

Kidney failure, preventing production of urine

Liver disease that is causing the patient to become unconscious

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine should be used with caution by breastfeeding mothers, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than the possible risk to the baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Headache

Muscle cramps

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

High blood uric acid level (hyperuricaemia) which can cause kidney problems and gout

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Low blood calcium level (hypocalcaemia)

Alkaline body fluids and tissues (alkalosis)

Disturbances in the levels of chemical components (electrolytes) in the blood

Rash

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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