What is furosemide used for?
Furosemide is a medication that is primarily used to treat fluid retention (oedema) and high blood pressure (hypertension).
It belongs to a class of drugs called diuretics, which work by increasing the amount of salt and water that is excreted from the body through the kidneys – essentially this means that you urinate more while taking the medication.
What foods to avoid when taking furosemide?
When taking a diuretic like furosemide, it’s important to not have too much salt in your diet because this can counteract the effects of your medication.
To prevent this from happening, you should not:
- Add extra salt when you’re cooking
- Use salt substitutes – which have a lot of potassium
- Eat high-sodium foods such as processed meats, ready-meals and canned soups
How much furosemide can you take in a day?
If you’ve been prescribed furosemide, then you’ll likely take the drug once a day in the morning. Though if you are required to take it more than once per day, it’s suggested that you don’t take your second dose after 4pm to reduce the chance of waking up in the night to pee.
Furosemide typically doesn’t affect your stomach, so it doesn’t matter whether you take it on an empty stomach or not.
The usual dose for adults depends on what illness the furosemide is being used to treat:
- High blood pressure – 40mg-80mg a day
- Heart failure & oedema – 20mg-120mg a day
However, you should always follow the instructions given to you by your doctor and on the medicine packaging.
Furosemide Side Effects
While furosemide is a highly effective medication for treating conditions such as high blood pressure, heart failure, and oedema, it can also cause certain side effects.
While side effects can range from mild to serious, it’s important to remember that not everyone will experience side effects from furosemide.
Common Side Effects - more than 1 in 100 people
- Needing to pee more often
- Feeling dehydrated
- Headaches
- Dizziness & lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
Serious Side Effects - call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk
If you experience any of the following side effects, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention by calling 111 or visiting 111.nhs.uk.
Remember, these side effects are rare, and most people tolerate this medication well without any serious issues.
However, it’s essential to be aware of the signs of a severe reaction and to seek medical care if you experience any of these symptoms:
- Unexplained bleeding or bruising, high fever, sore throat, and mouth ulcers, as these may indicate a blood disorder
- Severe stomach pain that may radiate to your back, as this may indicate pancreatitis
- Severe pain in your side or blood in your urine, as these may be signs of inflamed kidneys
- Ringing in your ears or sudden loss of hearing
Get Your Furosemide Online from Your Local Pharmacy
If you’ve been prescribed furosemide to treat an existing condition, you can now place your prescription order online using the Healthera app for collection or home delivery.
Setting up your prescription takes less than two minutes and supports your local community pharmacy!
To get started, simply click the “Find Medicine” button.
