Lasix (Frusemide (Furosemide) 40mg) Tablets

Lasix general information

What is Lasix used for?

Lasix tablets 40mg are used to treat oedema (water retention) caused by several conditions, including oedema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver and renal disease (including the nephrotic syndrome).  Oedema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial spaces between cells or in body cavities and is not drained away.  Lasix 40 tablets help remove excess fluid from the body tissues, such as around the feet and ankles, which can become very swollen, and also from the blood and for this reason they are often called water tablets.  Lasix tablets 40mg are also used to help lower blood pressure in the treatment of hypertension, either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.   

How does Lasix work?

Lasix tablets 40mg contain furosemide, a diuretic medication that is used to treat oedema in a variety of conditions.  Furosemide in Lasix 40 tablets acts directly on the kidneys at the site of the ascending limb of the Loop of Henlé and in the proximal and distal tubules, which is where salts (sodium and potassium) are reabsorbed back into the blood to prevent the blood from becoming deficient in salts.  Furosemide in Lasix tablets 40mg inhibits the reabsorption of salts back into the blood, so that more salts are excreted into the urine and more water is removed from the blood, which in turn draws more water out of the tissues.  This action of Furosemide in Lasix 40 tablets increases the volume of urine produced and reduces blood volume; it also reduces the resistance in peripheral blood vessels to lower blood pressure.  Reducing the amount of water stored in the tissues reduces oedema (water retention and swelling), caused by congestive heart failure and other conditions.

What does Lasix contain?

Lasix tablets 40mg contain the active ingredient furosemide, a diuretic used to treat oedema and hypertension. 

Treating congestive heart failure with Lasix

Lasix tablets 40mg contain furosemide, a diuretic that is used to treat oedema due to several conditions, including congestive heart failure, to reduce water retention by the tissues and associated swelling.  Congestive heart failure results in weakened heart muscles so that the heart cannot pump blood round the circulation efficiently and this leads to blood collecting in the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries, so that they become leaky.  Water passes out of the blood into the tissues and this causes oedema and swelling, which usually occurs at the feet and ankles but can happen throughout the body, including the lungs.  Furosemide in Lasix 40 tablets acts directly on the kidneys and causes water and salts to be removed from the blood into the urine, drawing excess water out of the tissues which increases urine volume and reduces oedema, relieving symptoms of congestive heart failure including swelling due to fluid retention in body tissues; also fluid in the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.

Lasix for hypertension

Lasix tablets 40mg contain furosemide, a diuretic medication (water tablets) used to treat mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure) either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.  Essential hypertension is high blood pressure when at rest with no obviously identifiable cause.  Furosemide in Lasix 40 tablets acts directly on the kidneys and causes water and salts to be removed from the blood into the urine, drawing excess water out of the swollen tissues.  This action of furosemide  in Lasix tablets 40mg increases urine volume, decreases blood volume and reduces the resistance in peripheral blood vessels, which and helps lower blood pressure.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack. 

What are the side effects of Lasix?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Lasix tablets 40mg include low blood volume (hypovolaemia) headache, hypotension (low blood pressure) dizziness, light-headedness, restlessness, dry mouth or unusual thirst, weakness, tinnitus, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, blurred vision

When should Lasix not be used?

You should not use Lasix if you:

• are allergic to furosemide or sulfonamides or any ingredients in Lasix
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have problems urinating due to prostate disease, without discussion with your doctor
• have low blood volume (hypovolaemia) or are severely dehydrated
• have low blood pressure (hypotension)
• have low sodium or potassium levels in your blood
• have gout, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), or diabetes
• have Addison's disease
• are taking medications that may interact with Lasix, including: some antibiotics like aminoglycosides and cephalosporins, anticonvulsants like phenytoin and chloral hydrate, cancer treatment like cisplatin, lithium for mood disorders, digoxin for heart failure, other antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, probenecid for gout, adrenaline and noradrenaline for emergency treatment, theophylline for asthma, large amounts of laxatives, some diabetic medications, 

What medications interact with Lasix?

Several medications interact with Lasix tablets 40mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Lasix or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Lasix: some antibiotics like aminoglycosides and cephalosporins, anticonvulsants chloral hydrate, cancer treatment like cisplatin, digoxin for heart failure, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, large amounts of laxatives
• Drugs that affect Lasix: anticonvulsants like phenytoin, probenecid for gout, sucralfate for stomach and intestinal ulcers, within 2 hours of taking Lasix
• Drugs that are affected by Lasix: anticonvulsants like phenytoin and chloral hydrate, lithium for mood disorders, other antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, adrenaline and noradrenaline for emergency treatment, theophylline for asthma, some diabetic medications

How should Lasix be taken?

You should take your Lasix tablets 40mg swallowed whole with a glass of water on an empty stomach at least one hour before or four hours after food, once or twice daily, depending on what you are being treated for.  The dose you take depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations and may be increased.  You should continue to take you Lasix 40 tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor until your condition improves.

How long should you take Lasix?

You should continue to take you Lasix 40 tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor until your condition improves.

Missed dose of Lasix

If you miss a dose of Lasix tablets 40mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Lasix be stored?

You should store your Lasix tablets 40mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.