Furosemide

LASIX

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Pronunciation: fyoor-OE-se-mide

Furosemide ballicule: receptor binding, kinetics and half-life diagram — Mechanism of action: Furosemide ballicule

Furosemide LASIX mascot mnemonic cartoon — Visual mnemonic: Furosemide mascot
**“Furries see my Laces”**
Roller coaster → loop diuretic
Bananas dispersing → ↓ serum potassium

What it isLoop diuretic blocking the NKCC2 cotransporter; volume overload in heart failure, kidney disease and cirrhosis.

Why this oneRapid IV action makes it the workhorse for acute pulmonary edema, but oral absorption is less predictable than torsemide.

What limits itVolume depletion, hypokalemia, hyponatremia and hypomagnesemia require weight, renal-function and electrolyte follow-up.

Furosemide molecular structure (skeletal formula) — Molecular structure: Furosemide

FDA-approved for

edema (1966)
hypertension (~1966)

FDA label

Read the full label on DailyMed ↗

FDA dosing	Population	Start	Target	Max
Edema	Adults	20–80 mg QD	individualized, QD–BID	600 mg/day (severe edema)
Edema	Pediatric	2 mg/kg QD		6 mg/kg
Hypertension	Adults	40 mg BID (80 mg/day)	adjust to response

Titration May increase by 20–40 mg no sooner than 6–8 h after the previous dose until desired effect (edema)

Renal Undefined

Hepatic Initiate in hospital in cirrhosis with ascites; sudden fluid/electrolyte shifts may precipitate hepatic coma

Edema may be mobilized by dosing 2–4 consecutive days/week

Instructions

Discontinue if increasing azotemia/oliguria occurs in severe progressive renal disease

Available strengths

tab 20, 40, 80 mg
sol 40 mg/5 mL
sol 10 mg/mL
inj 10 mg/mL

Contraindications

Anuria

Cautions

Ototoxicity (tinnitus, reversible/irreversible hearing loss) — risk with rapid injection, renal impairment, high doses, aminoglycosides/other ototoxics
Fluid/electrolyte depletion
Hepatic coma risk in cirrhosis

Adverse reactions

Hepatic encephalopathy (in hepatocellular insufficiency)
Pancreatitis
Jaundice
Anaphylactoid reactions
Interstitial nephritis
Tinnitus/hearing loss
Blood dyscrasias (aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenia, agranulocytosis)
Severe skin reactions (TEN, SJS)
Orthostatic hypotension
Hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia

Pregnancy Undefined

Lactation Undefined

Cost

Furosemide (LASIX)

What pharmacies pay · NADAC 9/30/26

Strength		#/mo	generic $	CostPlus
20 mg	tab	30 qd	$0.78/mo	offered
40 mg	tab	30 qd	$0.87/mo	offered
80 mg	tab	30 qd	$1.49/mo	offered
40 mg/5 mL	sol	per unit	$0.09/mL	not offered
10 mg/mL	sol	per unit	$0.09/mL	offered
10 mg/mL	inj	per unit	$0.38/mL	not offered

Generic entry1985

NO BOXED WARNINGS

Principal riskVolume depletion with hypokalemia and hyponatremia

Classes and tags

Clinical profile

Therapeutic safety burden2 / 4

Overdose danger3 / 4

Weight-gain liability0 / 4

Sedation liability0 / 4

QT / Torsades0 / 4

Direct muscarinic antagonism0 / 4

Embryofetal risk2 / 4

Legacy pregnancy categoryC

Defining liabilityVolume depletion, electrolyte loss, kidney injury and ototoxicity at high exposure.

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Memory aids: interaction avatars

Box: minimal PK interactions

Open Furosemide in the interactive console ↗