Patient's Guide to Heart Transplant Surgery

Furosemide (Lasix)

Dosage
Dosage ranges from 20 mg to 80 mg one or two times a day.

Action
The action of the drug may last 2-12 hours after you take it. Plan your activities so that a bathroom is nearby during the drug’s peak hours of action.

Side Effects

• Many diuretics can cause a decrease of potassium in your blood. This happens because the diuretics cause the kidneys to filter the potassium out of the blood and into your urine. Having a low potassium level can cause muscle cramping, muscle weakness, and an irregular pulse rate.
• If the diuretic causes the kidneys to make too much urine, you may become dehydrated, have low blood pressure and dizziness, or have fainting and dry mouth as a result of losing too much fluid.
• With high doses of a diuretic, you may have ringing in your ears or deafness may even occur.

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