home > drugs a-z list > lasix (furosemide) drug center > lasix (furosemide) drug - patient avoid while taking

In this Article

• What is furosemide (Lasix)?
• What are the possible side effects of furosemide
• What is the most important information I should know about furosemide (Lasix)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking furosemide (Lasix)?
• How should I take furosemide (Lasix)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Lasix)?
• What happens if I overdose (Lasix)?
• What should I avoid while taking furosemide (Lasix)?
• What other drugs will affect furosemide (Lasix)?
• Where can I get more information?

What happens if I miss a dose (Lasix)?

Furosemide is sometimes used only once, so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you are using the medication regularly, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose (Lasix)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include ringing in your ears, loss of appetite, weakness, dizziness, confusion, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking furosemide (Lasix)?

Avoid becoming dehydrated. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while you are taking furosemide.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Furosemide can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

What other drugs will affect furosemide (Lasix)?

If you take sucralfate (Carafate), take it at least 2 hours before or after you take furosemide.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• lithium;
• digoxin (Lanoxin);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• ethacrynic acid (Edecrin);
• diet pills or cold medicine;
• other blood pressure medications;
• amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), netilmicin (Netromycin), streptomycin, tobramycin (Nebcin, Tobi);
• salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, Tricosal, and others; or
• indomethacin.

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with furosemide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about furosemide.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2010 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 9.02. Revision date: 4/12/2009.

Your use of the content provided in this service indicates that you have read,understood and agree to the End-User License Agreement,which can be accessed by clicking on this link.