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Furosemide is a diuretic that is one of the most prescribed drugs in the world. At last count over 7 million Americans swallow this water pill every day to lower their blood pressure or help their kidneys shed excess fluid. It is just behind another diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), on the doctor’s hit parade of commonly prescribed medications. It is perceived as extremely safe, but furosemide (Lasix) side effects can be potentially serious if missed or ignored.
Furosemide is a “loop” diuretic, meaning that it affects a special part of the kidney called the loop of Henle to facilitate salt elimination from the body. This medication not only kicks sodium out of the body (considered a beneficial action), it also promotes removal of other key minerals such as magnesium, potassium and calcium (all undesired consequences). Many health professionals are aware of the potassium problem, but they may ignore the depletion of magnesium. Low levels of magnesium and potassium can have devastating consequences.
Furosemide (Lasix) Questions Received at People’s Pharmacy:
One woman worries about her husband’s incontinence with furosemide:
Q. “My husband’s doctor is concerned about his blood pressure. It has been fine until three days ago when at the doctor’s office it was 140/80. (When we got home it was 125/75). The doctor doubled his dose of furosemide.
I frankly am afraid he is going to end up in the hospital! I would like to learn more about this drug. My husband fortunately works close to home; he sometimes urinates on himself because he can’t always make it to the bathroom in time. He does operate heavy equipment at times and the dizziness thing is scary too. Please tell us more about furosemide (Lasix) side effects.”
A. Sadly, there is very little research on the effect of furosemide on bladder control. That said, there is a recognition that this diuretic may induce OAB (overactive bladder). In practical terms that means furosemide could lead to frequent urination, hard-to-control urinary urges and even an occasional bout of urinary incontinence (BMC Geriatrics, June 10, 2013). The increase in the dose of furosemide might also be contributing to his occasional accidents (Heart-Lung, Jan-Feb, 2013).
Dizziness is not uncommon with furosemide. We worry a lot about this side effect because it could cause a fall. You mention that your husband operates heavy machinery. Dizziness or vertigo could make this activity dangerous. Please discuss your concerns with the prescribing physician. There are many other options for treating high blood pressure. Some experts believe that furosemide should not be a first-line treatment for hypertension. A big dose of furosemide may not be the best option for your husband unless there are other health concerns you have not mentioned.
Can furosemide affect the kidneys?
Q. “As part of the medications I take for high blood pressure, I take Lasix two times per day, 40 mg each.
“I am concerned as I just read that Lasix can potentially cause kidney damage or gout when taken over a period of time. I am very concerned that I have never been told about these serious side effects from my doctor. Are they true?”
A. We are disappointed that health professionals do not always mention furosemide (Lasix) side effects. Kidney damage is one possible adverse reaction (European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, June 19, 2017). It is listed in the official prescribing information but has not been well recognized by clinicians. Many people just assume that it is bad luck, but furosemide, especially in higher doses, may be a contributor. Gout (brought on by elevated levels of uric acid) may also be triggered by furosemide (Arthritis & Rheumatology, Dec. 29, 2011).
How much potassium is necessary with furosemide?
Q. “I take prescribed 20 mg Lasix twice a day. One doctor says to take potassium with it, but another doctor says no. I don’t know what to do.”
A. Furosemide can deplete the body of both potassium and magnesium. Because it is impossible to predict how any given individual will react, the only way to know whether you need potassium and/or magnesium supplements would be to have your physician order a blood test for both minerals. We would encourage you to have this done periodically since levels can change over time. If you are indeed low in potassium your physician will be able to determine the most appropriate dose.
Can furosemide cause hearing loss?
“My wife (54 years old) started furosemide 20 mg twice a day for fluid retention. It has helped with that, but has caused hearing loss in both ears. She has been told to stop for two weeks and see her doctor for blood work afterwards.”
A. The official FDA-sanctioned prescribing information lists tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and hearing loss as possible side effects of furosemide.
Will furosemide raise blood sugar?
Q. “I have a very good friend who suffers from serious heart problems. He had a pacemaker implanted many years ago. That was replaced with a defibrillator pacemaker. He has been taking many medications for his heart problems, including furosemide (Lasix). He was diagnosed with diabetes about three years ago.
A few months ago, he was taken to the ER when he became very short of breath. They ran many tests and one doctor switched him from Lasix to torsemide (Demadex). Ever since this change, his blood sugar has been completely normal. Is diabetes one of furosemide side effects?”
A. There is evidence that furosemide can affect the body’s ability to handle carbohydrates leading to elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Over time this might increase the risk for diabetes.
Furosemide (Lasix) Side Effects:
As you can see from the questions above, this diuretic is associated with a number of unexpected complications. In seeking answers to these questions we were surprised at the lack of really high-quality research into the adverse effects of furosemide. For example, there is very little information about the negative impact of furosemide on kidney function. What we found was new and worrisome (European Heart Journal. Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, June 19, 2017).
Because it is a water pill (eliminates fluid from the body), it can cause numerous trips to the bathroom. As one reader reported above, it led to incontinence for her husband at work. Others complain that they have to get up numerous times a night to pee.
More serious is dizziness. The same wife who worried that her husband had “accidents” at work also mentioned that he handled heavy equipment and experienced dizziness. We worry that dizziness can make anyone susceptible to falls.
We also worry about depletion of potassium and magnesium. These electrolytes are essential for muscle function. When they are depleted from the body, muscle cramps are not an uncommon complication. Irregular heart rhythms can also occur and this can be a life-threatening situation if not corrected.
Anyone on furosemide must have regular blood tests to make sure electrolytes don’t get out of whack. In some cases potassium and magnesium supplements are necessary, but they require medical supervision and close monitoring to make sure the levels are like Goldilocks and the porridge (not too hot or too cold…too much or too little).
Other concerns mentioned above include hearing loss, gout and diabetes. These furosemide (Lasix) side effects should not be discounted. Diuretics not infrequently raise blood sugar or trigger diabetes. By now most people realize that this can have devastating results including an increased risk for heart disease, dementia, strokes and blindness. Gout can be incredibly painful. It can be brought on by excess uric acid levels in the body, a direct result of diuretics like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide.
Other Furosemide (Lasix) Side Effects to be Alert For:
- Weakness, muscle cramps (linked to electrolyte depletion)
- Dehydration, weakness
- Irregular heart rhythms (contact an MD immediately!)
- Dizziness, low blood pressure, especially when standing suddenly, vertigo
- Ringing in ears, hearing loss (contact an MD immediately)
- Blood problems (contact a physician if bruising or anemia occurs)
- Blurred vision
- Skin rash, itching (potentially life threatening, contact an MD immediately!)
- Elevated uric acid levels, gout
- Elevated blood sugar, diabetes
- Increases in cholesterol levels and triglycerides
- Kidney damage
No one should ever stop furosemide suddenly without medical supervision. This drug is essential for certain heart patients, especially those with congestive heart failure. Keeping excess fluid under control is critical for such patients. But furosemide is a tricky drug and requires very close monitoring by an attentive health care provider.
Furosemide can also interact dangerously with dozens of other medications, so the pharmacist must check any other medicine that is taken to make sure there are no incompatibilities. Always ask your doctor and pharmacist to check for drug interactions with furosemide. Here is why it is so important:
“My husband took furosemide for many years. We now know from the cardiologist who is caring for my husband that he was taking too many drugs that were not beneficial for him including furosemide. He was like a zombie–just wanted to sit and do nothing.
“After this cardiologist took my husband off this drug, plus others, plus prescribing something else instead and reducing the amounts of other drugs, my husband miraculously became alive again. He is now 86 years old and has survived two life-threatening surgeries. He is now very active and building things like he used to that he loved to do. He does many tasks and does not want to sleep all day, eats well and does so many other things.
“I am hoping people who take this drug and many others that you have written about will take heed and ask their doctors to check their drugs out very carefully. When my husband had surgery, he wasn’t recovering well. I found out that he was taking drugs that he shouldn’t have been. His cardiologist immediately started checking out what I had found and was amazed that all those other Drs. were not checking his meds, dosage, etc.
“Once again Dr. Graedon and Mr. Graedon, thanks for such a wonderful column and all the information you write about alerting and showing us so many natural remedies to use instead of harmful drugs.” Sincerely, Mrs W.
Lasix vs. Generic Drug Substitution:
We have received a number of complaints that not all generic furosemide is created equal. We are especially worried about this problem for people with heart failure. If their medicine is not working as anticipated, it can lead to fluid accumulation and life-theatening complications.
We fear that the FDA has not been as vigilant about monitoring generic drugs as most health professionals think. Here are just a few stories for your consideration. If you suspect that your generic furosemide is not working as intended, let your physician and pharmacist know that this is a problem other people have encountered.
“I have mild congestive heart failure and real bad edema, with my left leg especially. I take 80 mg Lasix twice a day. The brand name works quite well. Some of the generic furosemide seems to work but it seems to have a wide range of effectiveness from manufacturer to manufacturer.
“The generic furosemide that my mail order pharmacy sends me seems to do little or nothing. I may as well be taking chalk tablets. On this stuff I retained so much water that I would gain about 15-20 lbs or more and have shortness of breath. My legs would swell up badly. I have to keep a Lasix prescription at the local pharmacy and pay for it out of my own pocket to avoid problems.”
“I take furosemide, 20 mg tablets, and for a long time took Mylan brand generic. Then the pharmacy switched me to brand XXX generic. I immediately began ‘drowning,’ and my weight jumped 5 lbs overnight. I fortunately had some Mylan brand still on hand, switched back, lost the water, and three days later tried the brand XXX again. Same result. I am on an assigned Medicare Part D Plan, and as a result the Mylan has to be special-ordered and approved for me to get it.
“These are both generic forms of the same drug, but even among generics there are big differences. A major concern is that while I recognized the problem and took immediate action (and then tested the problem out again), there are a lot of elderly people on furosemide, for instance, who would not understand this type of problem with the pill. They could end up seriously ill, with their doctors blaming them for ‘non-compliance’ problems: “Mrs. D is not taking her furosemide as directed,” when in fact it was the drug manufacturer at fault.”
“Before I retired as a pharmacist, the two generic drugs that I received the most complaints about were generic Lasix and generic Ritalin.” Mark
Share your own story about furosemide below. Has it worked well for you? Have you experienced any furosemide (Lasix) side effects? Have you had any problems with generic formulations? Others may benefit from your comments. If you are taking furosemide for hypertension, you may find our Guide to Blood Pressure treatment of some value. It offers a number of non-drug options to discuss with your physician.
Revised: 6/22/17
Jasmine
Memphis
Yes my husband has chf and takes 80 mg of furosemide it was double like a year or two ago . He has been having alot of gout flare ups. He also has been coughing alot and it often makes him throw up he can’t keep food down sometimes. He also has frequent bowel movements. I’m really worried about his cough he is young he is only 36 years old. His Aunt dies about 2 year ago they double her dose to over a hundred and something mg and she had the same cough. He doesn’t see his doctor till October I want be able to go but I told him what to say.
Vicki
Dallas, TX
I was in the hospital in 1/2018 for 9 days after having found blood clots in both lungs. After leaving, the doctors wanted me to start a regimen of having my INR checked every 2 – 3 weeks. I was doing so good. I watched my diet and had put aside any food containing Vitamin K and also watch my sodium intake. I was doing good up until around the last of July. I started introducing very little vitamin k in my diet. Things were still OK until my Warfarin changed from Warfarin to Warfarin Sodium. I do take Furosmide several times a week. Just the last 2 – 3 weeks, I get up in the morning and both legs and ankles are swollen. I bought some compression socks to see if that would help. I used them in the hospital. I’m afraid to eat, drink, and take any of my meds. I’ve mentioned this to the doctor and I don’t receive any comment. I can’t continue to gain this weight. I don’t know what to do. Please help.
Frank
USA
Furosemide is making my life miserable
I am sleepy in day and anxious and sleepless at ht
I am newly wed with mo quality of life
My heart doctor just brushes me off and insists I must take warfarin and Lasix.
I have asthma, a pacemaker and 50% narrowed artery and now severe anxiety. My other doctors always defer to CHF because of fluid but without meds I have energy and feel better. Thinking of going off cold turkey.
frederick m.
boise, idaho
Thank you.
I have been on furosemide 80 mg and 120 mg for a few years. I have heart problems, dizziness, tired and feel weak, always short of breath. I also am 78 years old. In 2008 a car broad-sided me. Then in 2013 my car went into a unflagged sewer hole. I now have new pipes for hips. I take many vitamins, etc. I have been looking for a doctor who can test for all vitamins (full body evaluation).
Any suggestions ?
Gus
S. Louisiana
You reserve the full right to FIRE your Dr. on any given day. Remember they “practice” medicine. Get a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion from other Doctors. Life is too short to be miserable each waking day.
Betsie
Lilongwe Malawi
I had pulmonary embolisms about 3 years ago, and the doctor prescribed 40mg Frusemide to be taken once daily. About 18 months later, I was told by another to stop taking it, which I did. Then again told to take it about 3 months ago, the result was instant weight gain, terrible muscle and joint pains at night and I have to go the toilet about 6 times during the course of the night? I also take 2.5mg warfarin daily for the clotting problem. I also get out of breath very quickly. Is there any benefit in taking the Furosemide, as it seems to be causing other problems? Would love to hear from you.
Marci
Newport. News. Va
I’m taking furosemide 20mg 2x daily . Also losartan 25 mgs with potassium. Do I need more potassium or is the losartan enough?
Leslie
Newtownards. BT23 4DE
I have taken fureosomide 40mg daily for the last 5 years and to me I seriously think that it is useless but I am told by the doctors not to stop taking this which was increased to 80mg daily after my visit to hospital for a knee opsince which I have suffered with very swollen ankles and the increase in myfureosimide dose which I know is not helping me one bit
My doctor tells me that I cannot STOP taking this medication but I really intend to stop for a week as I honestly think that they are not relieving my swelling but only making me lifeless and immobile I am 82 years old
Tracy
USA
Ever since I have started 20 mg of Furosemide daily (6am), i’ve had less pain and have been able to decrease the amount of Tramadol I take daily. I was just wondering if anyone else has had this occur.
Glenda N
AL
My mother had swelling in her ankles .she only weighed 74 lbs.her Dr. Prescribed her lasix 40 mg.
She took one time day . we had home health nursing too .mom was feeling weaker .loose of appetite. They couldn’t figure out what’s wrong .bout week mom says let’s go Hosp .we waiting for results ..her body had no sodium.
Dr. Didn’t prescribe potassium with her lasix ..we were n Hosp 2 wks . we were home 2wks .she never recovered from that .I lost her ..do u believe Dr .is responsible ..I do .
Krist
AL
Three years ago, I began to take Furosemide after my colon surgery. When I went to the gynecologist, the nurse took my blood pressure and had 180/100. I went to the gym, walk, and felt cramps in my legs. I did not know that I had high blood pressure. I began to take medicine with Losartan and, Simvastatin (Low my high cholesterol). Currently, I left the Simvastatin pill because my body is not responding to the medications, I am intoxicated with them.
I have many of the symptoms of all these drugs. My kidneys are not filtering the drug. My body smells different. I think that I need to detox it. I made a control with the blood test. I had hives for no reason, blurred vision, sometimes dizziness, cramps in my legs, pain in my left side, and many other side effects of all these medicines.
I am looking a natural solution no more prescribing medications. The medicines are not curing or doing better; they are doing worst. What can I do? Some advice. Thank you for your time and consideration
Randy J S
Arizona
Ok ive been on this drug for 8 months. In the start work well then I LOOKED AT MY HAIR. loss of my hair was out of control.cause this drug raids all the ps. mag. minerals. so i know that lasix has fuckED with my HAIR…so if you know let me know
BaliRob
Indonesia
The best Forum for Lasix that I have read notwithstanding it is getting outdated (now being 2017) but it is impossible to get definitive answers to particular symptoms/problems.
However, careful study of these valuable contributions can give the sufferer new lines of thought or experiment to help reduce or combat their illnesses.
The most worrying aspect for me was the stark warning not to come off a particular drug because it may be dangerous to do so; many here HAVE DONE JUST THAT and not dropped dead – set against the total lack of knowledge shown by all of the doctors and specialists – what harm can can befall one?
In every country, both Third World (like my adopted one) and the whole of the Western World’s doctors are always at odds with each other and, apart from those studying a particular subject in Biology in universities, etc., they are disgracefully of low standard in their profession.
The are great at mending a broken leg because an X-ray told them so – and that is the general limit of their abilities.
For those in disagreement with me – just read every contribution here very carefully.
Aleen F
WA
I have been taking b/p meds more than 6 years but added furosemide (20-40 mg per day) six mo ago because of onset of swelling and peripheral neuropathy (lab test showed that I neede to increase sodium).
Neuropathy continued, so I quit both meds monitoring b/p ever since…between 120 /70. and 145/ 72. No more swelling and peripheral neuropathy is disappearing. My son is a doctor who prescribes and grand son who sells for a pharmaceutical. I have arbitrarily stopped prescription drugs, everything from Dexadrine to Adderall (3 years ago) taken for focus (at 10 years of age) more than 70 years ago.
Three years ago, I switched to noo-tropics then switched to one or two caffeine pills a day. Then off Proton Pump Inhibitors two months ago after being on for 17 years on for possible “Barrett’s Esophagus”.
Now, I drink water, and sometimes add baking soda when necessary. PPI’s could have caused my CKD and Osteoporosis, though my doctor said “no proof yet so keep on taking them”…. but I decided to quit them too after all my reading about their detrimental effect also possibly causing esophageal cancer ..maybe not Barrett’s but cancer is cancer.
These PPI’s are now in litigation. Do read the fine print that comes with all meds. Do not depend on the doctors to warn you. I am 81.5 years old and it has receently been discoverd that us oldtimes do not need to keep our b/p systolic under 130 and that pharmaceuticals like to make more money by selling the meds to all who will buy and teach drs. to keep oldsters b/p same as a young’uns.. . 120/80 and under.
That tends to be “Hog Wash”. I believe it was the long term use of my b/p meds that caused my need for furosemide and the furosemide was prescribed to reduce the swelling and thereby reduce the peripheral neuropathy which both showed up at the same time…
Deeg
Bel Air, MD
Is there any correlation between furosemide and fasciculations (muscle twitches)? I get them periodically about every 4-5 months.
Tom
MI
I have never been on any of these types of drugs. My blood pressure seems to vary from 115/60 to 150/66 or somewhere close to those ranges. Before I would take any drug, I would try a supplement like garlic or grape seed. I have had good success taking garlic extract that costs only $7 for a 3 month supply along with magnesium. My blood pressure will stay below 130/65 using it. I am 67 and about 20 lbs overweight and do some light exercise.
Rob
NZ
If Lasix is causing gout, will stopping it also stop the gout?
Cynthia
Herndon Virginia
I have been taking florisimide forever it seems but recently it seems to have stopped working. I ran out of a few days and now I am loosing water weight more easily. After reading what you wrote I think I need to contact my doctors office tomorrow also because she never told me all these side effects especially raising blood sugar levels.
John
Texas
I had gout attacks only when I was taking Lasix. My uric acid levels were 11. I have not had any attacks since discontinuing the Lasix.
Cindy
VA
My husband is 48 years old and has numerous health issues. He has gout, cirrohos of the liver (not spelled correctly),diabetes, heart issues (5 stents in place). He has been on lasix for about a year now. He takes 16 different medications right now.
After reading this blog I’m concerned because he is on lasix and omeprozale. His legs are constantly swollen and now his stomach is swollen with a bad pain on the left side under the rib cage. Anyone have any suggestions on what to do?
patcee c
CA
I have congestive heart failure and have been taking lasix for several years. I take two every other day and one every other day, but I don’t fully understand why. Lately the pills don’t make me go like they used to. I don’t know if your body gets used to them and they stop being as effective or not. I have some kind of chronic kidney problem that my doctor says is a stage 2 and mild. He said not to worry about it, but I do. I am also diabetic, but my A1Cs are always at 6.3 to 6.5, which the dr. says is fine.Today I noticed that there are two spots of yellow skin on my abdomen and it says online it could mean kidney disease. Should I be alarmed? I take potassium with the lasix but this is the first I’ve heard that magnesium could be low. That is never mentioned in my blood test results.
patcee c
I forgot to say I have horrible leg cramps every night. I only have them in bed. When I am up walking around my legs are fine, in fact it is sometimes the only way to ease the pain of the cramps. My doctor just seems confused about what might be causing them and prescribed a muscle relaxant. I don’t take it because it makes the next day groggy and tiring. Is this from lasix?
Sandy
South Carolina
Probably, yes. I take 500 mgs of Magnesium every day to make sure I do not have leg cramps at night. As long as I take Magnesium I no longer have leg cramps.
Sally
New York
I have these cramps so bad and gout, now I see it came from the Lassix as a side effect and my doctor just upped my dosage to 40 from 20. I am swollen in the legs and feet and I think my water pill isn’t working. I don’t think I’ll up the dosage but stop generic brand an opt for another brand of water pill. These doctors are not telling us everything. The gout is not hereditary, it came from the water pill and so did the ringing in my ears and blurry vision.
Sj
Colorado
If you having kidney problems try Parsley tea. A cup or two per day can help restore your kidney function. Not hard to make, dried parsley or fresh and some hot water.
Nancy
Salem Oregon
My doctor prescribed furosemide to reduce swelling, just the opposite effect happened. At first I thought it was just not working yet. Soon I noticed that my feet and legs would swell so much that they hurt when touched even the slightest. I stopped for a few days and things would be better, so I thought I would try it again and yes I would start swelling all over again. Sometimes I wonder if our doctors even research any of the meds before they give them to you.
Frank
Texas
I have been on Lasix 40MG for approximately six weeks for edema, shortness of breath, and high blood pressure. Gradually, I have encountered cramps in my feet and left hand, mostly at night. The worst effect is very harsh left kidney pain where I’m unable to sleep at night. It starts to subside about 4:30 AM. I used to take Triamterene/HCTZ Capsules 37.5-25MG with little or no side effects. I almost went to the emergency room last night due to the intense kidney pain. I’m calling my cardiac MD this morning for advice. At the very least I’m stopping the Lasix.
January G.
I was looking at some of your posts on this site, and I believe this web site is really informative! Keep posting.
StillTicking
Northeast
Oh, my, the diuretics! Truthfully, I don’t think any of them are good for our bodies, overall. Washing out our sodium, potassium, magnesium, along with other important vitamins and minerals and the potential for some severe side effects to our ears, eyes, kidneys and heaven knows what other organs suffer and cannot work to their full potential, due to the use of diuretics. No small wonder we don’t feel so great taking this stuff!
Enter heart failure. I have it. Thus, I also have the dread Lasix script. My Rx drug plan only covers generics Ok There’s that issue. A big, financial one for many of us on medications for chronic, incurable conditions.
I don’t yet qualify for Medicare, but apparently, it doesn’t much matter, as they push generics too. Why is the majority of the industrialized world so convinced that GENERICS ARE AS GOOD AS NAME BRANDS? Could it be greed?
Lets face it, most strictly medical docs just aren’t open to and will not even listen to any ideas about alternative/integrative medicine, in conjunction with good traditional medicine.
What I can share is that sometimes, the generic lasix works for me and sometimes it doesn’t. Even when taking pills from the very same bottle! Does anyone monitor, know or care about quality control, in generics? If so what is that monitoring method? Tell me it’s far better than the USDA monitoring programs currently in place!!!
Bottom line, imho, is that we’re all in this plate of medical spaghetti together and if our docs are not listening to us, are ignoring our issues and are unwilling to help us, then what the heck are we paying them for? I don’t pay a mechanic to fix my car and then have him ignore what I tell him, when the car still isn’t working.
Docs are good and docs are bad. Most are somewhere in between. Jaded docs are the worst! So, if you have the option, please at least get a 2nd opinion and/or switch docs, when and if your doc is dictating nonsense to you and not listening to you. Who needs it? I have better things to do with my time and my money, than enter a place of business, for a service, only to leave not having been listened to and not helped. Or worse, ignored!
Get what you and/or your insurance are paying for. That means an attentive, plugged in, unharried doctor who is interested in your health, monitors it closely and KNOWS what prescriptions and supplements you are taking and HOW you are taking them and if you’re improving or not.
We are so manipulated by a system, from docs to healthcare organizations and insurers, including Medicare, that it’s ridiculous! WE cannot take back our healthcare if we remain silent, take no action or just die, waiting for a good doc, who is patient-centered, more than he/she is profit and system-centered. We’re NOT numbers. We need not ever walk into our docs offices and leave, having only succeeded in “feeding the machine”, while having gotten nothing worthwhile to us, in return. Shop for docs just as you’d shop for anything else. The first store you go into may not be good for you, just because it’s 3 blocks from your home or place of work.
Secondly, we MUST be an active participant in our health care. Ask questions, until you have easily understandable answers. And then, go a step further. Otherwise, you cannot possibly make good decisions for yourself.
As some others have stated here, do not take your doctor’s word when it comes to Rx drugs, procedures or anything else, re side effects and other down sides. Research and/or have a friend or relative do it for you. Then, make your best decision, based on how you feel, in conjunction with what you’ve learned, along with a 2nd opinion if needed.
This is OUR body and OUR health at stake and it is and should be OUR decision as to what we will put into it, take out of it, what procedures we’ll agree to and how long we’ll remain with any particular doc with whom we are not satisfied or comfortable.
Lasix and it’s generic counterparts are just one of many meds which and can and sometimes does half kill us, before we realize what’s happening. Consider this: If medicine was an EXACT science, then why do so many docs have very different opinions about how to treat and with what? No; medicine is an ART, first and foremost and partly based on “science”. Science which is often skewed, depending upon who did the research an who paid for it and how UNconfounding the parameters were. Gets confusing and maddening at times. Important thing is to not get caught in the middle of the systems and stay there.
We’re all different. Our bodies all respond differently to different medications and even differently to so-called naturals and supplements. Peddle softly my friends, but KEEP peddling. Advocate for your loved ones and friends in the medical arena, and advocate fiercely for YOURSELF! It’s the best we can do for ourselves. Let the madness ride and don’t give it any negative energy. Instead, give your energy to diligence and vigilance and don’t let the sun set, one more day, feeling like a spoke in just another medical system wheel.
When all else fails, contact your State Insurance Commission (for insurance and coverage issues) and/or the Commission on Ageing/Elder services. Help is out there. Don’t be afraid to report doctors who are negligent in your care. Stand up and have your voice heard. If we all do this, just maybe, we can effect some small changes, here and there. Can’t hurt and at the end of the day, we can be proud of advocating and having our voices heard.
Good wishes and good health to one and all!!!
Marie
Virginia
I had the same thought.
But I have a very good Patient Centered Doctor.
I am taking Lasix for the past 6 days but I dont know how long am I going to take it. The package indicates 30 pills..will it be renewed ? And My i surance covered it all. I did not pay for lasix. Am trying to read everything I can about lasix/furosemide.. thanks for bringing your thoughts here..it may wake up some people ..
MJ
Cleveland
I have been on brand name Lasix for over 30 years, managed effectively for bi lateral lymphedema.
This past month (July 2016) it is no longer available through CVS or Rite Aid pharmacies as all have gone to generic. My experience over trying this as a substitute for the brand name, is that the generic does absolutely nothing to resolve swelling, and only causes allergic skin outbreaks.
I have found nowhere an answer to how to get the brand name. I am furious as generic is not close to the same as brand name product. They are completely different in how my body reacts.
Please help! Years ago my parents traveled frequently to Mexico where brand name Lasix was sold as an over the counter medication, requiring no prescription. The cost was much lower too than brand name product sold in the US as prescription.
I am 65 and fear the future of managing my condition now that I cannot appeal to purchase brand name lasix and it is no longer available anywhere that I can find. This is a frightening prospect to face and as I age there is no one listening or understanding this problem.
The drug companies seem to maintain silence on the subject and insist the generic is the same.
It is well known that this is not true.
Please advise where I can locate the brand name so that I do not suffer the consequences and negative side effects of generic substitutes. I have paid the high price for brand name and pleaded my case with insurance providers….but no one is listening.
PLEASE HELP!!!!
Karen
Atlanta, Ga
Thank you, now I don’t feel like I am going insane from repeatedly telling my Doctors how to be Doctors and treat me. I’ve been living a nightmare for four months all because I questioned my Doctors practices and procedures for testing my blood. My platelets are supposedly too low to make it through a simple hysterectomy to remove Endometrial Cancer. After spending five days in the hospital while they gave me 2 bags of platelets, 1 bag of immunoglobulin, a bag of blood, and steroids.
I checked myself out after they suggested the next move would be a complete blood transfusion and then a spleenectomy. I came home and after trying alternative medicine “Papaya Leaf tea” and then doing weeks of research, I have finally come to the conclusion, the Doctors should have tried taking me off the MEDs and then checking my blood, I believe its Drug induced Thrombocytopenia. Caused by the Lasix they put me on months ago.
My insurance carrier doesn’t want to cover the cost of a second opinion, so I am going to Emory here in Atlanta and have their Doctors attempt to save my life. It will all be out of pocket. But Now I am thinking about sueing my Carrier for negligence. If I could charge them with attempted murder for dragging their heels and putting up smoke screens and insisting that they have Doctors who can treat me within their NETWORK, I would. It’s not that they don’t have Doctors, none of their Doctors Want to operate on me. They should have done their due diligence, and at least tried to find out the cause of the low platelets. I’m going to report them.
Marcia
TN
I have retained a lot of fluid in my feet and legs since I’m not as active as before my back problems. I have 6 lasix left from a script that’s 6 years old. Would it be safe to take one to keep from having to go to the doc for a co-pay to get a new script? It’s 20 mgs…
Marcia
excuse me the script is 4 years old not 6…
suzanne
CALIFORNIA
Does anyone know if there is a way to “cycle” lower and higher doses of Lasix. My 95 year old Dad is taking it for CHF…but he also has kidney failure. When his doc dropped the Lasix level down to 20 MG 2x per day…after a time, he had fluid retention and trouble breathing…so we upped it back up to 40 MG 2x per day. It seems that this has been the pattern over the last few years. So, just wondering, it seems logical to continue this “cycling” of 40 – 80 mg of Lasix…to lessen the strain on the kidneys and prevent building up a tolerance to the Lasix?? Does anyone have experience with this?
Laura
Sacramento
Hello I am 50 year old female. I have been taking Furosemide for 3 1/2 weeks at the same time I got an right ear infection but both ears bothered me. I thought from taking my antibiotics and Predisone it caused many issues. It turns out it may be the Furosemide.
Symptoms include my heart racing, weight gain, edema in my hands, calves and feet, lack of mental focus, shortness of breath, dizziness, watery right eye, burning in my ears, tongue, genital area. I also have ringing in my ears, cannot listen to loud conversations, hearing issues, plugging of the ears, tingling and numbness in hands and feet.Tingling in my mouth. I have been to the ENT and my ear infection is gone but still having the ear and other issues. ENT doctor said it could be bacteria or issue with potassium level and least likely caused by Furosemide. I let my primary care doctor know I stopped taking medication yesterday.
I have originally been taken Triamterene for 25 years, other than low potassium, no problems. My Endocrinologist felt Triamterene causing high PTH level so suggested I stop and if needed switch to Lasix. Wow this Lasix medication is very scarey and I am shocked to read how it can ultimately kill you. I also went to the ER for shortness of breath, dizziness and nausea and my ear that has driving me nuts. They couldn’t find anything wrong with me. No one believes it is the Furosemide that is causing all my issues but my primary care doctor believes in me. Thank you for this forum. I hope it helps others.
Pat
Georgia
VA requires generics be taken by my spouse, even though it has repeatedly been proven that he ends up in hospital because they have little to no impact. In addition to CHF and kidney issues he has liver issues. Generics appear to have a binder or filler that his liver and stomach can’t absorb and it just runs through him. When we beg VA to change his medications to name brand we are told no – they don’t do that – it would cost the VA too much money if they used name brand drugs. Why? Because over 1/2 of the veterans being provided services are unresponsive to generic drugs. Not but $30 per month for one patient but multiplied by 50% of those they provide drugs for – too much money. They would rather put him in the hospital for one week per month (w/o regard to impact on family and my job, our primary source of income) than pay $30 per month to keep him alive and out of the hospital. Insanity rules when government allowed to provide medical care.
Brenda
Colorado
Pat, the problem is not the VA or the government controlling healthcare. The problem is the high cost of drugs and healthcare in this country period. You will have the same problem dealing with a private insurance carrier. Until something is done about the corrupt politicans in this country accepting legal bribes from the drug industry, it will never change and only get worse.
Kathleen
MA
I have CHF with an ejection fraction of 14% due to a virus which damaged my heart. Recent pacemaker/ defibrillator. Left side ventricular issues. Fluid retention was limited to around my heart. I take Furosemide 20mg/1 tab daily. Works like a charm. There are days when I will only urinate 2 or 3 times, so I usually skip the next day and start again the following day. Right back to normal. My BP has been normal all along. No weight gain or dizziness, but a potassium supplement is crucial to avoid muscle cramping. No complaints at all about this medication
Kat
NC, USA
I had to take Lasik for all over edema with congestive heart failure. I took it as prescribed and it helped with the fluid. However, I started getting the worst muscle cramps I’ve ever had. And I mean just doing simple things like brushing my hair or reaching for something. The cramps were more awful at night and brought me to tears. I lost a lot of sleep. I told my cardiologist about this and he actually said to me, “I’ve been prescribing this med to hundreds of patients for years and no one has ever complained about this.” Made me feel like an idiot. But I know what I feel and I don’t care how many people have or don’t have the same side effects. My cardiologist also just casually said to buy some potassium and magnesium and that should help w/the cramps. Didn’t say how much to take per day or anything. Very careless if you ask me. Anyway, that’s been my experience. I’ll probably have to go to the hospital and get a Lasik IV because my stomach is really swollen right now. Good luck everyone.
Neese
California
Hi Kat,
The muscle cramps means that the Lasik has depleted your nutrients, such as Potassium. You should actually get your potassium levels checked and start taking the supplements as your Dr. suggested. When I had low potassium (from hydroclorothiazide), I was having the same issue and was rushed to the emergency room where they provided a potassium pill and I felt brand new after taking that. Good luck! :-)
Kathleen
I cannot imagine any reputable cardiologist actually saying such a thing. Potassium deficiency is an extremely common side effect. The first time I received IV Lasix in the hospital, my potassium was so depleted that my entire body cramped up and I broke my wrist right there in the hospital bed from the spasticity. I got my hand caught in the bed rails. They gave me potassium immediately. Cramping ceased immediately. Personally, I would not return to that cardiologist
Craig
Las Vegas, NV
The potassium and magnesium should help. Also look for foods with potassium. Orange Juice, etc. I just started on this stuff and got a couple cramps. Online says to keep a balance and let the med do its work. My doctor prescribed a potassium supplement with my furosemide. He suggested I buy an over-the-counter magnesium supplement. That one is 200.
Linda A K
FL
I have been taking Lasix for ten years. My doctor is a big believer in blood tests. Since I have been on Lasix, my cholesterol has gone up and my potassium levels have decreased to the point, where my doctor prescribed a potassium supplement. You cannot take an over the counter supplement to get your levels back up. The potassium vitamins prescribed by my doctor are 10 MEQ, which you cannot find OTC.
George
Florida
Have been on Furosemide at 40 mg/day four years for congestive heart failure potential problem. About two years ago during Florida Summer heat and working outside I stopped taking it for urination convenience without doctors approval, and when cool weather came I stopped sweating—-ended up with severe congestive heart failure to ER. Now OK and take it daily without stopping. My new concern is potential kidney damage but the congestive heart problem is still there, thus I continue taking Furosemide.
Be careful in stopping the drug- congestive heart is no picnic.
Lynn
Raleigh North Carolina
My doctor took me off valsartan with hctz last year after I lost about 50 lbs because my blood pressure had dropped too low. I just took the kind without hctz and a while later when my blood pressure began to creep up again, she added furosemide. I’ve been on it for about 5 or 6 months now and having problems with my vision. I had a yearly check up in November and my prescription had changed ( I’d had cataract surgery on both eyes last year). Two months after my yearly eye exam I went back to my eye doctor because my vision seemed worse. It was. I had blurry vision but was able to use reading glasses. I went to the highest level I could find but eventually even reading glasses did not help. My eye doctor sent me to a retina specialist who found that my eyes are healthy. Yet today, six weeks later my optometrist could not correct my vision well enough to read most of the chart. According to her I have lost 3 lines on the chart ( which I’d been able to read in the past). She thinks it’s a waste of money to write a new prescription for glasses which will probably change in 2 months. As a last resort she’ll send me to a neurologist to find out what’s wrong. She thinks it could be the furosemide. Is that possible? I haven’t been able to find out much on my own. Thanks for any help/insight you can provide!
Barbara
Los Angeles
About 4 years ago I was on Hydrochlorothiazide and it did not seem to work well alone so my doctor added the generic version of Lasix. When the Hydrochlorithiazide and the generic Lasix were taken together, they seemed to work best. My doctor told me to stop the Hydrochlorithiazide and just take the generic Lasix so I did. He also added Omprazole to my medications and kept prescribing the generic version of Zantac each time I filled my prescriptions. It seemed that my feet and ankles started to mildly swell witht he addition of Omeprazole so I stopped taking it and only took the generic Zantac. Then I went into the hospital to have my thyroid removed because of thyroid cancer and told them what medication I was taking. The nurses there had me taking both the Omeprazole and the generic Zantac even though I told them I was not taking both but they were refilled everytime I went to the pharmacist because that is what my doctor ordered.
When the doctor on my case came in I discussed it with him and he told me to stop taking the generic Zantac and only take the Omeprazole because it was a better medication. I did and things went from bad to worse. The next time I was in to see my primary care doctor, I told him of the itching and the breakouts on my legs, shins, and feet and told him I think I am allergic to the Omeprazole. 3 doctors later and after running out of the Omeprazole, the swelling on my legs and over the rest of my body went way down. Process of elimination. No Omeprazole, no swelling. Never took it again. When I told my new primary care doctor, she ask me how I knew it was an allergy to the Omeprazole? I told her, process of elimination. No Omeprazole, no swelling, that is how I know.
Now a year later I am still having cramping in my calves and breakouts on my lower legs/shins and my new primary care doctor will not take me off the generic lasix or test me for allergies to any of the medications I am on. I no longer know what to do. I went to a dermatologist for something else and showed him my legs but he did not know what to do as he said he never saw anything like that before. Can you offer any suggestions of where I should go or what I should be doing.
By the way I am also on Simvastatin (which does cause cramping), Levothyroxine, Methocarbamol (for the cramping), Gabapentin (for the pain from the cramping and other nerve pain), Losartan Potassium, and Calcium +D. I was on one generic Lasix to start with, then they added a second one at night, then on in the afternoon, and because the swelling has not gone down totally they added a 4th. They just keep adding and do not listen to possible allergic reaction. Each generic Lasix is 40mg.
Tommy
Greensboro, NC
Years ago, I was employed by the creator of Lasix. When generics first came out there were numerous failures. Our medical department explained the main reason for generic failures. Furosemide is chemically easy to duplicate. The problem was getting it buffered property so that it is readily and consistently absorbed. Plus generics only needed to be tested to plus or minus 20 % absorption in healthy individuals. Approved brand A could be a plus 20%. Then patient gets switched at the pharmacy to brand B, a minus 2O%. This could cause treatment failures.
Finally, to control edema, it was better to increase the strength of the once a day dose, rather than go twice or three times a day. If 40mg didn’t control the edema, then go 80mg, etc. For BP control, a BID dose was recommended.
Sharon
Portland, OR
My sister (age 87) and her daughter (age 63) were recently told by their doctors (each had different doctors) to stop taking their daily dose of 12.5 mg of Hydrochlorothiazide for blood pressure because it can cause memory loss, balance problems and loss of mental alertness in older people. I, too, take 12.5 mg of HCTZ and have e-mailed my own doc about this but, so far, have not received his response. Has anyone else any info regarding HCTZ?
Terry Graedon
Hydrochlorothiazide can make potassium drop too low, which in turn could cause confusion. Older people might be especially susceptible. On the other hand, for those who tolerate it, HCTZ is a perfectly reasonable treatment for high blood pressure.
Dee
Atlanta, GA
My doctor added HCTZ to my Lisinopril when my blood pressure got a little bit high. After taking it for about a week, I suffered with nausea, dizziness and dehydration. My doctor told me to go to the hospital for hydration. My electrolytes were way low (especially sodium). I ended up in the hospital for almost a week, and even then they couldn’t get my sodium back up. It was a scary experience and the EMTs said I was close to convulsions when I got to the hospital. My doctor told me he thinks I’m allergic to diuretics, something he had never seen before. So if you have bad symptoms, don’t wait long to get medical help. There are other things that can help blood pressure with fewer side effects.
jan
CA
Fyi.. generic lasix (furosemide) seemed to cause forgetfulness.
Switched to brand and it went away.
Another issue: Does anyone know if blood in urine can be caused by Lasix?
Would appreciate any information! Thanks.
HAROLD
NY
Been on furosemide 40 mg 3 times about 6 weeks and because it transformed me into a zombie, my MD dropped the dose t0 20 mg 3 times a week. Within another month my legs were so weak, I couldn’t walk at all. Waiting to hear from my cardiologist for advice.
Richie S.
Lebanon tn.
I have been on furosemide close to 2 years. I take 160 mg a day to get excess water from my body and keep the swelling down in my legs. I manage to keep the swelling reasonably under controlA little swelling in late afternoon but down over night. I also have a kidney problem which is most likely the main reason for the high dose of furosemide. My legs are doing better and better each day, specially if I keep moving. Oh – I am 76 years old. Now I am having wetting problems and diapered 24/7. Next week I’m seeing a urologist docter but I think I prefer the diapers then more pills and tests. I feel great and can do most things except walk great distance. I have a heart – lung COPD) Kidney and anemia doctors and for the most part they agree with me
Chuck
NC
I take Furosemide 40mg 3x daily and STILL have swollen legs, but more in the left leg. I’ve been on this for almost 4 years, I sleep with my feet elevated, and when I first wake for the day, that’s the ONLY time my lower legs and feet look and feel normal. I need to check on a different diuretic since it’s obviously not doing it’s job, except it’s robbing my body of potassium and everything else I take since I pee it all right back out of my body before it has a chance to do their jobs.
I just and FINALLY got my Dr’s to prescribe me a potassium supplement after yet another ER visit and found to be hypokalemic yet again. MANY of the symptoms I’ve mentioned to my Dr. links directly back to a lack of potassium, so I advise anybody taking ANY diuretic, to have your blood checked OFTEN, not every 6 months like MY Dr. wants to do and thinks is fine. Do I need another Dr? You bet! But I live in a rural area and there just aren’t many choices, and on a fixed income I can’t afford to move closer to a town/city with more Dr’s to choose from.
Educate yourself as much as possible and you may have to confront your Dr once in a while, because in spite of all the “degrees and diplomas” on the walls, they don’t know it all and sometimes just treat you like you’re part of an assembly line. Also, get to know your pharmacist, since they know more about meds than your Dr does. Luckily I’ve got a great couple of pharmacists, and I rely on them a lot. Take advantage of their knowledge, and most of the time they won’t mind sharing it with you at all. It could make a huge difference. They’ve helped me several times questioning my Dr about meds, and I was put on something else, or the existing prescription changed because it was too little or too much….like the potassium issue. On the paperwork from the hospital it CLEARLY states that any patient on furosemide is required to be on a potassium supplement. Now that I am, and still eating a healthy diet, I feel better than I have in 4 years. I feel alive again, instead of just existing.
MIchael
South Florida
Lasix has been a God-send for me. I just worry about my fellow heart-failure patients who don’t understand the importance of being tough on themselves about a low sodium diet, in ADDITION to taking their Lasix as prescribed. The Lasix is not a “remedy” that you take so you can still have Chinese food every Sunday night. It must work in conjunction with your careful diet if it’s going to help you. Unfortunately, heart-failure is a progressive illness.
However, if you’re diligent about your diet, and consistent with your dosage of Lasix, the progression of heart-failure CAN be slowed. I’m the proof. Get a great low-sodium cookbook and take care of yourself! The happiest benefit to come from my illness is that I’ve become a really great cook, and the kitchen has become my refuge! Cooking makes me happy, happy makes me healthy. I send best regards and good health to all who may read this. :)
Shuger
Kalkaska, MI
I was on Lasix for years due to swelling legs…..I was allergic to the prilasec and no one seems to be aware of this. After establishing that I did not have heart problems and off the prilasec a few years, I went off the Lasix. The hair loss I was experiencing has stopped and my thoughts are a lot more clear. They (Dr.s) wanted me on anxiety drugs ect…..I feel so much better. I just can’t believe the difference. Also the swelling in my legs has gone down to about half of what they were On the drug.
Barbara
Los Angeles
Shuger, when you state prilasec, do you mean prilosec (Omeprazole)? If this is what you were referring to, I just want to let you know that Prilosec/Omeprazole can cause severe swelling in the legs, shins, and feet. I had a swelling so severe especially in the areas mentioned that I now have lymphedema and chronic venous statis from it. My doctors would not listen to me for 3 years and last fall I found out that it was an allergy for sure when I ran out of the medication and could not get in to the pharmacy for 3 weeks to get my prescription refilled. The swelling went down dramatically although not totally (because I feel I am still allergic to other medications I am on but still trying to figure out which ones so I know for sure).
Heabette
WV
After reading others comments, I feel I have confirmation about my concerns about the use of Lasix (and other drugs). NOW begins a new adventure in my health care (in my old age ) to weed out the chaff. My experiences with medication is similar to the other commentators.
Annette
United States
My 82 year old mother has been on Lasix for two years. She has recently developed scaly, rash-type patches on her neck. After reading about the side affects of Lasix, she cut her dose in half and the rash went away.
She is currently taking a generic (I think) form of Lasix 20mg, that is shaped like a football and has a “V” type symbol on it, with good results. Her pharmacy recently ran out of this manufacturer’s pills and substituted a small, round pill with different markings. Today she woke up and complained to me that she couldn’t breathe all night. The other pill worked much better, so there is a difference in efficacy between manufacturers.
Now that I’m reading about all the side effects, like kidney failure and tinnitus, I think I would like to see her on another type of diuretic altogether. Thank you for this informative site.
Peter S.
Zimbabwe
I’m on medication to lower my blood pressure and heart problem. I’m taking Spironolactone once daily, loratan once daily, nifedifine twice daily, atenolol once daily, frusemide twice daily. My problem is after taking the above I feel a great pain from stomach at times I wont be able to walk. I consulted my doctor and he refered me for echo. I’m going for echo tomorrow please help.
Phyllis Y.
Reno, NV
My brother is on Furosemide 20mg and after reading your stories it explains a lot of his problems. Thanks for the info. It helps me to understand many things. PJY…
Demetrius
San Francisco, CA
I made a post about lasix also. Only to be hospitalized once again. What makes it so bad, They altered my medication which included raising my my lasix from 40 mg to eighty mg. I thought to myself oh my god I going to die for sure. Low and behold I haven’t been back to the hospital since.
Laura
Sacramento
Hope you are doing well Demetrius. I just went off my medication yesterday.
John
Florida
I take 120 milligrams of lasix you want to talk about getting dizzy and blurred vision plus now I’ve been putting weights back on.
Marilyn Wise
United States
I have congestive heart failure and am under hospice who give me 1 mg of Bumetanide and 12 1/2 mg of Spironolactone a day for extreme swelling and it has worked as I also drink a qt. of Tonic Water and eat several oranges a day for potassium. However, today I have taken the meds and still am very swollen and hardly urinating. Is this caused by low electrolytes or is it just a sign of dying? My last blood test a month ago showed electrolytes at O.K. levels after drinking the tonic (quinine) water. By the way, since drinking tonic, my terrible leg cramps have completely disappeared! I learned of this from my daughter who was in a large ballet company for years.
Mashun
So, is Lasix safe? With all of the side effects, I’m nervous!!!
CHRISSY
OHIO
I’m in the 4th stage of emphysema. I was recently diagnosed with edema. I went to the E.R. where they said I had edema. They told me to have my PCP to prescribe lasix, which she did. It was 40 mg. and also prescribed pottasium 20. Well to make a long story short, I am also on lithium for being bi-polar. Well the lasix interacted with the lithium and I ended up in the hospital with severe dehydration and acute renal failure.
I could have died as a result of the combination of the two medicines. Now I’m off the lithium but now take 300 mgs of serequel. I have called my PCP because I’m still holding water and I need to be on a duiretic. She has not called me with an answer as far as saying I can take the lasix now. My nerves are shot because of the fear of some kind of bad reaction. I’m at a loss of words wondering what to do. Maybe someone who reads this can give me an opinion. please.
People's Pharmacy
The interaction you suffered could have been deadly; you are right. You need to have an expert who can check for interactions. Since your PCP has demonstrated she doesn’t do that carefully, ask for a consultation with a clinical pharmacist.
carol k.
wa
just had generic foresimide changed by pharmacy and doesn’t work well am now working at finding prev type. know its not working on me.
Debra T.
Kansas
I am having some major problems with this drug “Lasix” Or Better Yet the generic form called ” Furosemide” 20 mg 2x a day. I am also on Potassium. My Legs into my feet are cramping so badly that I have been miserable! They are like “Charlie Horses” And this is concerning to me because just 3 months ago I had an implant device PACEMAKER/DIFIB put in.
Today I Contacted my pharmacy & asked the pharmacist if he knew what this could be from. He told me this is a side effect of Lasix and even though I’m drinking ALOT of water, he told me to drink gatorade asap. Electrolytes are out of whack! You have to do more than drink water~ Good Luck to all of you on this drug!
Demetrius
San Francisco,CA
Approx. 2-3 weeks ago I was giving a portable defib. temporary for 90 days.
I’m diabetic, congestive heart failure just a host of things that is quite common, as I see just from reading the postings.
Well, yesterday I had a very bad episode that was caused by Furosemide. The night before I was showering and recognized that I was retaining fluids as I took off my socks. At that point, I took one more Furosemide pill and continued on with my plans. We arrived at a hotel. I undressed and everything was fine. all of a sudden I got a cramp in my left leg, then my right, then I found myself on the ground crying unable to walk. HOW FREAKING EMBARRASSING!!!!! today I will call my doctor and request for some type of alternative option. Because I felt like a little wimp on the ground crying and yelling.
S B
I have been taking Furosemide for years but for the last 4 or so years I can’t go out because I can’t get shoes on my feet ankles legs are so big and heavy my knees are so big I can’t walk anywhere without pain and the cartilage keeps moving. My belly is so big I am like a rolypoly now need size 24 to go round me I really am ashamed of myself.
I have ringing in my ears dizziness hair is falling out have no tears, can’t smell, eyes are sore and all, my teeth have fallen out. I have agoraphobia heart problems etc I am a mess I do wish I could get some help. regards Sandra B.
AP
I ws told by my oncologist to take Lasix for swelling ( I have multiple Myeloma) for three days only in a row and then stop to get rid of swelling in my feet and ankles. while on the Lasix i did not urinate more and after stopping my feet and ankles are more swollen then ever. I am not taking it again. Has anyone else had this problem?
Jamie
I have pitted edeama dr cant figu out why. Blood work and stress test ruled out any major thing but the past week my swelling is way worse cant wear shoes im hurting. The edeama is all over my face hands legs feet añd my pantz r tight .
I take 40mg furosemide . dr dont seem to think raising dose will help but i have taken more here n there but no help but didn’t do it every day for any long stretch. Been on Furosemide for 4 months. Im 5.1 i am overweight my blood pressure is ok.
I take Metformin 1000 a day. Im on 58mg methadone a day. No other health problems . Help i feel stuck also been tired and having headaches and nausea. The edeama is everywhere but feet & legs r worse . They r unbearable :(. I am over weight but usually carry it well. I look like a freak. Frustrated and feeling hopeless.
BeBe
Fargo, M
I was on 20 mg of furosimide for many years, never a problem. Then a few months back because of fluid retention Drs increased my dosage to 80 mg. After a couple month of this they came back and said we are “over-medicating you,” and cut my Lasix back to 40 mg per day. I have been on that dosage for several months now. Then I began to find I was having a problem not being able to urinate 12 hours after taking my Lasix. So, started taking one 20 mg tablet earlier and the second one several hours later. It still seems like when so many hours elapse, and just before it is time to take the second dosage, again I lose the ability to urinate!
How much fluid should I be drinking every time I take one of the 20 mg of lasix??? I have also developed really severe leg pain in my right leg !
I pray you have some answers for me ?? Help!
S B
I have been taking Furosemide for over 20years now. 80mg down to 20mg per day then up again then down again then took off them then on again besides 12 other medications my legs are and belly are so big I cannot get shoes on so I can’t go out at all now only to doctors or hospital in a pair of elasticated slippers. I can’t even get xxxxx width on.
I was rushed in hospital with suspected heart attack. I have dizzy spells and can’t stand up for any length of time labrinthitis low then high blood pressure. Arthritis. IBS. Asthma. No sense of smell at all no tiers my teeth have dropped out. Hair is dropping out. Agoraphobia. Tinnitus so obviously no self esteem at all. I was on Warferine but they took it off me and gave me rivaroxaban I just feel a nuisance because doctors just haven’t got the time to spend any time with you anymore.
Regards sandra
Ginger
My mom is 91 years old and was recently put on 80 mg of Lasik a day and she is still retaking. Legs are swollen, ringing in ears, tired don’t want to get up. Neuropathy in legs. Feet burning. She was on just 40 and the doctor raised to 40 more. Do I need to ask for Lasix and forget the generic?
Marie S
I was on furosimide for over a ear for swelling of feet, ankles, and legs,It just kept getting worse. I’m also on metoprolol for A-Fib. I thought the water pill should make the swelling go down, but no. Finally after getting rid of all meds one by one that I felt was causing this. There was only the furosimide left, so I asked my Dr. for prior Auth. for Lasix as it wasn’t on my formulary.
It was approved, and after a couple of months, the swelling has gone away, I only take 20mg once a dasy and my body has been cramping terrible. I know what I have to eat, but being 81 yrs old and having to depend on someone to do shopping, I run out of O.J. and bananas, etc. and can’t get anyone to get them for me. So I just called Dr. to see what strength of potassium I can take, even though I don’t want to, but I may have no choice.
BobbieB
At the end of last year, I had a very bad cold and then a chest infection. Don’t know if it was the chest infection or antibiotics that turned me into a zombie but it took a lot of getting over. I have been experiencing shortness of breath for some time and this had got worse so mentioned it to my Dr. She put me on Furosemide, arranged blood test, chest Xray and Echo scan.
I had a heart attack 5 years ago followed by triple by-pass. I have been told that my kidneys don’t have full function, now at stage 3. I take candesartan for high blood pressure + the usual meds for heart attack. Last week I had another blood test for kidney function. The Dr phoned to say stop taking Furosemide as kidneys have got worse.
Recently my BP has been very low. Mostly below 110 over 56. How long before the water tablets are out of my system and can I hope my kidney function will return to the previous stage 3?
Xray didn’t show any water on my lungs. Echo scan showed enlarged heart and left ventricle not resting as it should? I am 81 years old.
Really hoping that the water pills haven’t done more permanent damage.
Frank J
I am grateful for the differing opinions. I take Furosimide 20 mg once a day, the truth of it is not yet clear, as I was taking 40 mg of Atorvastatin. I stopped taking that and feel better than I have in over a year. (Silent Heart attack 14 months ago) Standard treatment of 5 daily Meds.
L.Leslie
I had been on furosemide 40mg for about ten years. I was put on this medicine for high blood pressure and swelling of the legs and ankles. My doctor has retired and I was forced to find another doctor, who now has taken me off of furosemide. It has caused kidney damage also vertigo.
If I had continued to take furosemide, I would now probably be pushing up daisies.
Mary C.
I took Lasix for many years and did develop gout. I’ve been taking Allopurinol ever since. I completely stopped the Lasix a couple of years ago. Do you think I could stop the Allopurinol?
Elizabeth S.
My mother is 91 and I live with her. She has severe pain from neuroprophy (sp) both legs knees down and terrible pain and swelling. She takes pain meds when swelling is at it’s height. 20 mg Lasix once day. Usually gets dizzy and has tinnitus even when not on water pill. Does Gatorade help with loss of salt and electrolytes? Drinking this, will it possibly keep these side effects at bay, since she is extreme fall risk? What other food or drink will or can assist with side effects, pls
MJT
I have congenital bilateral lymphedema and have taken 40mg of lasix 3x daily for decades as successful treatment for this condition. I maintain potassium levels effectively through diet and supplements. I have never been able to take the generic version of lasix as it simply never works – tried numerous times to no avail. A year and a half ago I had a partial pancreatectomy and splenectomy and in Nov had a total knee replacement.
Everything went well for both until a few weeks after knee surgery when I broke out in hives that were difficult to treat and took 2 months and cortisone pack along with antihistimines to control. It just recently returned.
After getting blood tests back that showed possible chronic kidney disease I started doing research and found that lasix may be a factor in the complexity of what is now happening. I don’t know how else to treat the lymphedema problem so that it is managed and not be impacted by the medication.
I am a proponent for alternative health and take probiotics, digestive enzymes and get weekly acupuncture treatments that have helped tremendously.
And I have a proactive and highly intelligent physician and am working with head of dermatology at Cleveland Clinic to treat recent rashes. Ultimately, this is a complex constellation of conditions that is a challenge in treating effectively.
Ruthiez
Hi. I was on Lasix (furosemide) for several years. I began taking it several years ago after I had severe, and painful, idiopathic edema in both legs. Since that time I have lost nearly 130 pounds (115 in the last 12 months), and requested my physician remove me from this and a couple other medications. She agreed, but now I have a problem. I had noticed before, when I would miss my morning meds, or take them a good bit later than normal, I had strange and uncomfortable side-effects, including the sensation of hot/cold cycling and general malaise. Last night I couldn’t sleep until I took some Benadryl and NyQuil to knock myself out. I am still slightly uncomfortable and have ringing in my ears. I don’t know how to make this better other than to 1) weather it out…oy… or 2) go back on the Lasix. I am the Queen of odd side-effects lol.
kfor
Some years ago I was hospitalized for two and a half months (part of the time in a coma) and was given Lasix to keep fluid retention at a minimum. I took it for a short while after coming home but then stopped. I now attribute my present problems to that time in the hospital.
Shortly after coming home I developed ringing in BOTH ears at the same time, hearing loss in BOTH ears at the same time, prediabetes which developed into type-2 even after diet changes, and high uric acid levels which developed into gout.
I have always been careful with my cooking and diet because my husband has high cholesterol and high blood pressure and it puzzled me that these things happened to me in a relatively short period of time.
Thank heaven for both of you and your column. It helps tremendously to know that when I need to check on something I will often find the answer on your website [www.peoplespharmacy.com]. Thank you.
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
Thank you for taking time to share such a thoughtful comment.
LEW
My husband took Furosimde for many years. We now know the Cardiologist who is caring for my husband was taking too many drugs that were not beneficial to him including Furosided. He was like a Zombie, just wanted to sit and do nothing.
After this Cardiologist took my husband off this drug, plus others, plus prescribing something else and reducing the amounts in other drugs, he miraculously became alive again. He is now 86 years old, has survived two dangerous life threatening surgeries, including a heart replacement one. He is now very active and building things like he use to that he loved to do. Does many tasks and does not want to sleep all day, eats well and so many other things.
I am hoping people who take this drug and many others that you have written about take heed and ask their Doctors to check their drugs out very carefully. When my husband had the heart surgery, he wasn’t recovering well, I found out that he was taking this and other drugs that he shouldn’t have been. Cardiologist immediately started checking out what I had found and was amazed that all those other Drs. were not checking his meds, dosage, etc.
Once again Dr. Gradeon and Mr. Gradeon, Thanks for such a wonderful column and all the information you write about alerting and showing us so many natural remedies to use instead of harmful drugs. Sincerely, Mrs W.
RKM, MD
Furosimide also poses an increased risk for osteoporosis by its inhibition of calcium re-absorption.
B.C.
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Graedon: The information you give to all of us is priceless. You have saved an innumerable number of people, young and old,
from many, many problems – The People’s Pharmacy News report is the only one I believe without question.
I know you must sleep well at night.
God bless . From a grateful Canadian.
PEOPLE’S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
Dear B.C.
You are so kind to take a few minutes out of your busy day to send us such a thoughtful message. It really means a lot and is what keeps us going.
Joe & Terry
D.S.
I’m admittedly very overweight, but my BP at home runs between 120/70 and 130/80. However, at Dr office it’s usually much higher on the first take but lowers on the second one. Last fall Dr finally told me to talke lasix (have significant problems with most other BP meds he has prescribed). After being on generic lasix for a couple days I developed difficulty passing urine and my left ankle became extremely swollen. I quit taking the stuff and reported the same to the Doc.
A.T.
Diagnosed with CHF and on Medicare, I was given generic Lasix, known as furosemide. Over time, this led to copious amounts of fluid retention in my abdomen and a terminal prognosis. My physical discomfort was only relieved through paracentesis (having the fluid manually drained by the hospital’s radiologist) once every two weeks, along with discontinuing all medication. After six months of this treatment, I no longer retained fluid, followed a strict low-sodium diet, and now I feel fine.
Mark
Before I retired as a pharmacist, the two generic drugs that I received the most complaints about were generic Lasix and generic Ritalin.