Virtual Medical Centre

Drugs

Lasix

Generic Name: Frusemide
Product Name: Lasix

• Indication of Lasix
• Action of Lasix
• Dose Advice of Lasix
• Schedule of Lasix
• Common side effects of Lasix
• Uncommon side effects of Lasix

Indication of Lasix:

Used for the treatment of oedema and hypertension. Lasix may be used alone, or in conjunction with other agents.

^ top

Action of Lasix:

Lasix (fruesemide) is a powerful diuretic. It interferes with salt (sodium, chloride) and water absorption in the kidney, and increases the amount of water lost from the body in the urine.

The onset of action is less than one hour after oral dosing, and less than five minutes after intravenous administration. Frusemide has a half life of 100 minutes.

^ top

Dose Advice of Lasix:

-Therapy should always be individualised according to the patient’s clinical state and response to treatment, and titrated to provide the required therapeutic effect at the lowest dose. This individually determined dose should be given once or twice (e.g. at 8 am and 2 pm) daily
-Parenteral therapy should be reserved for those patients unable to take oral medication, those who have impaired gastrointestinal absorption, or for those patients in emergency clinical situations where intense, rapid diuresis is desired (e.g. acute pulmonary oedema and cerebral oedema). Generally, effect is prompt, and close medical supervision is mandatory. As a controlled intravenous infusion, the rate should not exceed 4 mg/minute. Oral therapy should be commenced as soon as is practical in these instances.
-Giving Lasix on two to four consecutive days each week may provide the safest and most efficient means for mobilisation of oedema. Lasix injection should be visually inspected for particulate matter and discolouration before administration. Discoloured solution should be discarded.
-When treating hypertension, if Lasix alone is unsatisfactory a second antihypertensive agent should be added.
-When using Lasix in conjunction with other antihypertensive agents, changes in blood pressure must be carefully monitored. To prevent an excessive drop in blood pressure, the dosage of other agents should be reduced by at least half, and may need to be further reduced or even discontinued as the blood pressure falls under the potentiating effect of Lasix.

^ top