DRUG OF THE DAY
furosemide
Loop diuretic
Before opening the card, recall one use, one safety check and one counseling point.
Reveal the drug learning card
Names and formulations
- Lasix: oral tablet
Dose timing and frequency depend on the indication and response; verify the prescribed oral strength and schedule.
Common use
Edema associated with heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney disease; also used for hypertension.
Mechanism of action
Inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle, producing potent diuresis.
Important adverse effects and monitoring
- Boxed warning: excessive amounts can cause profound diuresis with water and electrolyte depletion.
- Monitor weight, blood pressure, volume status, kidney function, potassium, sodium, magnesium, and symptoms of dehydration.
- Rapid injection, high doses, severe kidney impairment, or other ototoxic drugs increase ototoxicity risk.
Patient counseling
- Unless otherwise directed, take earlier in the day to reduce nighttime urination and rise slowly if dizzy.
- Follow the care team's plan for daily weights and report rapid weight change, faintness, severe weakness, or reduced urine output.
Interaction to recognize
With: NSAIDs
Why it matters: May blunt diuretic and antihypertensive effects and worsen kidney function in susceptible patients.
Practical response: Avoid unsupervised regular NSAID use and monitor clinical response and kidney function when combined.
Check the original sources
- DailyMed — Lasix (furosemide) tablets labeling
Sections: Clinical Pharmacology; Indications and Usage; Warnings; General; Information for Patients; Laboratory Tests; Drug Interactions. Source checked 2026-09-13.
Selected learning points; verify current labeling for the complete prescribing information.