Both "Furosemide" and "Lasix" belong to the class of pharmacological preparations with a pronounced diuretic effect. In some conditions, taking this kind of remedy is warranted. In composition, both drugs are identical. The main active ingredient in both cases is furosemide, the concentration of this substance is also the same. And what is better - "Lasix" or "Furosemide"? Given that these drugs differ only in the country of origin, we’ll try to conclude which of these two drugs is best to purchase.
What are diuretics prescribed for?
To begin with, we will understand why diuretics are prescribed, how toxic they are, what form of release is better. As a rule, the need for diuretics is due to the patient having a generalized edematous syndrome. This condition is a symptom of serious diseases of the cardiovascular system, kidneys, lungs.
Take diuretics, such as Lasix and Furosemide, with local edema there is no point. For example, if your ankles or hands are swollen at the end of the day, then you should not take diuretics. Also, there is no point in taking a diuretic for edema accompanying diabetes. The instructions for "Lasix" and "Furosemide" reports that it is simply impossible to suppress puffiness with the use of drugs. The causes of local edema can be very serious - blockade of the lymph nodes, diabetes mellitus, etc. And mindlessly taking a diuretic drug, patients exacerbate their condition and the root cause of swelling is only exacerbated.
What is the principle of action of drugs with a diuretic effect? In the kidneys, after some time from the moment of intake, the process of reabsorption of potassium, sodium and chlorine is inhibited. These electrolytes begin to be intensively removed from the tissues of the patient's body along with a liquid in the form of urine. In the body, blood volume decreases and blood pressure decreases. If you take diuretics in large doses, then a person begins to feel very bad. However, in moderate doses, the use of "Lasix" and "Furosemide" is relatively safe and leads to a decrease in the load on the heart. Diuretics are also used for diseases of the liver, kidneys, eyes (glaucoma).
It is impossible to prescribe a diuretic for yourself. Often patients are interested in a pharmacist: which is better - "Lasix" or Furosemide? In fact, diuretics are not limited to these two drugs - there are also thiazide diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, etc. Only a doctor can prescribe a drug that is safe for a particular patient, who is aware of the course of the disease and the clinical picture of the patient’s condition. Some girls begin to take “Lasix" and "Furosemide" in order to lose weight. Needless to say, such an irresponsible attitude to their own health can avredit yourself? Here are side effects of diuretics. Instructions for "Lasix" and "Furosemide" confirm that these drugs are not as harmless as it may seem at first glance, the inexperienced in pharmaceuticals man.
Composition, form of release and principle of action of drugs
Both drugs have the same form of release - tablets. What is the difference between Lasix and Furosemide? In both drugs, the main active ingredient is furosemide in the same concentration. The difference between the drugs lies in the manufacturer and country of manufacture. Furosemide is produced in Russia or Bulgaria (Sofarma), Lasix is ​​produced in France or India. If we compare both drugs according to the severity of their diuretic effect, then there is no difference.
Both Lasix and Furosemide are referred to as loop diuretics. As a rule, they are prescribed for the fastest and most powerful removal of fluid from body tissues. Despite the fact that both drugs can be purchased at the pharmacy without the need for a prescription from a doctor, self-administration is undesirable. Alas, many women take diuretics to get rid of local edema and excess weight, which is reduced due to dehydration.
"Lasix" and "Furosemide" are medicines from the loop group of diuretics. This means that the point of application of the active substance furosemide is the ascending part of the loop of the Henle nephron of the kidney. Based on this, we can conclude about the pharmacological action of both drugs:
- acceleration and increased blood flow in the tissues of the kidneys;
- removal of water molecules from body tissues;
- increased urination leads to leaching of ions of some vital substances, which can provoke the development of life-threatening conditions (in particular, the functioning of the cardiovascular system may be affected).
Indications for the use of "Lasix"
The instructions for Lasix and Furosemide are almost identical, since both drugs act due to the presence of the same active substance in the composition. Indications for the use of "Lasix":
- edema, the cause of which is the pathology of the kidneys and bladder, including nephrotic syndrome;
- edema provoked by cirrhotic liver disease;
- hypertensive crisis;
- severe hypertension;
- cerebral edema;
- hypercalcemia;
- eclampsia.
The exact dosage of the drug is prescribed by the attending physician after he clarifies the clinical picture of the patient's condition. The instructions indicate only approximate dosages. Depending on the patient’s height, weight and age, these dosages may be increased or decreased at the discretion of the attending physician.
Indications for use "Furosemide"
So, we figured out what the Lasix tablets are from. "Furosemide" has exactly the same indications for use, as reflected in the instructions. True, the instruction for "Furosemide" is supplemented with information that the drug should also be used for intoxication with chemicals. The purpose of taking the drug in this case is to achieve forced diuresis and increase the rate of excretion of toxic substances in the urine.
With high blood pressure that occurs in patients with chronic renal failure, it is advisable to use Furosemide if the patient is unable to take thiazide diuretics for one reason or another.
The feasibility of taking diuretics for weight loss
You can find a lot of reviews about "Lasix" and "Furosemide", promising quick weight loss. Is this true and is it really possible to get rid of extra pounds without harming one's own health? Of course, such reviews are partly based on the truth. Taking a pill of a diuretic drug and after three hours getting up on the scales, it can be noted that a kilogram or two really evaporated. But this does not mean that taking another pill, a person will lose another kilogram. The fact is that such a "miraculous" effect is achieved due to dehydration of the body, which in itself is a rather dangerous condition.
Is it possible to lose weight by taking Furosemide? Yes and no. After taking even one tablet, the weight really decreases by one, and sometimes even two kilograms. But body fat does not burn. So if the goal is to get rid of the fat rollers on the stomach or elsewhere in the body, then taking diuretics for this purpose is simply stupid. In addition, the very next morning, the exhausted organism will restore water balance, and it is highly probable that there will be a reserve. And the numbers on the scales will become the same, and often even higher than before taking a diuretic pill.
Reviews about "Furosemide" and "Lasix" for weight loss are different. As a rule, at first the girls are happy even with a slight weight loss. However, everyone realizes very quickly that the next day, the lost weight returns. After taking diuretics, many feel weak, blood pressure changes and working capacity decreases, an unpleasant odor starts to come from the body.
What are the side effects and consequences of girls taking a diuretic for weight loss? The main side effect is a violation of a healthy electrolyte balance. The normal acidity of the urine shifts, as a result of which acidosis can develop. This causes a violation of the outflow of fluid from the body, an unpleasant odor resembling acetone begins to emit from the skin. At the same time, the person himself may not feel this smell.
Contraindications
Loop diuretics have a relatively large number of contraindications:
- individual intolerance to furosemide;
- acute renal failure, provided that the GFR is below 5 ml per minute;
- diseases accompanied by anuria;
- urethral stenosis;
- hyperglycemic conditions;
- hepatic or hyperglycemic coma;
- decompensated stenosis of the mitral valve or aortic orifice;
- gout at any stage;
- ureteral obstruction with stone, sand or any other calculus;
- myocardial infarction;
- lupus erythematosus;
- violation of the electrolyte balance of any etiology;
- chronic alcoholism, a condition of a hangover syndrome;
- acute pancreatitis (depending on the course of chronic pancreatitis, the use of loop diuretics may also be prohibited);
- hypocalcemia, hypochloremia and other disorders of salt metabolism;
- a state of intoxication provoked by the use of cardiac glycosides.
Relative contraindications to the use of loop diuretics:
- diabetes;
- benign prostatic hyperplasia;
- hypotension and circulatory failure, which can provoke ischemia;
- hypoproteinemia;
- cirrhotic disease complicated by ascites.
Possible side effects of diuretics
Since "Furosemide" and "Lasix" are the same thing, and the difference between these drugs, as mentioned earlier, is only at the place of production, the side effects when using these loop diuretics will be the same:
- impaired functioning of the nervous system, in particular severe dizziness, headache, decreased performance, muscle weakness;
- temporary disruption of the functioning of the vestibular apparatus;
- apathy, tetany, adynamia, confusion;
- dry mouth, severe thirst;
- constipation, indigestion;
- oliguria, hematuria, impotence and other disorders of the urogenital tract;
- urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, vasculitis, eczema multiforme;
- fever, chills, fever;
- leukopenia, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia;
- violations of water-salt metabolism, dehydration and an increased risk of thrombosis;
- change indicators in laboratory tests.
Signs and effects of dehydration
The most obvious and dangerous consequence of taking loop diuretics is a violation of the water-salt balance, as a result of which the tissues and organs of the body suffer from dehydration. This is a rather dangerous condition, which, if predisposed, can lead to the development of serious diseases.
You can understand that you are dehydrated by the following symptoms:
- severe weakness;
- dizziness;
- desire to lie down, muscle weakness;
- headache;
- heart rate increase;
- jumps in blood pressure.
Drug Interactions with Other Drugs
With the simultaneous administration of Furosemide and Lasix with ethacrylic acid, aminoglycosides, cisplatin, the concentration in the blood of the latter increases.
With simultaneous administration with "Theophylline" and "Dazoxide", their pharmacological effect is enhanced. It should be noted that taking loop diuretics reduces the rate of renal excretion of lithium, so that the risk of intoxication increases.
Receiving loop diuretics enhances neural blockade, provoked by the use of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants. Significantly reduces the effect of non-depolarizing relaxants.
The simultaneous use of loop diuretics with cardiac glycosides is fraught with the development of toxic effects due to a decrease in potassium in the blood.
"Lasix" and "Furosemide": what is the difference?
The only difference is that these two drugs are produced by different plants. The composition, concentration of the active substance, the form of release, indications and contraindications for admission - all these characteristics coincide with "Lasix" and "Furosemide".
The difference is only in the manufacturer and the country that produces the drug. Furosemide is produced by the Sopharma plant in Russia or Bulgaria, Lasix is ​​produced in France or India.
Which drug to choose if the composition is the same?
So all the same, what is better - "Lasix" or "Furosemide" Patient reviews indicate that you should not intentionally give preference to one of the drugs. In addition, most doctors prescribe Furosemide, as it is always available at any pharmacy and is cheaper. The cost of Lazix is ​​also low and fluctuates around one hundred rubles, but Furosemide is still cheaper (about 70 rubles per package).
Since the main characteristics and the principle of action of both drugs are the same, it makes no sense to intentionally look for a specific one. If there is no "Furosemide" in the pharmacy, buy "Lasix" and vice versa. Self-administration can result in a lot of side effects. In addition, many patients acquire diuretics for weight loss, which leads to unpleasant consequences for the state of the whole organism as a whole. It is optimal to take loop diuretics only after the appointment of a doctor and at the dosage that he recommended. Otherwise, there is a great risk of colliding with side effects in all their manifestations.