- Class
- Diuretics
- Body system
- Cardiovascular
- Brand names
- Lasix, Furoscix
What is Furosemide used for?
- Edema from heart failure, cirrhosis or kidney disease
- Acute pulmonary edema
- Hypertension
How Furosemide works
Loop diuretic: blocks sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle, causing strong diuresis.
Common side effects
- Hypokalemia
- Hyponatremia and hypomagnesemia
- Dehydration and orthostatic hypotension
- Hyperglycemia and hyperuricemia
Report right away
- Muscle cramps, weakness or irregular heartbeat (low potassium)
- Ringing in the ears or hearing loss
- Dizziness, extreme thirst, very little urine
Nursing considerations for Furosemide
- Monitor potassium, sodium, magnesium, BUN and creatinine, intake and output, and daily weight.
- Give IV push slowly as directed: rapid high doses can cause ototoxicity.
- Low potassium raises the risk of digoxin toxicity: check the potassium before giving both.
Patient teaching
- Take in the morning (and early afternoon if twice daily) to avoid waking at night to urinate.
- Weigh yourself daily at the same time and report a gain of 2 to 3 lb in a day or 5 lb in a week (or the amount your provider gives you).
- Eat potassium-rich foods (bananas, oranges, potatoes, spinach) unless told otherwise.
This card does not list doses. Use the prescriber's order, the product label and a current drug reference for dosing, and follow your facility's policies.
Diuretics practice questions
NCLEX-style questions on the class Furosemide belongs to.
3 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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A patient takes furosemide and digoxin. Which lab result is most important before giving both?
Show answer
Answer B: Potassium 3.1 mEq/L Hypokalemia from the loop diuretic increases the risk of digoxin toxicity. A potassium of 3.1 is low and should be reported.
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Which diuretic requires the patient to avoid salt substitutes?
Show answer
Answer B: Spironolactone Spironolactone is potassium-sparing. Salt substitutes contain potassium chloride and can cause hyperkalemia.
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What is the most accurate way to evaluate a diuretic's effect on fluid status at home?
Show answer
Answer B: Daily weight at the same time each day Daily weight is the most reliable indicator of fluid gain or loss: 1 kg is about 1 liter of fluid.
Frequently asked questions
What is Furosemide used for?
Edema from heart failure, cirrhosis or kidney disease; Acute pulmonary edema; Hypertension.
What drug class is Furosemide?
Furosemide belongs to the class diuretics. Loop diuretic: blocks sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle, causing strong diuresis.
What are the nursing considerations for Furosemide?
Monitor potassium, sodium, magnesium, BUN and creatinine, intake and output, and daily weight. Give IV push slowly as directed: rapid high doses can cause ototoxicity.
What should patients report while taking Furosemide?
muscle cramps, weakness or irregular heartbeat (low potassium); ringing in the ears or hearing loss; dizziness, extreme thirst, very little urine.