Furosemide Side Effects
Summary
While Furosemide (Lasix) is very well accepted by most patients, there are some common side effects which include electrolyte depletion, low blood pressure level and abdominal pain. Other Furosemide side effects can impact the metabolism, stomach and heart. Engage with your health practitioner with regards to any unwanted effects you might experience.
Common Furosemide Side Effects
Common Furosemide side effects include:
- low blood pressure,
- drying up
- Electrolyte depletion (for example, sodium, potassium).
Less common Furosemide side effects may include tinnitus, sensitiveness to light, blizzard, pancreatitis, diarrhea, nausea, dizziness and abdominal pain. Increased uric acid and blood sugar levels may also occur.
Serious Furosemide Side Effects
If you notice the following serious side effects, while on an long-term or ongoing course of treatment you should immediately consult with your health care specialist in order to prevent additional and uncalled for complications.
- Swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat
- Dizziness
- Fainting spells
- Hives
- A dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Stomach pain
- Drowsiness
- Numbness
- A tingling sensation
- Diarrhea
- Palpitations
- A peeling, blistering, red skin rash
- Low fever
- Restlessness
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Feeling light headed
- Easy bruising or bleeding
Furosemide Side Effects on Different Areas of the Body
Stomach
Hepatic encephalopathy is an impairment of the brain function that imitates when the liver cannot the toxic substances in the blood. It is one of the gastrointestinal side effects included in patients with pancreatitis, hepatocellular insufficiency, jaundice, oral and gastric irritation, anorexia, diarrhea, cramping, nausea and vomiting, and constipation.
Heart
Some furosemide users may be predisposed to volume depletion, deep venous thrombosis or the formation of a blood clot.
Furosemide has been seen to reduce left ventricular and diastolic pressure and peripheral vascular resistance before observing a significant increase in urine output or decrease in arterial blood pressure. This study was conducted for patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) due to myocardial infarction (MI). On the other hand, in patients with progressed, long-term CHF, the Intravenous administration of furosemide may lead to an acute vasoconstriction while associating an acute increase in hormonal vasoconstriction, which includes renin, norepinephrine and arginine vasopressin (AVP).
Other cardiovascular side effects of furosemide have frequently included hypotension and intravascular volume depletion.
Metabolism
Some patients may experience hyperuricemia, this is usually a benign side effect but may be important to those with gout history. It have been reported that patients with latent hypoparathyroidism may possess rare instances of hypocalcemia, it may be beneficial in this case a replacement of both calcium and magnesium.
Patient with liver disease may be at risk due to metabolic abnormalities. Frequent monitoring of the patient's electrolytes is highly recommended.
During treatment with loop diuretics like furosemide, calcium balance appears to remain neutral. Despite the fact that loop diuretics cause an increase excretion of renal calcium, this seems to be compensated for by a parathyroid-dependent increase in levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which intestinal calcium absorption is increased. Loop diuretics do not appear to affect bone metabolism.
