Lasix (Furosemide) - Summary

LASIX SUMMARY

LASIX^® is a diuretic which is an anthranilic acid derivative.

LASIX^® is indicated for the following:

Edema

LASIX is indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. LASIX is particularly useful when an agent with greater diuretic potential is desired.

Hypertension

Oral LASIX may be used in adults for the treatment of hypertension alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents. Hypertensive patients who cannot be adequately controlled with thiazides will probably also not be adequately controlled with LASIX alone.

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LASIX NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Lasix (Furosemide)

Furosemide does not improve renal recovery after hemofiltration for acute renal failure in critically ill patients: A double blind randomized controlled trial. [2009.12.26]
OBJECTIVE:: To study the potential beneficial role of furosemide [generic for Lasix] in resolving renal failure after hemofiltration in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients... CONCLUSION:: Furosemide by continuous infusion in the recovery phase of hemofiltration-dependent acute kidney failure did increase urinary volume and sodium excretion but did not lead to a shorter duration of renal failure or more frequent renal recovery.

Randomised, placebo controlled trial of nebulised furosemide for breathlessness in patients with cancer. [2008.10]
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support a beneficial effect from nebulised furosemide [generic for Lasix] in patients with cancer related breathlessness. Listed on the National Research Register (N0170118249) and the UK Clinical Research Network Portfolio Database (1428).

Furosemide inhalation in dyspnea of mustard gas-exposed patients: a triple-blind randomized study. [2008.07]
Dyspnea is the hallmark symptom of some respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and bronchiolitis and is a major reason for which these patients seek medical attention. We performed a randomized triple-blind controlled crossover clinical trial in which we compared the efficacy of inhaled furosemide [generic for Lasix] (4 ml equal to 40 mg in 10 min) with placebo (4 ml of 0.9% saline solution) in 41 mustard gas-exposed patients...

Mechanisms of dyspnoea relief and improved exercise endurance after furosemide inhalation in COPD. [2008.07]
BACKGROUND: This study examined the effects of inhaled furosemide [generic for Lasix] on the ventilatory and perceptual response to high-intensity constant-load cycle exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... CONCLUSION: Alleviation of exertional dyspnoea after single-dose furosemide inhalation in COPD is multifactorial but improvements in dynamic ventilatory mechanics are contributory in some individuals.

Impact of intravenous furosemide on flow rate characteristics and clinic waiting times. [2008.04]
OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of a single dose of i.v. furosemide [generic for Lasix] on clinic waiting times and urinary flow rate parameters in a group of symptomatic men... CONCLUSION: A single dose of i.v. furosemide dramatically reduces the overall clinic waiting time without inducing statistically significant changes in flow rate parameters. Indeed, none of the patients receiving furosemide voided less than 150 mL. We would thus recommend this practice be considered as an alternative to standard uroflowmetry protocols.

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Clinical Trials Related to Lasix (Furosemide)

Trial Assessing the Effect of Preoperative Furosemide on Intraoperative Blood Pressure [Completed]
The purpose of this study is to determine whether continuing or discontinuing furosemide (a diuretic) on the day of elective noncardiac surgery for those who take furosemide on a chronic basis, causes more intraoperative hypotension (low blood pressure) during surgery. Our hypothesis is that the usual practice of continuing furosemide on the day of surgery would contribute to more hypotension during surgery than discontinuing furosemide.

Discoid Lupus Erythematosus of the Scalp and a Trial of Biologic Therapy With Raptiva [Terminated]
The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Raptiva (efalizumab) in the treatment of discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE). Discoid lupus erythematosus is a chronic disorder, which may lead to permanent and progressive loss of hair. Lupus is a condition of chronic inflammation cause by an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses which occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. The immune system is a complex system within the body that is designed to fight infectious agents, for example, bacteria, and other foreign invaders.

One of the mechanisms that the immune system uses to fight infections is the production of antibodies. Patients with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues within their own body rather than foreign infectious agents. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE).

Raptiva (efalizumab) is a humanized immunoglobulin(a protein extract from blood which fights off infection-sometimes called "antibody"), which targets the immune cells that are activated in inflammation. Raptiva has been approved for use in the management of psoriasis at doses of 1mg/kg, but is not approved for the treatment of DLE.

Bumetanide vs. Furosemide in Heart Failure [Not yet recruiting]
Patients with NYHA FC II-III heart failure will be randomized in a cross-over fashion to 8 weeks of bumetanide vs. furosemide therapy (equipotent dose), to test whether bumetanide therapy has a superior effect on insulin resistance compared to furosemide. Patients will be subject to a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test (FSIGT) with minimal model (MINMOD) analysis to assess insulin resistance and to a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) to assess functional capacity; patient recruitment and retention success, as well as medication adherence, will also be assessed.

Evaluation of Combined Action Between Natrecor and Furosemide on Kidney and Neurohormone Responses in Chronic Heart Failure: A Phase-IV study704.351 / DSS [Completed]
This is a randomized, open-label, three-way crossover design study with 3 treatment groups: TREATMENT A: Furosemide;TREATMENT B: Nesiritide administered IV bolus, followed by an infusion for 6 hours;TREATMENT C: Treatment B for at least 15 minutes, then administration of treatment AAll sequences involving both furosemide and nesiritide had the nesiritide infusion started first, at least 15 minutes before furosemide was administered. Each treatment will be administered according to 1 of 6 sequences to which patients are randomized. Patients will remain in the Clinical Research Unit for 7 days, with treatments administered on Days 2, 4, and 6, with equilibrium (rest) days on Days 1, 3, and 5. All patients will be followed for safety throughout the treatment phase, and by telephone between 7 and 14 days after they are discharged from the Clinical Research Unit.

The Influence of Rosiglitazone on the Diuretic Effect of Furosemide and Amiloride [Active, not recruiting]
Thiazolidinedionederivates (TZD’s) are Peroxisome-Proliferator-Activated-Receptor-γ agonists (PPARγ-agonists) and enhance insulin sensitivity. One of the side effects, however, is the fact that subjects treated with these drugs seem to be more prone to fluid retention. The precise mechanism of rosiglitazone-related fluid retention is unknown, but it is clear that either primary or secondary renal sodium retention is part of the mechanism. Furthermore in observational studies, TZD-related oedema seems to be resistant to loop diuretic therapy. The recent finding that rosiglitazone induces upregulation of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the kidney could be the explanation for TZD-related fluid retention and the observed resistance to loop diuretics. In the present human in-vivo study the following hypothesis will be tested:

Rosiglitazone treatment stimulates the activity of ENaC in the distal nephron, which enhances the natriuretic effect of amiloride and decreases the natriuretic effect of furosemide in parallel.

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LASIX PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Lasix review by 71 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Considerably Effective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Congestive heart failure and edema
Dosage & duration:		20mg at first, later 40 mg, now 20 again taken daily for the period of Been on it for 2 years
Other conditions:		Mitral valve stenosis and prolapse
Other drugs taken:		Toprol XL, Diovan
		Reported Results
Benefits:		When I was first on the 20 mg dosage, there was no apparent benefit. When the dosage was upped to 40 mg, there was dramatic reductio of the edema. Then I had mitral valve surgery and took no Furosemide for a while, but eventually the edema returned and the 20 mg dosage helps some. (see side effects)
Side effects:		I am not aware of any most of the time. However, after my surgery they kept me on 40 mg and I began having dizziness and severe general malaise in the mornings after taking it. (See treatment details.)
Comments:		When I began having the side effects after surgery, the doctor took me off of the Furosemide and the side effect immediately disappeared, and I also had no edema for a few weeks. The doctor then put me back on the 20 mg dosage, which I still take. It seems to help sometimes, but not all of the time.