Lasix
enUKLa·six
L5060500 (lā′sĭks)| Noun | 1. | Lasix - commonly used diuretic (trade name Lasix) used to treat hypertension and edema |
Lasix
enUKLasix
[la´ziks]furosemide
Pharmacologic class: Sulfonamide loop diuretic
Therapeutic class: Diuretic, antihypertensive
Pregnancy risk category C
Action
Unclear. Thought to inhibit sodium and chloride reabsorption from ascending loop of Henle and distal renal tubules. Increases potassium excretion and plasma volume, promoting renal excretion of water, sodium, chloride, magnesium, hydrogen, and calcium.
Availability
Injection: 10 mg/ml
Oral solution: 10 mg/ml, 40 mg/5 ml
Tablets: 20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg
Indications and dosages
➣ Acute pulmonary edema
Adults: 40 mg I.V. given over 1 to 2 minutes. If adequate response doesn't occur within 1 hour, give 80 mg I.V. over 1 to 2 minutes.
➣ Edema caused by heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, or renal disease
Adults: Initially, 20 to 80 mg/day P.O. as a single dose; may increase in 20- to 40-mg increments P.O. q 6 to 8 hours until desired response occurs. Thereafter, may give once or twice daily. For maintenance, dosage may be reduced in some patients or carefully titrated upward to 600 mg P.O. daily in severe edema. Usual I.M. or I.V. dosage is 20 to 40 mg as a single injection; if response inadequate, second and each succeeding dose may be increased in 20-mg increments and given no more often than q 2 hours until desired response occurs. Single dose may then be given once or twice daily.
Infants and children: 2 mg/kg P.O. (oral solution) as a single dose. As necessary, increase in increments of 1 or 2 mg/kg q 6 to 8 hours to a maximum of 6 mg/kg/dose. For maintenance, give minimum effective dosage.
➣ Hypertension
Adults: 40 mg P.O. b.i.d. If satisfactory response doesn't occur, other antihypertensives may be added before furosemide dosage is increased. However, dosage may be titrated upward as needed and tolerated to a maximum of 240 mg P.O. daily in two or three divided doses.
Off-label uses
• Hypercalcemia associated with cancer
Contraindications
• Hypersensitivity to drug or other sulfonamides
• Anuria
Precautions
Use cautiously in:
• diabetes mellitus, severe hepatic disease
• elderly patients
• pregnant or breastfeeding patients
• neonates.
Administration
• Know that I.V. or I.M. injection is given when patient requires rapid onset of diuresis or can't receive oral doses.
• Be aware that I.V. dose may be given by direct injection over 1 to 2 minutes.
• For I.V. infusion, dilute in dextrose 5% in water, normal saline solution, or lactated Ringer's solution.
See Don't infuse more than 4 mg/minute.
• Give oral doses in morning with food. If second dose is prescribed, give in afternoon.
Adverse reactions
CNS: dizziness, headache, vertigo, weakness, lethargy, paresthesia, drowsiness, restlessness, light-headedness
CV: hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, volume depletion, necrotizing angiitis, thrombophlebitis, arrhythmias
EENT: blurred vision, xanthopsia, hearing loss, tinnitus
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dyspepsia, oral and gastric irritation, cramping, anorexia, dry mouth, acute pancreatitis
GU: excessive and frequent urination, nocturia, glycosuria, bladder spasm, oliguria, interstitial nephritis
Hematologic: anemia, purpura, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia
Hepatic: jaundice
Metabolic: hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, dehydration, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, alkalosis
Musculoskeletal: muscle pain, muscle cramps
Skin: photosensitivity, rash, diaphoresis, urticaria, pruritus, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme
Other: fever, transient pain at I.M. injection site
Interactions
Drug-drug. Aminoglycosides, ethacrynic acid, other ototoxic drugs: increased risk of ototoxicity
Amphotericin B, corticosteroids, corticotropin, potassium-wasting diuretics, stimulant laxatives: additive hypokalemia
Antihypertensives, diuretics, nitrates: additive hypotension
Cardiac glycosides: increased risk of glycoside toxicity and fatal arrhythmias
Clofibrate: exaggerated diuretic response, muscle pain and stiffness
Hydantoins, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, probenecid: diuresis inhibition
Insulin, oral hypoglycemics: decreased hypoglycemic effect
Lithium: decreased lithium excretion, possible toxicity
Norepinephrine: decreased arterial response to norepinephrine
Propranolol: increased propranolol blood level
Salicylates: increased risk of salicylate toxicity at lower dosages than usual
Succinylcholine: potentiation of succinylcholine effect
Sucralfate: decreased naturietic and antihypertensive effects of furosemide
Sulfonylureas: decreased glucose tolerance, resulting in hyperglycemia
Theophyllines: altered, enhanced, or inhibited theophylline effects
Tubocurarine: antagonism of tubocurarine effects
Drug-diagnostic tests. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN): transient increase
Calcium, magnesium, platelets, potassium, sodium: decreased levels
Cholesterol, creatinine, glucose, nitrogenous compounds: increased levels
Drug-herbs. Dandelion: interference with drug's diuretic effect
Ephedra (ma huang), ginseng: decreased furosemide efficacy
Licorice: rapid potassium loss
Drug-behaviors. Acute alcohol ingestion: additive hypotension
Sun exposure: increased risk of photosensitivity
Patient monitoring
• Watch for signs and symptoms of ototoxicity.
See Assess for other evidence of drug toxicity (arrhythmias, renal dysfunction, abdominal pain, sore throat, fever).
• Monitor CBC, BUN, and electrolyte, uric acid, and CO2 levels.
• Monitor blood pressure, pulse, fluid intake and output, and weight.
• Assess blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes mellitus.
• Monitor dietary potassium intake. Watch for signs and symptoms of hypokalemia.
Patient teaching
• Instruct patient to take in morning with food (and second dose, if prescribed, in afternoon), to prevent nocturia.
• Tell patient that drug may cause serious interactions with many common drugs. Instruct him to tell all prescribers he's taking it.
• Instruct patient to report signs and symptoms of ototoxicity (hearing loss, ringing in ears, vertigo) and other drug toxicities.
• Caution patient to avoid driving and other hazardous activities until he knows how drug affects concentration and alertness.
• Instruct patient to move slowly when rising, to avoid dizziness from sudden blood pressure decrease.
• Encourage patient to discuss need for potassium and magnesium supplements with prescriber.
• Caution patient to avoid alcohol and herbs while taking this drug.
• Inform patient that he'll undergo regular blood testing during therapy.
• As appropriate, review all other significant and life-threatening adverse reactions and interactions, especially those related to the drugs, tests, herbs, and behaviors mentioned above.
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Lasix
(lā′sĭks)Lasix
A brand name for FRUSEMIDE (furosemide).Lasix
enUK- noun
Synonyms for Lasix
noun commonly used diuretic (trade name Lasix) used to treat hypertension and edema
Synonyms
- furosemide
Related Words
- diuretic
- diuretic drug
- water pill
- brand
- brand name
- marque
- trade name