Furosemide Injection

What is this medication?

FUROSEMIDE (fyoor OH se mide) reduces swelling related to heart, kidney, liver, or lung disease. It helps your kidneys remove more fluid and salt from your blood through the urine. It belongs to a group of medications called diuretics.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Gout
• Heart disease
• High or low levels of electrolytes, such as magnesium, potassium, or sodium in your blood
• Kidney disease, small amounts of urine, or difficulty passing urine
• Liver disease
• Premature newborn
• Thyroid disease
• An unusual or allergic reaction to furosemide, sulfa medications, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is injected into a vein or muscle. It is given in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as newborns for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply. This medication is not for regular use.

What may interact with this medication?

• Aspirin and aspirin-like medications
• Certain antibiotics
• Chloral hydrate
• Cisplatin
• Cyclosporine
• Digoxin
• Diuretics
• Laxatives
• Lithium
• Medications for blood pressure
• Medications that relax muscles for surgery
• Methotrexate
• NSAIDS, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or indomethacin
• Phenytoin
• Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
• Thyroid hormones

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

You will be monitored closely while you are receiving this medication.

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure as directed. Know what your blood pressure should be and when to contact your care team.

This medication may increase the amount of sugar in blood or urine. The risk may be higher in patients who already have diabetes. Ask your care team what you can do to lower your risk of diabetes while taking this medication.

You may need to be on a special diet while taking this medication. Check with your care team. Also, ask how many glasses of fluid you need to drink a day. You must not get dehydrated.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Check with your care team if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this medication.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dehydration—increased thirst, dry mouth, feeling faint or lightheaded, headache, dark yellow or brown urine
• Hearing loss, ringing in ears
• High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)—increased thirst or amount of urine, unusual weakness or fatigue, blurry vision
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Low potassium level—muscle pain or cramps, unusual weakness or fatigue, fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Burning or tingling sensation in hands or feet
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Headache

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.