Furosemide (Generic)

What is Furosemide?
Furosemide is a diuretic, which is a medication used in many species to remove excess fluid from the body.

Who is it for?
Furosemide is for dogs, cats, and horses.

What are the benefits?

How does Furosemide work?
Furosemide works by increasing the amount of salt and water that the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is then passed out through the urine.

Is there a generic equivalent available?
This is a generic medication.

How is it given?
Furosemide is given orally, with or without food, with plenty of fresh drinking water. It should only be given to the pet for which it was prescribed. Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your veterinarian. Dosage, frequency, and duration of treatment vary with each disease, disease severity, and response to treatment. If you have difficulty giving the medication, contact your veterinarian immediately.

What results can I expect?
Furosemide will not cure a disease, but will help manage the symptoms. Furosemide will start to have an effect within hours of being taken. The effect is short-lived, however, and the drug must consistently be given according to your veterinarian's directions to have the full effect.

What form(s) does it come in?
This medication comes in tablet form.

Please click on "More Information" for possible drug and food interactions with this medication.

Brand Name
Lasix, Salix, or Disal

Pronunciation
fure-OH-se-mide

Common Drug Name
Furosemide

What should I discuss with my veterinarian while considering Furosemide?
Talk to your veterinarian about what tests and exams may be necessary while your pet is taking Furosemide. Also discuss how long the treatment period will be and what type of outcome is expected. You and your veterinarian should talk about any other treatment options that are recommended for your pet, as Furosemide is often used in conjunction with other medications.

Tell your veterinarian if your pet is experiencing any vomiting or diarrhea, has liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or could be pregnant or is nursing.

Notify your veterinarian of any other medications or supplements your pet is taking, and also if your pet has had any reactions to previous medications, especially sulfa drugs.

What should I do if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to the regular schedule. Do not give two doses at once.

What is the most important information I should know?
Monitor your pet carefully for signs of a water or electrolyte imbalance. These would include excessive thirst, decreased amounts of urine, depression, weakness, restlessness, vomiting, diarrhea or a fast heart rate. If you see these signs, contact your veterinarian.

Carefully follow your veterinarian's directions on the correct dosing of this medication.

Who should not take it?
Not for use in animals who are allergic to it or sulfa drugs (furosemide is chemically similar to some sulfa drugs). Furosemide will cause your pet to urinate more often. Your pet may have more "accidents" and need to go outside or use the litter box more.

Use with caution in animals with kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. Do not use in animals with anuria (inability to produce urine), progressive kidney disease, electrolyte imbalances, water loss (dehydration), liver disease, diabetes mellitus, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Use with caution in pregnant or lactating animals (female animals nursing their young).

What side effects may be seen when taking Furosemide?
Animals that eat and drink normally are less likely to experience side effects. Side effects may include dehydration with excessive thirst and increased or decreased urine production; or electrolyte imbalances (e.g., low sodium, potassium, or calcium), often with rapid heart rate, weakness, depression, vomiting, and restlessness. If you see any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Less commonly, you may see an increase in blood sugar level; anemia, resulting in pale gums, tiredness, or weakness; a decrease in white blood cells, making the animal more susceptible to infections; and stomach or intestinal disorders, with vomiting or diarrhea.

In cats, this medication may affect hearing or balance, or cause a tilt of the head. Consult your veterinarian if you notice any of the above side effects.

If your pet experiences an allergic reaction to the medication, signs may include facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma. If you observe any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.

How is it stored?
Store at room temperature in a tight, light-resistant, childproof container. Keep out of reach of children and pets.

What should I do if I know of or suspect there has been an overdose?
Signs may include hearing loss, electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, lethargy, coma, seizures, heart failure/collapse, and kidney damage, with increased thirst and urination. If you know or suspect your pet has had an overdose, or if you observe any of these signs in your pet, contact your veterinarian immediately.

What should I avoid when giving my pet Furosemide?
Consult your veterinarian before using furosemide with any other medications, including vitamins and supplements, corticosteroids (prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone), amphotericin B, insulin, probenecid, sulfinpyrazone, gentamicin, other aminoslycoside antibiotics, digoxin, enalapril, theophylline, or NSAIDs such as aspirin, deracoxib (Deramaxx), etodolac (EtoGesic), meloxicam (Metacam), carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl), firocoxib (Previcox), or tepoxalin (Zubrin), since interactions may occur.

Where is more information available?
Ask your veterinarian, consult with one of our pharmacists at 1-800-447-3021, or see the Patient Information Sheet on this medication.