Furosemide Medication Template (2024)

FAQs

What 7 things should you assess if you are going to give your patient furosemide? ›

Careful monitoring of the patient's clinical condition, daily weight, fluids intake, urine output, electrolytes, i.e., potassium and magnesium, kidney function monitoring with serum creatinine and serum blood urea nitrogen level is vital to monitor the response of furosemide.

medicines used to treat mental health problems, such as amisulpride, lithium, pimozide or risperidone. painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxen. medicines that treat high blood pressure, or those that have a side effect of low blood pressure.

Route/Dosage

PO (Adults): 20–80 mg/day as a single dose initially, may repeat in 6–8 hr; may ↑ dose by 20–40 mg every 6–8 hr until desired response. Maintenance doses may be given once or twice daily (doses up to 2.5 g/day have been used in patients with HF or renal disease).

Furosemide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. you should know that furosemide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking furosemide.

It's usually best to drink normally while you're taking furosemide. A good rule is to drink enough fluid so that you're not thirsty for long periods, and to steadily increase your fluid intake when exercising and during hot weather. Passing pale, clear pee is a good sign that you're drinking enough.

The more common side effects that can occur with furosemide include: nausea or vomiting. diarrhea. constipation.

It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine. Furosemide is also used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries.

Furosemide has been associated with worsening of kidney function in patients treated for volume overload admitted for acute heart failure (104) and even glomerular filtration rate (GFR) responses to furosemide in healthy subjects are variable (5, 13, 14, 31, 42, 51, 71, 91, 100, 102, 115, 120, 121, 133, 147, 158, 169).

Foods Rich in Potassium

Furosemide lowers potassium by increasing urine output. Overeating potassium-rich foods like bananas and oranges on furosemide can worsen this.

When not to give furosemide? ›

Do not take furosemide if you are making very little to no pee. This condition is also called anuria. Very Low Electrolytes. If you have low electrolytes, including low sodium or potassium, furosemide may not be safe to use.

This medicine may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor. This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen, hat, and protective clothing when you are outdoors.

Side effects include: Urinating more often. Too little sodium in the blood. Too little potassium in the blood.

Monitor electrolytes, renal and hepatic function, serum glucose, and uric acid levels before and periodically throughout therapy. Commonly ↓ serum potassium. May cause ↓ serum sodium, calcium, and magnesium concentrations. May also cause ↑ BUN, serum glucose, serum creatinine, and uric acid levels.

Lab Test Considerations: Monitor electrolytes (especially potassium), blood glucose, BUN, serum creatinine, and serum uric acid levels before and periodically throughout course of therapy.

This medicine may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor. This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen, hat, and protective clothing when you are outdoors.

Dosage and strength

Liquid furosemide comes as 20mg, 40mg or 50mg strengths (in every 5ml). The usual dose to treat adults with: high blood pressure is 40mg to 80mg a day. heart failure or oedema is 20mg to 120mg a day.

Patient Teaching & Education

Advise patients to change position slowly as they may experience orthostatic changes. Patients should also report weight gain of more than three pounds in a day to their healthcare provider. Patients should also be encouraged to enjoy potassium-rich foods during loop diuretic drug therapy.