Lasix 40 mg

Description

About brand name of the drug

Lasix 40 mg is a Diuretic formulation. It is used to control. high blood pressure and oedematous conditions. It is highly preferable to consume in the daytime. It is available in the Pack size of 15 tablets within a strip. The drug is manufactured by Sanofi India Ltd. The active pharmaceutical ingredient present in the lasix is furosemide. The drug belongs to the category of high ceiling diuretics. while using this medication frequent monitoring of blood pressure and the levels of electrolytes is necessary.

About the drug

Lasix 40 mg contains furosemide as the active pharmaceutical ingredient which is a high ceiling diuretic affects the kidneys functioning by eliminating the excess amount of water and decreases the water levels inside the body. Hence diuretics are most widely used drugs in hypertension patients and it is a first line therapy in hypertension cases. This medication is available in all the medical stores, retail stores and other online pharmacies. It is available in the form of white tablets in different dosage strengths like 20, 40, and 80 mg.

Other brand equivalents of lasix 40 mg are 

Frusamide 40 mg from Sanofi India Ltd.

Lasipen 40 mg from Intas pharmaceuticals Ltd.

About salt of the drug 

It is an anti-diuretic medication used mainly to relieve the blood pressure and other oedematous conditions. It acts mainly by eliminating excess water as the drug is a high ceiling diuretic this is powerful amongst all the diuretic medications. It is helpful in preventing the inflammation is it acts by reducing or eliminating the excess water levels inside the body.

Medical uses of the drug

Diuretics are mainly used to treat hypertension conditions where in which there is an increase in blood pressure due to fluid overload and the drug acts by decreasing the fluid inside the body.

It is also used to treat congestive heart failure where in which the blood flow to the heart will get decreased.

This medication is useful in removing the water which gets accumulated in the hands, feet which had occurred due to cirrhosis of the liver and other renal disorders.

Working of a drug

Furosemide drug which is present in the formulation acts by blocking certain channels like that of sodium, water and filtered fluid in the tubules of kidney by means of which the urine output or the diuresis will get increased at the profound rate. The drug generally initiates its action within an hour of the administration.

Due to the elimination of excess fluids and electrolytes from the body this medication serves the purpose of hypertension patients and congestive heart failure patients.

Side effects of the drug

The medication is mainly used for the diuresis which is the elimination of excess water of electrolytes by means of which the levels of electrolytes will get decreased in the body some other electrolytes will also get eliminated due to the common carrier mainly potassium and magnesium hence low potassium and magnesium levels in the body Decreased calcium levels is also observed, due to loss of water dehydration problem arise.

Dizziness and lightheadedness occurs with this medication so patient has to get up slowly from sitting or any other resting position. 

weakness, more sensitivity to sunlight, muscle spasm, and skin rashes are the other side effects which are generally seen.

How to use

It is better to go through the provider patient information leaflet once before starting to take furosemide 

Patient should consume the medication by mouth as directed by a physician, can be consumed with or without food usually once or twice a day. It will be much better if you avoid the medication 4 hours before going to bed so as to prevent the urination while waking up. The dose should be taken as directed don’t increase or decrease the directed dosage.

It is better to complete the full course of medication even if you feel well to get a good benefit from it. Most people with blood pressure will not feel sick generally.

Drugs that are known to interact with this medicine

Sucralfate, cholestyramine and colestipol may interact with these medications and decrease the effect of furosemide so the timing of administration should be separated by at least 2 hours so that effect can be reduced.

It is better to keep a list of all the products and other medications so that you can get a better help from the physician regarding the interactions.

Some products like ethacrynic acid and lithium may interact with this drug.

Some of the products like cough and cold medication have certain ingredients which may cause more swelling and worsen the condition.

When to avoid taking the drug

• One should avoid using the drug if the person is known to be allergic to this medication
• When the patient have Anuria condition in which the person is unable to produce the urine. 
• This is not recommended to the people who are using antimanic drugs like lithium.
• This is not at all recommended to the patients who are undergoing dialysis treatment and patients with kidney failure.

Things to avoid when using the drug

Lasix 40 mg is a loop diuretic which is to be consumed with water, do not take larger or smaller amounts than the prescribed one. It is better to take the medication in the daytime to prevent the sleep disturbance.

It is recommended to drink ample amount of water to avoid the profound loss.

The medicine has the risk of dizziness so better to avoid while driving or when doing some important things.

General information and precautions

• should use the medication in only required quantities if used more than the required it may lead to severe effects.
• The medication should not not be used unless recommended by the doctor.

  Precautions:

• Alcohol:The medication is strictly not consumed along with alcohol as the drug have the high risk of dizziness the person. The consumption along with alcohol will worsen the effect and person get fainted.
• Driving: It is recommended to avoid driving and other operation of the heavy machinery due to high risk of dizziness of the drug.
• Pregnant Women: This medicine is not recommended to use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The patient should discuss all the risks and effects due to the usage of this drug to health care practitioner. It will help the doctor to prescribe the better alternative to you.
• Nursing mothers: The consumption of this drug should be avoided in nursing not unless absolutely required. Otherwise it may cross the placenta and reach the baby which will be harmful to the baby, it is better to discuss this with a doctor for a better alternative medicine. 

Storage

The drug should be stored in room temperature at 25 degrees centigrade and the temperature should be maintained in the permitted range of 15-30 centigrade (59-86 farenheit).

The direct contact of sunlight should be avoided and tablets should be packed in light resistant containers exposure to the light may cause the change of color of the tablet, the discolored tablets should not be dispensed.

The medication should not be kept in freezing temperature.

It is better to Keep the medication out of the reach of children.

General FAQs regarding the drug

What happens if there is an overdose of furosemide ?

Ans. Excess dosage of the furosemide cause the headache, dizziness, irregular heartbeat and fainting may also occur. The frequency of urination increases and patient suffers from dehydration. The overdosing may affects differently in different persons.

What is the diet to be followed while taking this medicine?

Ans. If your doctor had prescribed the low sodium diet it is better to consume the potassium rich food like raisins, orange juice, bananas etc as the potassium also get eliminated along with sodium. The dosing instructions and diet instructions should be strictly followed.

Does lasix worsen the kidney functioning?

Ans. Furosemide is generally taken alone or in combination with other medications in order to treat high blood pressure. The usage of the medication may damage the blood vessels of the brain, kidney and heart. so, dosage should be adjusted carefully in order to avoid the loss.