Why is the drug "Lasix" necessary? Indications for use of this medication will be listed below. In addition, we will tell you about what contraindications the medication in question has, in what form it is released, what is included in its composition, whether it has side effects and analogues.
Composition and form
Currently, the drug in question can be purchased in the following forms:
- Lasix tablets. Reviews say that they are white, round in shape and at risk in the middle. The active substance of this medication is furosemide. It also includes auxiliary components in the form of lactose, starch, pregelatinized starch, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide and magnesium stearate. The medicine is produced in strips of aluminum foil, which are placed in cardboard packaging.
- Solution for intramuscular or intravenous administration "Lasix" (ampoules). The instruction says that the active element of this form is also furosemide.
Features of the drug
What is the drug "Lasix"? Indications for the use of this medication are described in the attached instructions. It also indicates the mechanism of action of the drug.
Lasix is ​​a fast-acting and fairly strong diuretic that is a derivative of sulfonamide. It blocks the transport system of sodium and chlorine ions in the thick section of the ascending knee of the Henle loop. Thus, the diuretic effect of this drug depends on its entry into the lumen of the renal tubules.
The secondary effects of this medication are an increase in potassium secretion in the distal segments of the renal tubule and the amount of urine excreted.
With a course of treatment, the diuretic activity of the drug does not decrease. In case of heart failure, the Lasix drug quickly reduces preload, as well as pressure in the pulmonary artery and left ventricle.
The medication under consideration has a hypotensive effect, which is due to an increase in sodium excretion, a decrease in the volume of circulating blood and a decrease in the smooth muscle reaction.
Pharmacokinetics of the drug
"Lasix" is a diuretic that is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract. Its bioavailability in different people can be reduced to 30%. This is due to the fact that absolutely any factors, including the underlying disease, can affect it.
The drug binds well to plasma proteins (about 98%). It is excreted unchanged through the kidneys and through the intestines.
It should also be noted that Furosemide penetrates quite well through the placental barrier and is excreted along with breast milk.
The drug "Lasix" (injections): indications for use
What diseases can a medication be prescribed in the form of a solution? According to the instructions, the drug "Lasix" (analogues will be presented below) is used for:
- edematous syndrome with heart failure (chronic);
- cerebral edema;
- edematous syndrome with renal failure (chronic);
- hypertensive crisis;
- acute renal failure, including that observed during burns and pregnancy (to support fluid excretion);
- edematous syndrome with nephrotic syndrome;
- arterial hypertension;
- edematous syndrome with liver diseases;
- as support for forced diuresis in case of poisoning with chemicals that are excreted by the kidneys unchanged.
Lasix tablets: indications for use
Take the drug in tablet form for the same reasons as described above. However, experts argue that the solution for intramuscular or intravenous administration is much more effective.
Contraindications
What conditions of the patient are forbidden to take "Lasix"? Contraindications to the use of this drug are listed in the attached instructions. Consider them right now:
- severe hyponatremia;
- renal failure with anuria;
- digital intoxication;
- hepatic precoma and coma;
- acute glomerulonephritis ;
- severe hypokalemia;
- pregnancy period;
- hypovolemia or dehydration;
- breast-feeding;
- severe violations of the outflow of urine;
- hyperuricemia
- decompensated mitral and aortic stenosis, as well as hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy;
- children's age up to three years (tablet form);
- increased central venous pressure;
- hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
- allergy to furosemide.
General dosages of the drug and its methods of use
How to take "Lasix"? The dosage of this drug depends on the type of disease.
Tablets must be taken whole, on an empty stomach. When prescribing a medication, it should be used in minimum dosages that are sufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect.
The recommended maximum daily dose for adults is 1,500 mg. As for children, it depends on the weight of the patient (2 mg / kg, but not more than 40 mg per day). The duration of therapy is determined by a specialist individually and depends on the indications.
Side effects
Now you know how to take Lasix. Use this medication only as directed by your doctor. This is due to the fact that it has a fairly large number of adverse reactions. Let's consider their list right now.
- headaches, muscle weakness, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias, cramps;
- drowsiness, dyspeptic disorders, weakness, collapse, dry mouth;
- hypomagnesemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis;
- dizziness, decreased glucose tolerance, increased serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol;
- nausea, hematuria, vomiting, excessive decrease in blood pressure, decreased potency;
- diarrhea, hearing impairment, constipation, tinnitus, nephrotic syndrome;
- allergic reactions: interstitial nephritis, pruritus, leukopenia, urticaria, exfoliative dermatitis, bullous skin lesions, fever, polymorphic erythema, eosinophilia, purpura, vasculitis, photosensitivity;
- agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic or aplastic anemia.
Drug interaction
According to the instructions, the drug "Lasix", reviews of which will be presented later, has the following drug interactions:
- "Carbenoxolone", glucocorticosteroids and licorice in large doses, as well as prolonged use of laxatives in combination with furosemide increase the risk of hypokalemia.
- Nephrotoxic drugs increase the risk of a nephrotoxic effect.
- Aminoglycosides with simultaneous use with furosemide increase the risk of developing nephrotoxic and ototoxic effects of the former.
- High dosages of cephalosporins increase the risk of nephrotoxicity.
- NSAIDs, as well as acetylsalicylic acid, reduce the diuretic effect of furosemide.
- “Phenytoin” reduces the diuretic effect of furosemide.
- "Methotrexate" and "Probenitsid" reduce the effects of furosemide.
- When Cyclosporin A is combined with furosemide, the risk of gouty arthritis increases.
Special recommendations for the use of the drug
Before using the drug "Lasix", the indications of which were presented above, it is necessary to exclude the presence of severe violations of the outflow of urine.
During therapy, regular monitoring of serum concentrations of potassium, sodium and creatinine should be carried out.
In the treatment with Lasix it is advisable to consume potassium-rich foods. In some cases, potassium-sparing drugs may be recommended.
Analogues of the drug
Structural analogues of the drug in question (according to the active substance) are such drugs as Furosemide, Furon and Fursemide. Also, the drug “Lasix” can be replaced by “Acripamide”, “Brinaldix”, “Veroshpiron”, “Hypothiazide”, “Diuver”, “Indap”, “Klopamide”, “Lorvas”, “Mannitol”, “Spironol”, “Urakton” and other medicines.
Patient reviews about the drug
Now you know for what purpose the medication "Lasix" is prescribed. Indications for use of this medication have been described above. What do patients say about him? Almost all people taking this medication note its high effectiveness. However, many patients complain of the appearance of a large number of adverse reactions (headaches, nausea, etc.). However, experts argue that when taking the minimum dosages, these phenomena occur extremely rarely.