Lasix Generic

Generic Lasix treats fluid retention also known as edema in patients suffering from congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder such as nephrotic syndrome. Generic Lasix is also widely used to treat patients suffering from hypertension i.e. high blood pressure.Lasix Drug is a water pill which prevents your body from absorbing too much salt. In result this salt is allowed to instead pass through urine. Generic Lasix can also be used for other medical causes than those listes above.

Edema means increase of interstitial fluid in any organ(swelling) — swelling in the small spaces that surround the body tissues and organs. Edema can occur nearly anywhere in the body. The location of the edema will depend, in part, on the underlying cause. Some of the most common sites are:

• Lungs (also called pulmonary edema)
• Abdomen (also called ascites)
• Extremities such as the lower legs (also called peripheral edema)

Pulmonary (relating to the lungs) edema can be life-threatening. In comparison, ascites and peripheral edema can produce some discomfort and cosmetic concerns, but are generally not serious although the underlying cause of edema may be.

Symptoms of edema depend upon the cause, but may include:

Swelling or puffiness of the skin, causing it to appear stretched and shiny. This is typically seen in the lower legs (called peripheral edema) or lower back (called sacral edema, frequently seen in those who have been in bed for long periods). Swelling is often worst after sitting or standing for a period of time (due to gravity), and may be worst at the end of the day.
Pushing on the swollen area for a few seconds will leave a dimple in the skin.
Increased size of the abdomen (with ascites)
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (with pulmonary edema)

Lasix injection contains the active ingredient furosemide (previously known as frusemide in the UK), which is a type of medicine called a loop diuretic. (NB. Furosemide is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)Diuretics are sometimes referred to as ‘water tablets’. They remove excess fluid from the body by increasing the production of urine.

A diuretic is any drug that elevates the rate of urination (diuresis). There are several categories of diuretics. All diuretics increase the excretion of water from the body, although each class of diuretic does so in a distinct way.

Diuretics (often called water pills) are drugs that cause the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. Excess fluid in the body can lead to high blood pressure. This helps to relieve the heart's workload and also decreases the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs. Different diuretics remove fluid at varied rates and through different methods. They are used to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure and some congenital heart defects.

Loop diuretics work by causing the kidneys to increase the amount of salts such as potassium and sodium that are filtered out of the blood and into the urine. When these salts are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, water is also drawn alongside. As diuretics increase the removal of salts from the blood, they also cause more water to be drawn out of the blood and into the urine.

Lasix (Furosemide) is used to treat conditions where Edema ( excess fluid has been retained in the body ). For example, in heart failure, the pumping mechanism of the heart is less effective. This can cause fluid to build up in the ankles and the lungs (Pulmonary Edema), which makes it difficult to breathe. Lasix (Furosemide) helps the body to remove this excess fluid.

Removing fluid from the blood vessels also decreases the pressure within the blood vessels. This makes it easier for a weak heart to pump blood around the body. Lasix (Furosemide) is therefore used to relieve the symptoms of heart failure.

Lasix injection contains the active ingredient furosemide (previously known as frusemide in the UK), which is a type of medicine called a loop diuretic. (NB. Furosemide is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Diuretics are sometimes referred to as water tablets. They remove excess fluid from the body by increasing the production of urine.

Loop diuretics work by causing the kidneys to increase the amount of salts such as potassium and sodium that are filtered out of the blood and into the urine. When these salts are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, water is also drawn alongside. As diuretics increase the removal of salts from the blood, they also cause more water to be drawn out of the blood and into the urine.

Furosemide is used to treat conditions where excess fluid has been retained in the body (oedema). For example, in heart failure, the pumping mechanism of the heart is less effective. This can cause fluid to build up in the ankles and the lungs pulmonary edema, which makes it difficult to breathe. Furosemide helps the body to remove this excess fluid. Removing fluid from the blood vessels also decreases the pressure within the blood vessels. This makes it easier for a weak heart to pump blood around the body. Furosemide is therefore used to relieve the symptoms of heart failure.

Furosemide is also used to remove excess fluid that can accumulate in people with cirrhosis of the liver. This fluid may accumulate in the abdomen (ascites) or in the legs (peripheral oedema).

At higher doses the amount of water drawn from the blood into the urine is much greater, therefore furosemide is also used when there is reduced production of urine in people with kidney failure. Furosemide is given by injection in emergencies, when a rapid effect is required, and in cases when the medicine cannot be taken by mouth.

Patients with ascites and leg edema due to cirrhosis should be treated with spironolactone (starting with 50 mg daily) combined with furosemide (starting with 40 mg daily).63,64 In patients with chronic venous insufficiency, diuretics should be used only after leg elevation and compression stockings have failed. At that point, they should be used sparingly and for brief periods. In patients with idiopathic edema who are taking diuretics, a 3 to 4 week trial off diuretics is indicated. In patients with idiopathic edema who are not already taking diuretics or those who fail to improve off diuretics, spironolactone and thiazides can be used. Long-term furosemide use in patients with idiopathic edema has been associated with impaired renal function. Diuretics should be used rarely if at all in patients with lipidema, lymphedema, and deep vein thrombosis.

(Note)*** This prescription should be discussed with your Doctor

Take Lasix exactly as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. To reduce nighttime urination, take Lasix early in the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Furosemide will make you urinate more often and you may get dehydrated easily. Follow your doctor's instructions about using potassium supplements or getting enough salt and potassium in your diet.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.

While having treatment with this medicine you will need to have regular blood tests to monitor your kidney function and the levels of salts such as potassium and sodium in your blood.

If you experience any of the following symptoms while having treatment with this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should be used with caution during pregnancy, and only if the expected benefit to the mother is greater than any possible risk to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.This medicine passes into breast milk and may also reduce the production of breast milk. Women who need treatment with this medicine should not breastfeed. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For loop diuretics, the following should be considered:

Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, sulfonamides (sulfa drugs), or thiazide diuretics (water pills). Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, preservatives, or dyes.

In general, diuretics are not useful for normal swelling of feet and hands that occurs during pregnancy. Diuretics should not be taken during pregnancy unless recommended by your doctor.

Children—Although there is no specific information comparing the use of loop diuretics in children with use in any other age group, these medicines are not expected to cause different side effects in children than they do in adults.

Older adults(Geriatric patients)—Dizziness, lightheadedness, or signs of too much potassium loss may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are more sensitive to the effects of this medicine. Elderly patients may also be more likely to develop blood clots.

Other medicines—Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking loop diuretics, it is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any other medicines.

Other medical problems—The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of loop diuretics. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes)—Loop diuretics may increase the amount of sugar in the blood
Gout or
Hearing problems or
Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)—Loop diuretics may make these conditions worse
Heart attack, recent—Use of loop diuretics after a recent heart attack may increase the chance of side effects
Kidney disease (severe) or
Liver disease—Higher blood levels of the loop diuretic may occur, which may increase the chance of side effects
Lupus erythematosus (history of)—Ethacrynic acid and furosemide may make this condition worse.