This belongs to the group of medicines known as Loop diuretics. Diuretics are often referred to as water tablets.

Lasix is used to treat oedema (water retention) due to heart failure.

If the heart becomes less efficient at pumping blood around the body, fluid leaks out of the blood vessels causing swelling in the tissues of the lungs, feet or ankles. Lasix prevents the build up of fluid by increasing the amount of urine produced by the kidneys.

Lasix can also be used to treat a condition called oliguria. Oliguria is when the body only produces small amounts of urine, often caused by kidney problems.

Lasix is sometimes used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Lasix is available in tablet, oral liquid and injection form.

Lasix is also sometimes known as Frusemide. You may notice the use of either name on the packaging of your medicine.

It is also sometimes known as: Froop; Frusid; Frusol; Lasix. You may notice the use of any of these names on the packaging of your medicine.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Lasix injection contains the active ingredient furosemide, which is a type of drug called a loop diuretic. Furosemide is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as 'water tablets'. They remove excess fluid from the body by increasing the production of urine. Loop diuretics work by causing the kidneys to increase the amount of salts such as potassium and sodium that are filtered out of the blood and into the urine. When these salts are filtered out of the blood by the kidneys, water is also drawn alongside. As diuretics increase the removal of salts from the blood, they also cause more water to be drawn out of the blood and into the urine. Furosemide is used to treat conditions where excess fluid has been retained in the body. For example, in heart failure, the pumping mechanism of the heart is less effective. This can cause fluid to build up in the ankles and the lungs, which makes it difficult to breathe. Furosemide helps the body to remove this excess fluid. Removing fluid from the blood vessels also decreases the pressure within the blood vessels. This makes it easier for a weak heart to pump blood around the body. Furosemide is therefore used to relieve the symptoms of heart failure. Furosemide is also used to remove excess fluid that can accumulate in people with cirrhosis of the liver. This fluid may accumulate in the abdomen or in the legs. At higher doses the amount of water drawn from the blood into the urine is much greater, therefore furosemide is also used when there is reduced production of urine in people with kidney failure. Furosemide is given by injection in emergencies, when a rapid effect is required, and in cases when the drug cannot be taken by mouth.

Treatments

* Removing excess fluid from the body, for example due to conditions affecting the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys.

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Decreased levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium in the blood. * Low blood pressure . * Dizziness. * Headache. * Weakness. * Drowsiness. * Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain. * Increased blood sugar levels. * Increased blood uric acid level which can cause kidney problems and gout. * Dehydration. * Pins and needles sensations. * Hearing problems. * Sensation of ringing or other noise in the ears. * Skin rashes. * Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash. * Decrease in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood.