Furosemide 10mg/ml Inj, 10ml
Overview
What is this medicine?
How to Use This Medicine
If you need to store this medication at home, consult with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to determine the proper storage method.
If you miss a dose, contact your doctor immediately to receive guidance on the next steps to take.
Lifestyle & Tips
- Follow your doctor's instructions regarding fluid intake and dietary salt restriction.
- Report any signs of dehydration (e.g., excessive thirst, dry mouth, dizziness) or electrolyte imbalance (e.g., muscle cramps, weakness, irregular heartbeat).
- Avoid sudden changes in position to prevent dizziness or lightheadedness.
- If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely as furosemide can affect it.
- Avoid alcohol as it can increase the risk of dizziness and low blood pressure.
Available Forms & Alternatives
Available Strengths:
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Oral Soln 60ml
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Oral Soln 120ml
- Furosemide 8mg/ml Solution
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Inj, 10ml
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Inj 4ml
- Furosemide 40mg Tablets
- Furosemide 80mg Tablets
- Furosemide 20mg Tablets
- Furosemide 80mg Tablets
- Furosemide 20mg Tablets
- Furosemide 40mg Tablets
- Furosemide 40mg/4ml Inj 4ml
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Inj 2ml
- Furosemide 40mg/4ml Inj 4ml
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Inj, 10ml
- Furosemide 10mg/ml Inj, 4ml
Dosing & Administration
Adult Dosing
Condition-Specific Dosing:
Pediatric Dosing
Dose Adjustments
Renal Impairment:
Hepatic Impairment:
Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption:
Distribution:
Elimination:
Pharmacodynamics
Safety & Warnings
BLACK BOX WARNING
Side Effects
Although rare, some people may experience severe and potentially life-threatening side effects while taking this medication. If you notice any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor or seek immediate medical attention:
Signs of an allergic reaction: rash, hives, itching, red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever), wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat, difficulty breathing, swallowing, or talking, unusual hoarseness, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems: mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, irregular or rapid heartbeat, severe dizziness or fainting, increased thirst, seizures, extreme fatigue or weakness, decreased appetite, inability to urinate or changes in urine output, dry mouth, dry eyes, or severe nausea and vomiting.
Signs of liver problems: dark urine, fatigue, decreased appetite, nausea or stomach pain, pale-colored stools, vomiting, or yellowing of the skin and eyes.
Signs of kidney problems: inability to urinate, changes in urine output, blood in the urine, or sudden weight gain.
Signs of pancreatitis (pancreas problems): severe stomach pain, severe back pain, or severe nausea and vomiting.
Severe dizziness or fainting.
Abnormal sensations such as burning, numbness, or tingling.
Blurred vision.
Restlessness.
Severe Skin Reactions
This medication can cause severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), and other serious reactions. These reactions can be life-threatening and may also affect internal organs. Seek immediate medical help if you experience:
Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin
Red or irritated eyes
Sores in the mouth, throat, nose, eyes, genitals, or skin
Fever
Chills
Body aches
Shortness of breath
Swollen glands
Other Possible Side Effects
Like all medications, this drug can cause side effects. Many people may not experience any side effects or may only have mild ones. If you notice any of the following side effects or any other unusual symptoms, contact your doctor or seek medical help:
Dizziness or headache
Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite
Stomach cramps
Reporting Side Effects
This is not an exhaustive list of possible side effects. If you have questions or concerns about side effects, contact your doctor. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088 or online at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention If You Experience:
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Signs of dehydration (very dry mouth, extreme thirst, decreased urination)
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Irregular or fast heartbeat
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
- Numbness or tingling
- Hearing problems (ringing in ears, hearing loss)
- Yellowing of skin or eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Severe stomach pain
Before Using This Medicine
It is essential to inform your doctor about the following conditions to ensure safe treatment:
Any allergies you have, including allergies to this medication, its components, or other substances, such as foods or drugs. Describe the allergic reactions you experienced.
If you have difficulty urinating.
If you are dehydrated or have electrolyte imbalances.
If you have a history of liver problems or low blood pressure.
Additionally, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
Chloral hydrate
Ethacrynic acid
* Lithium
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of all potential interactions. It is crucial to discuss all your medications, including prescription and over-the-counter drugs, natural products, and vitamins, with your doctor and pharmacist. This will help determine if it is safe to take this medication with your existing treatments and health conditions.
Remember, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medication without first consulting your doctor.
Precautions & Cautions
To ensure your safety, avoid driving and other activities that require alertness until you understand how this medication affects you. When getting up from a sitting or lying down position, rise slowly to minimize the risk of dizziness or fainting. Be cautious when climbing stairs.
If you have diabetes (high blood sugar), closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Be aware of signs of high blood sugar, such as confusion, drowsiness, increased thirst or hunger, frequent urination, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity-smelling breath. Report these symptoms to your doctor.
If you follow a low-salt or salt-free diet, consult your doctor. Additionally, if you have high blood pressure and are taking this medication, discuss with your doctor before using over-the-counter (OTC) products that may increase blood pressure, such as cough or cold medications, diet pills, stimulants, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen, and certain natural products or aids.
Regularly check your blood pressure as instructed by your doctor. Also, have your blood work checked as directed by your doctor and discuss the results with them.
Be aware that this medication may cause increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If you already have high cholesterol or triglycerides, consult your doctor. You may require additional potassium supplements; discuss this with your doctor.
Before consuming alcohol, marijuana, or other forms of cannabis, or taking prescription or OTC medications that may cause drowsiness, consult your doctor.
This medication may increase your risk of sunburn. Take precautions when exposed to the sun, and inform your doctor if you experience increased sensitivity to the sun.
Monitor yourself for gout attacks. If you have lupus, this medication may reactivate or worsen the condition. Immediately report any new or worsening symptoms to your doctor.
Be aware that this medication may cause hearing problems, such as decreased hearing or hearing loss, which may be temporary or permanent. If you experience ringing in the ears, changes in your hearing, or a feeling of fullness in your ears, contact your doctor promptly.
Low blood cell counts may occur with this medication, which can lead to bleeding problems, infections, or anemia. If you experience signs of infection, such as fever, chills, or sore throat, unexplained bruising or bleeding, or feel extremely tired or weak, contact your doctor immediately.
If you are 65 years or older, use this medication with caution, as you may be more susceptible to side effects.
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding, discuss the benefits and risks of this medication with your doctor.
Overdose Information
Overdose Symptoms:
- Profound diuresis (excessive urination)
- Severe dehydration
- Electrolyte depletion (especially hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremia)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Thrombosis and embolism (due to hemoconcentration)
- Acute renal failure
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Coma
What to Do:
Call 1-800-222-1222 (Poison Control). Treatment is supportive, focusing on fluid and electrolyte replacement. Induce emesis or gastric lavage if recent oral ingestion. Monitor vital signs, fluid balance, and electrolytes closely.
Drug Interactions
Major Interactions
- Aminoglycosides (increased ototoxicity)
- Ethacrynic acid (increased ototoxicity)
- Lithium (increased lithium toxicity due to decreased renal clearance)
- Chloral hydrate (flushing, sweating, blood pressure changes)
- Cisplatin (increased ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity)
Moderate Interactions
- NSAIDs (may reduce diuretic and antihypertensive effects, risk of renal impairment)
- ACE inhibitors/ARBs (risk of profound hypotension and acute renal failure, especially with initial doses)
- Digoxin (increased risk of digoxin toxicity due to hypokalemia)
- Corticosteroids (increased risk of hypokalemia)
- Neuromuscular blockers (potentiated effect due to hypokalemia)
- Phenytoin (reduced diuretic effect of furosemide)
- Sucralfate (reduced absorption of furosemide if given concurrently)
- Antidiabetic agents (may decrease hypoglycemic effect)
Minor Interactions
- Other antihypertensives (additive hypotensive effect)
- Probenecid (may reduce renal clearance of furosemide)
Monitoring
Baseline Monitoring
Rationale: To establish baseline levels and identify pre-existing imbalances.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Rationale: To assess baseline kidney function and guide dosing.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Rationale: To establish baseline and monitor for hypotension.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Rationale: To assess baseline hydration and severity of fluid overload.
Timing: Prior to initiation of therapy
Routine Monitoring
Frequency: Daily initially, then 2-3 times weekly, then weekly/bi-weekly depending on stability and dose.
Target: Within normal limits (e.g., K 3.5-5.0 mEq/L)
Action Threshold: Potassium < 3.0 mEq/L (consider supplementation), Sodium < 130 mEq/L (consider fluid restriction/dose adjustment), Magnesium < 1.5 mEq/L (consider supplementation)
Frequency: Daily initially, then 2-3 times weekly, then weekly/bi-weekly depending on stability.
Target: Stable or improving
Action Threshold: Significant increase in BUN/Cr (e.g., >25% from baseline or absolute increase >0.5 mg/dL) indicating acute kidney injury.
Frequency: Several times daily initially, then daily.
Target: Individualized, avoid symptomatic hypotension.
Action Threshold: Systolic BP < 90 mmHg or symptomatic hypotension.
Frequency: Daily
Target: Negative fluid balance or weight loss as desired.
Action Threshold: Excessive weight loss (>2 kg/day) or signs of dehydration.
Symptom Monitoring
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Muscle cramps or weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Excessive thirst
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Irregular heartbeat
- Hearing changes (tinnitus, hearing loss)
Special Patient Groups
Pregnancy
Category C. Use only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Furosemide has been shown to cause maternal and fetal abnormalities in animals at high doses. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
Trimester-Specific Risks:
Lactation
Furosemide is excreted in breast milk and may suppress lactation. A decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Dosing must be carefully individualized based on weight and clinical response. Neonates and infants may have prolonged half-life due to immature renal function. Risk of ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity, especially with concomitant aminoglycosides.
Geriatric Use
Elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of furosemide, particularly hypotension and electrolyte disturbances. Start with lower doses and titrate slowly. More likely to have age-related decreases in renal function, requiring careful monitoring.
Clinical Information
Clinical Pearls
- Administer IV furosemide slowly (over 1-2 minutes for doses up to 40 mg, or 10-20 mg/min for higher doses) to minimize the risk of ototoxicity.
- Rapid IV administration can cause transient hearing loss, especially in patients with renal impairment or those receiving other ototoxic drugs.
- Monitor potassium levels closely; hypokalemia is a common and potentially serious side effect. Potassium supplementation or potassium-sparing diuretics may be needed.
- Furosemide can cause photosensitivity; advise patients to use sun protection.
- In patients with severe heart failure, continuous IV infusion may be more effective and cause fewer electrolyte shifts than intermittent bolus dosing.
- For patients with ascites due to liver cirrhosis, furosemide should be used cautiously and often in combination with a potassium-sparing diuretic (e.g., spironolactone) to prevent hypokalemia and hepatic encephalopathy.
Alternative Therapies
- Bumetanide (another loop diuretic)
- Torsemide (another loop diuretic)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (thiazide diuretic, less potent)
- Metolazone (thiazide-like diuretic, often used in combination with loop diuretics for refractory edema)
- Spironolactone (potassium-sparing diuretic, often used in heart failure or liver disease)