Description
Furobe (Furosemide) belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics or water tablets. It is used to reduce the swelling (edema) caused by too much water in the body in people who have heart failure, liver or kidney disease. This medicine is also used to treat high blood pressure.
Furobe (Furosemide) helps your body get rid of extra water and salt through urine. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines as per the dose advised by your doctor. It can be taken with or without food and should be taken at the same time each day. It is best to avoid taking this medicine within 4 hours of your bedtime to prevent having to get up at night to urinate.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. If you stop taking it without consulting your doctor, your condition may worsen. Lifestyle changes like reducing stress, restricting salt intake, and stopping smoking may help this medication work better.
Common side effects of this medicine include hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, dehydration, decreased sodium level in blood, decreased potassium level in the blood, and decreased magnesium level in blood. These are usually mild and disappear after a short time. Consult your doctor if they bother you or do not go away.
Before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any liver problems. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should also consult their doctor before taking it. Regular monitoring of kidney function tests and electrolyte levels is important while using this medicine. It may reduce the potassium level in your blood so your doctor may ask you to add potassium-rich foods to your diet (such as bananas, coconut water, etc.) or prescribe supplements.
USES OF FUROBE (FUROSEMIDE)
Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hypertension is a condition in which the blood vessels have persistently raised pressure.
Blood pressure is one of the vital signs of life. It is the pressure exerted by the blood against the walls of your blood vessels. In hypertension, the blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of the vessels. Therefore, it is also called high blood pressure. It is measured in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and expressed as systolic/diastolic blood pressure. ‘Systolic’ is the maximum pressure exerted when your heart contracts to pump blood. ‘Diastolic’ is the minimum pressure exerted when your heart is at rest between contractions.
Some people may have high blood pressure readings when measured at the doctor’s clinic but normal blood pressure readings when measured at home or while performing their routine activities (ambulatory blood pressure). This condition is termed white coat hypertension. In contrast, some people may have normal blood pressure readings when measured at the doctor’s clinic but consistently above normal blood pressure readings when measured at home or while performing their routine activities. This condition is termed masked hypertension.
According to A Global Brief on Hypertension published by the World Health Organization, “Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure equal to or above 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure equal to or above 90 mmHg.”
According to the American Heart Association (AHA) 2017 guidelines, hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure ≥130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥80 mmHg.
Treatment of Edema
Oedema is the medical term used for swelling caused by fluids in the body’s tissues. It usually occurs in the feet, ankles, and legs, but it can involve your entire body.
BENEFITS OF FUROBE (FUROSEMIDE)
In Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Furobe (Furosemide) prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and allows the salt to be removed in your urine instead. It also helps get rid of excess water. This helps to lower your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. When your blood pressure is lower, you are less at risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. You should make appropriate lifestyle changes to help this medicine be effective and you need to take it regularly.
In Treatment of Edema
Furobe (Furosemide) works by increasing the amount of urine produced. This helps your body get rid of extra water thereby relieving symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in your arms, legs, or abdomen. This will help you go about your daily activities more easily and make you more confident about being active. Take it regularly and make appropriate lifestyle changes to help this medicine be effective.
SIDE EFFECTS OF FUROBE (FUROSEMIDE)
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Furobe (Furosemide)
- Dehydration
- Decreased potassium level in blood
- Decreased magnesium level in blood
- Decreased blood pressure
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Decreased sodium level in blood
HOW TO USE FUROBE (FUROSEMIDE)
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Furosemide may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
HOW FUROBE (FUROSEMIDE) WORKS
Furosemide is a diuretic. It removes extra water and certain electrolytes from the body by increasing the amount of urine produced.
SAFETY ADVICE
Alcohol
UNSAFE
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Furosemide
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Furosemide may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breastfeeding
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Furosemide is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Furosemide may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Kidney
SAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Furosemide is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Furosemide is recommended.
However, use of Furosemide is not recommended in severe kidney disease patients who are unable to pass urine or the kidney damage is due to some medicines. Please inform your doctor.
Liver
CAUTION
Furosemide should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Furosemide may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
