Indications
Tablet: Frusemide is a diuretic recommended for use in all indications when a prompt and effective diuresis is required. Indications for Frusemide 40 mg include cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic and renal oedema, peripheral edema due to mechanical obstruction or venous insufficiency and hypertension.
Injection: Frusemide is a diuretic recommended for use when a prompt and effective diuresis is required. The intravenous formulation is appropriate for use in emergencies or when oral therapy is precluded. Indications include cardiac, pulmonary, hepatic and renal oedema.
Therapeutic Class
Dosage
Tablet-
Edema:
- Adults: The initial adult dose is 40 mg daily, reduced to 20 mg daily or 40 mg on alternate days. In some patients daily doses of 80 mg or higher (given in divided doses) may be required. The individually determined single dose should then be given once or twice daily (eg, at 8 am and 2 pm). For resistant edema, 80-120 mg daily. In patients with clinically severe edematous states the dose of furosemide may be carefully titrated up to 600 mg/day. When doses exceeding 80 mg/day are given for prolonged periods, careful clinical observation and laboratory monitoring are particularly advisable.
- Neonate: 0.5-2 mg/kg every 12-24 hours (every 24 hours if postmenstrual age under 31 weeks).
- Child 1 month-12 years: 0.5-2 mg/kg 2-3 times daily (every 24 hours if postmenstrual age less than 31 weeks); higher doses may be required in resistant edema; max. 12 mg/kg daily, not to exceed 80 mg daily.
- Child 12-18 years: 20-40 mg daily, increased in resistant edema to 80-120 mg daily.
- Elderly: In the elderly furosemide is generally eliminated more slowly. Dosage should be titrated until the required response is achieved.
Hypertension:
- Adults: The usual initial dose of furosemide for hypertension is 80 mg, usually divided into 40 mg twice a day. Dosage should then be adjusted according to response. If response is not satisfactory, add other antihypertensive agents. Children: The usual dose is 1-3 mg/kg body weight daily up to a maximum dose of 40 mg/day.
- Elderly: In the elderly furosemide is generally eliminated more slowly. Dosage should be titrated until the required response is achieved.
Injection-
Edema:
- Adults: Doses of 20-50 mg intramuscularly or intravenously may be given initially. If larger doses are required, they should be given increasing by 20 mg increments and not given more often than every two hours. If doses greater than 50 mg are required it is recommended that they should be given by slow intravenous infusion. The recommended maximum daily dose of furosemide administration is 1,500 mg.
- Neonate: 0.5-1 mg/kg every 12-24 hours (every 24 hours if postmenstrual age under 31 weeks).
- Child 1 month-12 years: 0.5-1 mg/kg repeated every 8 hours as necessary; maximum 2 mg/kg (max. 40 mg) every 8 hours.
- Child 12-18 years: 20-40 mg repeated every 8 hours as necessary; higher doses may be required in resistant cases.
- Child 1 month-18 years: By continuous intravenous infusion: 0.1-2 mg/kg/hour (following cardiac surgery, initially 100 micrograms/kg/hour, doubled every 2 hours until urine output exceeds 1 mL/kg/hour).
- Elderly: In the elderly furosemide is generally eliminated more slowly. Dosage should be titrated until the required response is achieved.
Hypertension:
- Adults: Doses of 20 to 50 mg intramuscularly or intravenously may be given initially. If larger doses are required, they should be given increasing by 20 mg increments and not given more often than every two hours.
- If doses greater than 50 mg are required it is recommended that they should be given by slow intravenous infusion. The recommended maximum daily dose of furosemide administration is 1,500 mg. Children: Parenteral doses for children range from 0.5-1.5 mg/kg body weight daily up to a maximum total daily dose of 20 mg.
- Elderly: In the elderly furosemide is generally eliminated more slowly. Dosage should be titrated until the required response is achieved.
Administration
Tablet: May be taken with or without food. May be taken with meals to reduce GI discomfort.
Injection: Injection should be administered in children by slow intravenous injection
Interaction
Contraindications
Side Effects
Pregnancy & Lactation
Precautions
Overdose Effects
Symptoms: Dehydration, electrolyte disturbances, hypotension and cardiac toxicity, hypochloremic alkalosis, hypokalaemia, blood volume reduction.
Management: Symptomatic and supportive treatment. Replacement of excessive fluid and electrolyte losses. Ensure adequate drainage in patients with urinary bladder outlet obstruction (e.g. prostatic hypertrophy). Treat hypotension with appropriate IV fluids.