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 Furosemide Side Effects
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DRcrumfield
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An Overview of Side Effects of Furosemide 

As with any medicine,  side effects can occur with furosemide (Lasix®). However, not everyone who takes the  medication will have problems. In fact, most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can be easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. 

Furosemide Side Effects to Report 

Some side effects with this drug are potentially serious  and should be reported immediately to  your healthcare provider. 

These include but  are not limited to:

  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting spells 
  • Signs of dehydration or low electrolytes, such as: 
  1. Dry mouth
  2. Thirst
  3. Weakness  
  4. Lethargy
  5. Drowsiness
  6. Restlessness
  7. Muscle pain or muscle cramps 
  8. Low blood pressure (hypotension) 
  9. Decreased urination 
  10. A rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia) 
  11. Nausea or vomiting 
  • Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice) 
  • Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) or hearing problems 
  • High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
  • Signs of an allergic reaction, including: 
  1. An unexplained  rash
  2. Hives  
  3. Itching  
  4. Unexplained swelling 
  5. Wheezing  
  6. Difficulty  breathing or swallowing.
Common Side Effects 

Furosemide has been studied thoroughly in clinical trials, in which the side effects of  a group of people taking the drug are documented and compared to another group not taking the medicine. As a result, it is possible to see what  side effects occur, how often they appear, and how they compare to the group not taking the medicine.
 
In these studies, some of the common furosemide side effects included:
 
  • Constipation  or diarrhea 
  • Vision changes 
  • Headaches  
  • Vertigo (a spinning sensation) 
  • Anemia  
  • Fever  
  • Sensitivity to the sun. 
Final Thoughts 

You  may experience some or none of the side effects explained in this article. Unfortunately, there is no way for your healthcare provider to know beforehand if you will have side effects from  a medicine that you have never tried. 
 
Therefore, make sure
  to let your healthcare provider know if you develop any side effects while taking  the medication. Also, let your healthcare provider know if you develop something that "just does not seem right." While it may not be a side effect of furosemide, your healthcare provider will be able to diagnose  and treat the problem. 

Notes:
Dr. Nelson Crumfield
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EditText of this page (last edited June 12, 2010)

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