Furosemide overdosage can happen if a person takes too much of the drug or takes the larger dose than it was recommended by a doctor. If taken properly the drug will not cause any serious side effects to the patient’s health.

The main signs of overdose with Lasix include:

• Dehydration;
• Blood volume decrease;
• Hypotension;
• Electrolyte imbalance;
• Hypokalemia and hypochloremic alkalosis;
• Other side effects caused by its diuretic action.

The acute toxicity of the drug has been estimated in animals (mice, rats and dogs). In animals the oral lethal dose 50 (LD50) was over 1000 mg/kg of the weight of an animal, the intravenous LD50 varied from 300 to 680 mg/kg.

The intensity of Lasix in biological fluids related to toxicity or death in people is not known.

The overdosage treatment includes the taking of extra fluid and replenishment of electrolyte losses. During the treatment it is necessary to determine serum electrolytes, carbon dioxide level and blood pressure regularly.

Lasix side effects are shown in order of decreasing of their severity.  Side effects from gastrointestinal system include:

• hepatic encephalopathy in patients with certain indications;
• pancreatitis;
• jaundice;
• anorexia;
• increased liver enzymes;
• irritation of the stomach;
• cramping;
• diarrhea, vomiting and nausea;
• constipation.

Lasix may cause hypersensitive reactions such as severe anaphylactis shock, systemic vasculitis, interstitial nephritis and necrotizing angiitis.

The side effects from the central nervous system usually include:

• tinnitus;
• hearing loss;
• paresthesias;
• vertigo;
• dizziness;
• headaches;
• blurred vision, vision changes.

Lasix hematologic effects are rare: aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia, leucopenia, anemia and eosinophilia.

Dermatologic effects occur rarely, they include: exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity, purpura, pruritus, rash, erythema multiforme, toxic epidermal necrolysis, bullous pemphigoid, urticaria and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.

Cardiovascular side effect may occur in case of concomitant use of Lasix with alcohol, barbiturates or narcotic medications.

Other side effects occurring are: hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hyperuricemia, urinary bladder spasm and thrombophlebitis.

If side effects are severe Lasix dosage is reduced by the doctor, if they are intolerable or dangerous the Lasix therapy is withdrawn.

Animal studies of Furosemide in rabbits have demonstrated unforeseen motherly deaths and termination of pregnancy at 2, 4, and 8 times the maximal prescribed human dose. As there are no sufficient and well-regulated clinical researches in pregnant women Lasix should not be administered during pregnancy. The administration in pregnant women is possible only if the benefit overweighs the potential risk to the baby.

If the treatment with Furosemide is started during pregnancy, the situation demands constant control of embryo growth because of the possibility for higher birth weights.

Animal studies of Furosemide effects embryonic maturity and on pregnant mice, rats and rabbits have manifested the negative results of the medication administration causing maternal deaths and miscarriage at the doses of 25 -50 mg/kg (two and four times max allowed human dose of 600 mg per day). In a third investigation a dose of 100 mg/kg led to the death of all pregnant animals.

The results of the animal study proved a great occurrence and severity of hydronephrosis condition in embryos received from the treated animals in comparison with the frequency in embryos from the group of animals receiving no treatment.

Certain laboratory tests are required to be performed while being treated with Lasix. These tests should include serum electrolytes (potassium), CO2, creatinine and BUN (blood urea nitrogen test to measure the amount of nitrogen in the blood in the urea form and estimate the renal function. The tests are to be performed very often during the first few months of the treatment with Lasix and occasionally during further treatment. In some cases when a patient is vomiting plentifully or receiving parenteral fluids it is needed to determine the serum and urine electrolytes. If abnormalities appear the treatment should be altered.

If the test of the blood urea nitrogen shows constant increases in urea in blood it is related to dehydration. Dehydration is a very dangerous condition which should be avoided, especially in patients with renal impairment.

For patients with diabetes receiving Lasix it is important to adjust regular urine and blood sugar tests.

Lasix may lower serum levels of calcium and magnesium so it is important to test periodically serum levels of calcium and magnesium electrolytes.

In children Lasix may launch nephrolithiasis, that is why renal function must be observed and in addition to this it is necessary to perform renal ultrasound testing.

The research of Furosemide effects used studies in rats, stop flow testings in dogs and different clearance studies in both humans and experimental animals. It has been manifested that Furosemide restricts mainly the absorption of sodium and chloride in the proximal, distal tubules and in the loop of Henle.

The high degree of Furosemide efficacy is considerably because of the unique mechanism of action. The action of the medication on the distal tubule is autonomous, free from any blocking effect on carbonic anhydrase and aldosterone.

Recent findings propose that Furosemide glucuronide is one of the major biotransformation compositions of Furosemide in humans. Furosemide is bound to plasma proteins. Plasma concentrations of Furosemide vary from 1 to 400 µg/mL in healthy patients.

The dieresis outbreak is within 1 hour after oral administration. The max therapeutic effect appears between 1-2 hours. The duration of diuretic effect varies from 6 to 8 hours.

In healthy male subjects the mean bioavailability of Furosemide is 64%. Peak plasma concentrations of the drug increase with larger dose administration. The terminal half-life of the drug is about 2 hours.

Furosemide is excreted mainly in urine.

Certain kidney (renal) disorders can cause secondary hypertension. The problems with kidneys cause renal hypertension which is often called secondary high blood pressure. This type of secondary hypertension is usually afflicted by narrowing of the renal artery that provides blood to the kidneys. Renal hypertension in younger patients is caused by a thickening of the muscular wall of the kidney arteries. The cause of renal hypertension in older patients is usually the narrowing of the renal artery which is blocked by atherosclerotic plaques appearing in the human body.

The narrowed or thickened renal artery makes difficult the normal blood circulation to the kidney. This results in the process of hormones production by the kidney. The produced hormones are renin and angiotensin. They and aldosterone produced by the adrenal gland cause an impediment and firmness in the peripheral arteries in the whole body, thus resulting in hypertension.

Young patients with high blood pressure are always supposed to suffer from renal hypertension. Special procedures such as renal isotope (radioactive) imaging, ultrasonographic imaging, or magnetic resonance imaging of the renal arteries help to put the correct diagnosis. The other commonly used method is renal angiography (an X-ray study) which helps to determine if the renal artery is really narrowed.

Any chronic kidney disorder can contribute to the development of the renal hypertension because of hormonal imbalance and salt retaining.

It is vital to examine your kidneys if you have an onset of hypertension or if you are young to prevent kidneys failure.

The blood pressure should be measured regularly for those people who has uncontrolled high blood pressure. Hypertension often has no symptoms and if not treated properly can be very dangerous for human health. Your doctor will teach you how to measure your blood pressure with a special portable device – the blood pressure cuff to estimate pulse and pressure. The blood pressure cuff is composed of an air pump, a pressure gauge, and a rubber cuff. The device measures the blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

It is necessary to use this device correctly to have the right numbers showing the systolic and diastolic pressure. The cuff is placed around the upper arm and blown up with an air pump to a pressure that prevents the blood flow in the main artery going through the arm. The pressure in the cuff is slowly put down and artery is moderately released. The pressure is listened with a stethoscope over the artery at the front of the elbow. The first pulsation from the artery is known as the systolic pressure (the first number); the pressure at which the pulsation eventually stops is the diastolic pressure (the second number). Somebody from your family or a medical professional, a nurse should help you to measure the blood pressure.

Knowing your blood pressure is necessary to start the proper medical treatment and prevent serious conditions such as stroke or heart attack.

High blood pressure (HBP) or hypertension is a cardiac chronic medical health condition which is characterized by high pressure (tension) in the arteries.

The arteries carrying blood from the pumping heart to all the tissues and organs of the body are under increased blood pressure which causes tension and risks to the general health. Normal blood pressure is 120/80; “pre-hypertension” or primary hypertension is between 120/80 and 140/90, the blood pressure above 140/90 is high.

Primary hypertension is a health condition caused by no medical cause, secondary hypertension may be a result of different medical conditions that influence on the kidneys, arteries, heart or endocrine system.

The numbers characterizing blood pressure are the systolic pressure (the first number) and the diastolic pressure (the second number). The systolic blood pressure means the pressure in the arteries, when the heart works to pump the blood, the diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction.

High blood pressure is a serious condition which enlarges the chances of developing heart (cardiac) disease, kidney disease, atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis) eye damage, and stroke. Hypertension should be diagnosed and normalized by proper treatment, this will help to prevent complications and avoid developing life – threatening health conditions. It is necessary to monitor your blood pressure regularly if you suffer from hypertension. Visit your doctor and take the medications he prescribes.

There are several special cases when Lasix therapy should be started with much caution. The risks for patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites are great that is why Lasix treatment is usually held in the hospital.

In hepatic coma and in states of electrolyte depletion,  Lasix therapy is initiated only after the basic disorder is improved. Lasix may alter the amount of liquid in the body and also can change electrolyte balance in patients with cirrhosis. These things may provoke hepatic coma. During the period of dieresis such patients should be examined carefully and observed regularly.  To prevent hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis in such patients, doctors usually administer supplemental potassium chloride and an aldosterone antagonist.

If Lasix treatment leads to increasing azotemia and oliguria (during treatment of severe progressive renal disease) the Lasix therapy is usually stopped.

If other serious conditions occur during Lasix therapy, it is discontinued until these conditions disappear or improve.

Lasix tablets are available in dosage strengths of 20mg, 40mg and 80mg.

Lasix tablets in dosing of 20mg are supplied as white, oval-shaped  pills. They are packed in bottles of 100, 500, and 1000 tablets. Lasix 20 mg tablets are marked with “Lasix®” on one side and “HOECHST” on the other, or simply with “Lasix®” on one side.

Lasix in dosing of 40mg is produced in a form of white, round-shaped, monogrammed tablets. Lasix tablets are packed in bottles of 100,500, 1000, and Unit Dose Packs of 100 tablets. Lasix 40 mg tablets are marked with “Lasix® 40″ on one side and the “HOECHST” on the other, or simply with “Lasix® 40″ on one side.

Tablets  in dosing of 80 mg are produced as white, round-shaped, monogrammed, facetted edge tablets. The tablets are packe in bottles of 50, and 500. The 80 mg tablets are marked the same way as Lasix tablets in dosing of 20 and 40 mg.

The medicine should be kept in well-closed, light-resistant containers, because if exposed to light the tablets get discolored. Taking discolored tablets is not permitted.

The drug should be stored at room temperature, away from children and pets. Store away from heat and moisture.