Furosemide

(fur-oh-se-mide)

Other names for this medication: Disal, Lasix, Salix

Furosemide is a diuretic that helps remove excess fluid from your animal.

•May be given with or without food

•This medication will cause your animal to urinate more often than usual.

•Make sure your animal always has access to fresh water.

•Contact your veterinarian immediately if your animal has difficulty balancing, has a head tilt, has hearing loss, is weak, collapses, or stops urinating.

Description

•Loop diuretic

•Available as oral tablets and liquids

Uses

FDA-approved uses in animals:

•Treatment of excess fluid buildup (edema) in dogs and cats

‐Excess fluid can be caused by many conditions, including heart failure, lung disease, or liver disease.

At the discretion of your veterinarian, this medication may be used in different species or for other reasons (extra-label use), such as:

•Treatment of edema in other species

•Treatment of high calcium levels in dogs

•Treatment of some types of kidney disease in dogs and cats

•Prevention of bladder irritation in dogs that are also receiving cyclophosphamide

Before this medication is given

No medication is 100% safe in all patients. Discuss with your veterinarian:

•Any other medications or supplements your animal is taking

•Any conditions or diseases your animal has now or has had in the past

•Any side effects your animal has had to medications in the past

•The risks of using this medication if your animal is pregnant or nursing

Warnings for animals

Do not use in animals that are:

•Allergic to it or other loop diuretics, such as torsemide or bumetanide

•Not producing any urine (anuria)

•Pregnant

Use with caution in animals:

•With kidney or liver disease

•With diabetes

•That are dehydrated or at risk of dehydration, such as animals that are vomiting or have diarrhea

Certain medications are not allowed in some animal competitions. Check rules and regulations when your animal is taking a medication.

Warnings for humans

•Wash your hands after handling any medication.

•Wear gloves or avoid handling if you are allergic to:

‐Furosemide or other loop diuretics, such as torsemide or bumetanide

‐Sulfa medications

How do I give this medication?

•Give with or without food.

•Make sure your animal always has access to plenty of fresh drinking water.

•Try to avoid giving the last dose of the day within a few hours of bedtime. This can help decrease the likelihood of your animal needing to urinate during the night. Talk with your veterinarian about timing of doses to help avoid nighttime urination.

•Measure liquids using an oral syringe, medicine cup, or dosing spoon. Do not use household measuring devices.

•Your veterinarian may have you adjust the dose of this medication based on your animal’s signs. Contact your veterinary clinic if you have any questions.

Give exactly as your veterinarian has prescribed. Always follow the instructions on the prescription label.

Side effects

Common – contact your veterinarian if any of these signs are severe, continue to occur, or worsen over time:

•Increased thirst and need to urinate. Make sure you allow your animal the chance to urinate more often, especially when first starting this medication or increasing the dose.

•Vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation

This medication can cause electrolyte imbalances. Your veterinarian will monitor for this through routine blood tests.

Severe – stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any of these signs:

•Difficulty balancing or a head tilt

•Hearing loss

•Weakness or collapse

Contact your veterinarian immediately if your animal stops urinating

How will I know it's working?

•Your animal should start feeling better within 30 to 60 minutes. You should see a gradual improvement in your animal’s signs after this.

•Your veterinarian will need to run follow-up tests to see how well this medication is working and to make sure your animal is tolerating it.

Contact your veterinary clinic if your animal’s signs worsen or do not improve.

How long will the medication effects last?

•This medication will stop working within 12 to 24 hours of the last dose.

•It may last longer if your animal has reduced kidney or liver function.

How long do I give it for?

This medication can be given for different lengths of time but is often a lifelong medication. Give it for as long as your veterinarian tells you. Make sure to refill the prescription to avoid interruptions in treatment.

Overdose

Overdose signs may include seizures, collapse, or coma. If you witness or suspect an overdose, call your veterinarian or an animal-specific poison control center (consultation fee applies):

•ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435

•Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661

Have the product or label with you if possible.

Missed dose

In most cases, if you miss a dose:

•Give it when you remember, then return to the regular dosing schedule.

If it is close to the time for the next dose:

•Skip the missed dose.

•Give the next dose at the next scheduled time.

•Continue the regular dosing schedule.

If you are unsure, call your veterinary clinic. Do not double-up or give extra doses.

Storage

•Store in the original container at room temperature.

•Protect from light and moisture.

•Keep out of reach of children and animals.

Disposal

Discard liquids 90 days after opening or as directed on the product label.

Do not flush this medication down the toilet or wash down the sink. Options for disposing of unused or expired medications include:

•Drug take back sites: This is preferred whenever possible. To find a site near you, contact your local law enforcement or waste management authorities.

•Home disposal: Mix the medication in with coffee grounds or kitty litter, seal in a plastic bag, and throw away in the trash.

Do not save leftover medication or give it to others to use.