Furosemide

Question 1

What are the indications for furosemide?

Answer 1

Acute pulmonary oedema

Peripheral oedema, nephrotic syndrome, cirrhosis etc

Question 2

What is the dose of furosemide for acute pulmonary oedema?

Answer 2

10-20mg iv

May need higher doses in renally impaired

Question 3

What is the dose of furosemide for peripheral oedema?

Answer 3

40mg PO

Question 4

Contraindications to furosemide

Answer 4

Hypersensitivity to sulphonamides

Question 5

Side effects of furosemide

Answer 5

Ototoxicity

Electrolyte depletion - hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia, dehydration and AKI

Question 6

Which drugs interact with furosemide?

Answer 6

Aminoglycosides- increased ototoxicity
Lithium- reduced renal clearance
Digoxin- hypokalaemia

Question 7

How is furosemide eliminated?

Answer 7

Excreted in the urine- fast onset short duration

Question 8

How does furosemide work?

Answer 8

Loop diuretic- binds to Na transported on the thick limb/ascending loop of henle

Sodium cannot be pumped into interstitium so stays in tubular lumen, drawing water with it by osmosis.