| drug name | Furosemide |
| classification | Loop diuretic |
| pharmacokinetics | | absorption | Rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak plasma levels occurring within 1-2 hours after oral administration. | | distribution | Distributes widely throughout the body, including the kidneys, liver, and lungs. | | metabolism | Primarily metabolized by the liver. | | excretion | Excreted primarily by the kidneys. The half-life is relatively short, around 2 hours, allowing for frequent dosing. |
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| suggested dosage | | oral | The typical starting dose for adults is 20-40 mg orally once or twice daily, but this can be adjusted to meet individual patient needs. | | IV | Intravenous administration can be given in doses of 20-40 mg, followed by continuous or intermittent infusion. |
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| indications | | 1 | Edema associated with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, and renal disease. | | 2 | Hypertension. | | 3 | Acute pulmonary edema. | | 4 | Hypercalcemia. | | 5 | Hyperkalemia. |
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| safety in pregnancy | Furosemide crosses the placenta. It should be used only when the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks to the fetus. Use during pregnancy is generally discouraged unless other medications are not effective or tolerated. Consult with a healthcare professional. |
| safety in breastfeeding | Furosemide is excreted into breast milk. The decision to use the medication during breastfeeding should be made after weighing the potential benefits and risks to the infant. Frequent monitoring of the infant for potential adverse effects is recommended. |
| side effects | | 1 | Dehydration | | 2 | Electrolyte imbalances (especially hyponatremia, hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and hypomagnesemia), | | 3 | Hypotension | | 4 | Headache | | 5 | Dizziness | | 6 | Muscle cramps | | 7 | Nausea | | 8 | Vomiting | | 9 | Diarrhea | | 10 | Photosensitivity | | 11 | Increased blood glucose levels | | 12 | Ear ringing (tinnitus) |
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| alternatives | |
| contraindications | | 1 | Severe dehydration | | 2 | Severe electrolyte imbalance | | 3 | Renal insufficiency | | 4 | Hypersensitivity to furosemide or sulfonamide drugs | | 5 | Anuria |
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| interactions | | 1 | Other diuretics | | 2 | Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) | | 3 | Lithium | | 4 | Digoxin | | 5 | Aminoglycoside antibiotics | | 6 | Certain antihypertensives | | 7 | Potassium-sparing diuretics |
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| warnings and precautions | | 1 | Monitor blood pressure and electrolyte levels closely, especially potassium, sodium, chloride and magnesium. | | 2 | Closely monitor renal function, especially in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. | | 3 | Avoid use in patients with a history of sulfa allergy due to a potential cross-reactivity | | 4 | Caution should be exercised in patients with a history of liver disease. |
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| additional information | Adjust the dose to individual patient response. Monitor for signs of dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities, particularly hypokalemia. Consider concurrent supplementation with potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods if indicated. The patient should be educated on the importance of monitoring urine output and the early recognition of signs/symptoms of dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. |
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