Furosemide

Question 1

How does furosemide work?

Answer 1

Loop diuretic - acts on the thick ascending loop of Henle
Overall effect is to cause water (and Na, K, Cl) to remain in filtrate at ascending loop, which is excreted as urine (does this by blocking cotransporter)

Question 2

What are the indications of furosemide?

Answer 2

Reduces the amount of water in the body so is useful for:

• congestive heart failure
• oedema
• resistant hypertension

Question 3

What are the contraindications of furosemide?

Answer 3

Anuria, hyponatraemia/kalaemia, renal failure, dehydration/hypovolaemia, can also exacerbate gout (by increasing the concentration of uric acid in blood through water loss)

Question 4

Name a drug interaction with furosemide

Answer 4

Aspirin

Question 5

What are some side effects of furosemide?

Answer 5

Dizziness/headache/fatigue, orthostatic hypotension, electrolyte imbalance, nausea, metabolic alkalosis,

Question 6

Name this drug: acts on ascending loop of Henle to cause Na, K, Cl to remain in filtrate, causing water to leave blood through osmosis and out of filtrate into urine

Answer 6

Loop diuretic (furosemide)