What is Furosemide: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

The doctor may also instruct you to take dietary supplements such as potassium. Make sure to follow these directions. 

Furosemide can be taken with or without food.

• You may take this medicine with food if it upsets your stomach.

How to take furosemide tablets

• Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

• If swallowing the tablet is difficult, it can be crushed. Before doing this, ask the prescriber or the pharmacist if this is okay.

• Store furosemide tablets at room temperature protected from moisture and light.

How to take furosemide oral solution

• You do not need to shake the bottle before measuring out a dose.

• Measure doses using a calibrated oral syringe or other device for measuring liquid medicine. Do not use kitchen utensils or tableware.

• Discard any unused solution 90 days after the bottle has been opened.

• Store this medicine at room temperature protected from light.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

This medicine is not right for everyone. 

Never use furosemide if you are not urinating at all (anuria).

Do not use it if you have had an allergic reaction to furosemide.

Furosemide cannot safely be given to people who are electrolyte-depleted until electrolyte levels are fixed.

Healthcare providers never use furosemide in people who are in a coma because of severe liver dysfunction.

Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will do lab tests regularly to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Tell your doctor if you have:

• Kidney disease

• Liver disease (including cirrhosis)

• Urinary retention including trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate

• Diabetes

• Gout

• Low blood pressure

• Lupus

Tell your doctor if you’re allergic to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet.

This medicine may cause the following problems: 

• Electrolyte depletion, particularly low potassium or low sodium

• Increased blood sugar levels

• Hearing problems

This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much, especially when you first use it or if you are dehydrated. Stand or sit up slowly if you feel lightheaded or dizzy.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking furosemide.

Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

If you are taking the stomach protectant sucralfate, take your furosemide dose at least two hours before or two hours after your sucralfate dose. 

Ethacrynic acid, another diuretic, should never be taken with furosemide.

Some medicines may cause problems when combined with furosemide. Tell your doctor if you are also taking: 

• NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen

• Blood pressure medications, particularly ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)

• Corticosteroids such as prednisone

• Thyroid medications

• Aminoglycoside antibiotics

• The heart failure drug digoxin

• The cancer drug cisplatin

• The immune suppressants cyclosporine or methotrexate

• The seizure medication phenytoin

• Lithium

• Licorice supplements

Alcohol, narcotic pain medicine, or sleeping pills may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when combined with furosemide.

People with high blood pressure should avoid medications that raise blood pressure including over-the-counter treatments for cold symptoms or weight loss.