Furosemide (Lasix Tablets) - Active Ingredient And Chemical structure
The active ingredient contained in Lasix Tablets for oral administration is Furosemide. Furosemide is a white to off-white odorless crystalline powder which is insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in alcohol, freely soluble in dilute alkali solutions. The structure is shown below
Generic Forms and Brand names of Furosemide
Lasix Tablets manufactured by Sanofi-Aventis, India is an effective treatment for edema as well as hypertension.
Lasix Tablets - Preparations
Lasix is available as tablets of 40 mg .
Lasix Tablets - Storage Requirements
Lasix Tablets are to be stored at room temperature (15°C to 30°C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light.
Furosemide (Lasix Tablets) - Uses
Furosemide in the form of Lasix Tablets is used in adults and pediatric patients to treat edema that is associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. Lasix is extremely useful when a medication with greater diuretic potential is desired.
Lasix may also be used for the treatment of hypertension in adults alone or in combination with other anti hypertensive agents.
Lasix Tablets - Dosage
Lasix dosage varies as per patient response to gain maximal therapeutic response and should be given the minimal dose required to maintain that response.
Edema:
Adult Patients:The usual initial dose of Lasix for Adults is 20 to 80 mg given as a single dose. In case required, the same dose can be administered 6 to 8 hours later or the dose may be increased.The dose may be increased by 20 or 40 mg and given not sooner than 6 to 8 hours after the previous dose until the desired diuretic effect has been obtained.Edema may be most efficiently and safely mobilized by giving Lasix on 2 to 4 consecutive days each week.
Pediatric patients:The usual initial dose of oral Lasix in pediatric patients is 2 mg/kg body weight, given as a single dose. If the diuretic response is not satisfactory after the Initial dose, dosage may be increased by 1 or 2 mg/kg no sooner than 6 to 8 hours after the previous dose.
Hypertension:
Therapy should be individualized according to the patient's response to gain maximum therapeutic response and to determine the minimal dose needed to maintain the therapeutic response. In case of adults the usual initial dose of Lasix for hypertension is 80 mg, usually divided into 40 mg twice a day. Dosage should then be adjusted according to response.
Lasix Tablets - Contraindications
Lasix is contraindicated in patients with anuria and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to furosemlde.
Side Effects Of Lasix Tablets
The most common side effects of are (categorized by Organ System)
Gastro Intestinal System Reactions:
- hepatic encephalopathy In patients with hepatocellular Insufficiency
- pancreatitis
- jaundice (Intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice)
- Increased liver enzymes
- anorexia
- oral and gastric Irritation
- cramping
- diarmea
- constipation
- nausea
- vomiting
- Severe anaphylactic or anaphylactold reactions (e,g. with shock)
- systemic vasculltis
- Interstitial nephritis
- necrotlzing anglltrs
Central Nervous System Reactions
- tinnitus and hearing loss
- parestheslas
- vertigo
- dizziness
- headache
- blurred vision
- xanthopsia
- aplastic anemia
- thromtaocytopenia
- agranulocytosis
- hemolytic anemia
- leukopenia
- anemia
- eosinophilia
- exfoliatlve dermatitis
- bullous pemphlgoid
- erythema multiforme
- purpura
- photosensitivity
- urticaria
- rash
- pruritus
- Stevens-Johnson Syndrome
- toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Orthostatic hypotension may occur and be aggravated by alcohol, barbiturates or narcotics.
- Increase in cholesterol and triglyceride serum levels
- hyperglycemia
- glycosuria
- hyperuricemia
- muscle spasm
- weakness
- restlessness
- urinary bladder spasm
- thrombophlebitis
- fever
Lasix Tablets - Overdosage
The main signs and symptoms of overdose with Lasix are dehydration, blood volume reduction, hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, hvpokalemia and hvoochloremic alkalosis.
