FUROSEMIDE 40 MG TABLETS - patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

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Package leaflet: Information for the user

Furosemide 20mg Tablets

Furosemide 40mg Tablets

(furosemide)

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

• – Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

• – If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.

• – This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

• – If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

• 1. What Furosemide Tablets are and what are they used for

• 2. What you need to know before you take Furosemide Tablets

• 3. How to take Furosemide Tablets

• 4. Possible side effects

• 5. How to store Furosemide Tablets

• 6. Contents of the pack and other information

• 1. WHAT FUROSEMIDE TABLETS ARE AND WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR

Furosemide Tablets contain furosemide as the active ingredient. This belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics (also called water tablets). Furosemide Tablets are used to treat oedema (fluid retention) caused by heart failure, mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure) and certain liver and kidney disorders. They are also used to manage a condition called oliguria where the body produces an abnormally small amount of urine, due to kidney disease

2. what you need to know before you take furosemide tablets

Do not take Furosemide Tablets if you:

• Are allergic to furosemide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6). Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of the lips, face, throat or tongue.
• Are allergic to amiloride, sulfonamides or sulphonamide derivatives, such as sulfadiazine or cotrimoxazole
• Have a low blood volume or are dehydrated (with or without accompanying low blood pressure)
• Have too little potassium or sodium in your blood (shown in blood test)
• Have severe liver problems (cirrhosis)
• Have already taken Furosemide in the past to treat failure to pass urine or kidney failure or if you have kidney failure that is due to medicines or chemicals that is prone to cause kidney or liver damage or you have kidney failure due to underlying liver disorders
• Are not passing any water (urine) or have been told by doctor that you have kidney failure. In some type of kidney failure, it is still okay to have this medicine. Your doctor will be able to decide.
• Have an illness called ‚Addison's Di­sease‘. This can make you feel tired and weak or if you are taking digoxin, used to treat heart problems
• Have digitalis poisoning (feeling or being sick, high levels of potassium in the blood, slow, fast or irregular heart beats)
• Take potassium supplements or potassium sparing diuretics for high blood pressure (e.g. Amiloride or Spironolactone)
• Have a disease called porphyria characterised by abdominal pain, vomiting or muscle weakness
• Are breast-feeding
• Are planning to undergo a procedure that includes the use of radiocontrast (as taking furosemide with this may increase the risk for kidney damage)

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Furosemide Tablets if you:

• Are an elderly patient
• Are on other medicines which can cause a drop in blood pressure
• Have other medical conditions that are risks for a drop in blood pressure
• Have low blood pressure or feel dizzy when you stand up
• Feel dizzy or dehydrated. This can happen if you have lost a lot of water through being sick, having diarrhoea or passing water very often. It can also happen ifyou are having trouble drinking or eating
• Have low blood levels of essential minerals like sodium or potassium or you have acid base imbalance in the body identified by blood tests
• Are taking digoxin, used to treat heart problems
• Are taking any other water tablets
• Are going to have a glucose test
• Are going to give this to a baby that was born too early
• Have difficulty in passing water, for example because of an enlarged prostate gland (males only)
• Have diabetes
• Have gout (characterised by painful joints due to elevated uric acid levels)
• Have kidney or liver problems
• Have adrenal disease
• Have low blood protein levels as this may reduce the effect of the drug and increase the ear damage
• Have raised levels of calcium in the blood; careful monitoring of fluids and electrolyte levels are recommended
• Have a risk of fall in blood pressure; or in case of premature infants as they may be more prone to development of kidney stones
• Are already on medicines like NSAIDs (used for inflammation and pain) or ACE inhibitors (medicines used to lower blood pressure)
• Are an elderly patient with dementia and are also taking risperidone
• Laboratory monitoring: it is recommended to undergo regular monitoring of blood levels for sodium, potassium, kidney function tests (blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels), glucose, magnesium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate and uric acid.
• Regular monitoring is required to check for occurrence of blood dyscrasias (abnormal or imbalance in blood components), liver damage or any symptom that may occur particularly to you.

Your doctor will want to monitor you, and may take blood for testing while you are taking this medicine.

Other medicines and Furosemide Tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines.

Do not take this medicine and tell your doctor, if you are taking:

• Medicines which change the amount of potassium in your blood. These include potassium supplements such as potassium chloride or certain water tablets (diuretics) such as triamterene or potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride or spironolactone. A large number of drugs can interact with furosemide which can significantly alter their effects. These drugs include:
• Medicines such as ramipril, enalapril, perindopril (called ‚ACE inhibitors‘) or losartan, candesartan, irbesartan (called ‚angiotensin II receptor antagonists‘) or any renin inhibitors such as aliskiren. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your tablets or ask you to stop taking them.
• Medicines for high blood pressure or heart problems (uneven heart beat) such a calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, clonidine, moxonidine, sodium nitroprusside, amiodarone, disopyramide, flecainide, minoxidil, llidocaine, prazosin, diazoxide, methyldopa, sotalol, tocainide and mexilitine
• Digoxin used to treat heart failure. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medicine.
• Thymoxamine or Hydralazine used to lower blood pressure
• Metolazone – medicines used to pass more urine
• Nitrates – used to lower blood pressure
• Lithium – used for mental illness
• Sucralfate – this drug may decrease the absorption of furosemide
• NSAIDs – drugs used to treat pain and inflammation (e.g.Indomethacin, Ketorolac)
• salicylates (e.g. aspirin)
• Antibiotics belonging to class of aminoglycosides, polymixins or vancomycin; as there may be a risk of ear or kidney damage
• Medicines used to treat depression (e.g. TCA or MAOIs)
• Medicines used to treat epilepsy (Carbamazepine, Phenytoin)
• Anti-histamines (medicines used to treat allergies)
• Anti-fungals (risk of potassium loss or renal damage indicated with furosemide
• Chloral hydrate or Triclorfos (drugs used to treat anxiety)
• Drugs used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) like amphetamines
• Steroids (used to treat inflammation) and any corticosteroids
• Liquorice; increased risk of loss of potassium with furosemide
• Cisplatin – used to treat cancers (increased risk of kidney damage with furosemide
• Methotrexate – increased chance of furosemide toxicity
• Levodopa – used to treat Parkinson's disease (increased risk of lowering of blood pressure with furosemide)
• Medicines that modify immune system – (e.g. Aldesleukin, tacrolimus or ciclosporin)
• Medicines used as muscle relaxants like baclofen, tizanidine or curare like
• drugs
• Birth control Pills or oestrogen containing drugs may block the effect of furosemide if taken concurrently
• Progesterone containing drugs (drosperidone) may lead to increased blood potassium levels if taken with furosemide
• Medicines such as alprostadil, used to treat erectile dysfunction (impotency)
• Theophylline used for wheezing or difficulty in breathing
• Probenecid used for treatment of gout
• Medicines used as general anaesthetics
• Laxatives – drugs used to relive constipation
• Aminoglutethimide used to treat breast cancer
• Medicines for diabetes. Theses may not work as well when you are taking Furosemide Tablets
• Medicines used for mental problems called ‚psychoses‘, such as risperidone, amisulpride, sertindole, pimozide, phenothiiazines and chlorpromazine. Avoid using pimozide at the same time as furosemide
• Medicines for asthma when given in high doses such as salbutamol, terbualine sulphate, salmeterol, formoterol or bambuterol
• Other water tablets (diuretics) such as bendroflumethi­azide. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medicine
• Medicines used as injections before x-ray examinations (radiocontras­t agent)
• Carbenoxolone – used to treat ulceration and inflammation

Furosemide tablets with food, drink and alcohol

Avoid alcohol when taking Furosemide Tablets as it may lead to excessive lowering of blood pressure.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Pregnancy

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine. Furosemide passes through the placenta and hence should not be given during pregnancy unless your doctor feels it is extremely necessary. If it is given in cases of swelling or water retention, the growth of the baby must be regularly monitored.

Breast-feeding

Furosemide passes into the milk and may inhibit secretion of milk. Hence it should be avoided in breast-feeding women.

Driving and using machines

Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel less alert, dizzy or have blurred vision after taking Furosemide Tablets

Furosemide Tablets Contains Lactose – if you know you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Furosemide contains sodium

This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially ‘sodium-free’.

3. how to take furosemide tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

For Oral Use Only.

Furosemide Tablets should be swallowed with a drink of water.

The recommended dose:

Adults: The usual initial dose is 40mg a day, reduced to 20mg daily or 40mg on alternate days. If you suffer from long term kidney trouble, your doctor may prescribe a starting dose of 250mg per day which may be increased by 250mg every 4 to 6 hours, up to a maximum dose of 1,500 mg per day.

Elderly: Furosemide is generally cleared from the body more slowly in the elderly. If you are elderly, your doctor may decide to start with a low dose and increase the dose gradually according to your response.

Use in children: The dose is worked out according to the child’s weight. A dose of 1 – 3mg for each kilogram of the child’s body weight should be given daily. Do not exceed 40mg per day.

If you take more Furosemide Tablets than you should

This medicine is to be taken at regular intervals, as determined by the physician. If you take too many tablets by mistake contact your nearest hospital casualty department or tell your doctor immediately. Take your tablet pack with you.

Taking too many Furosemide Tablets may make you feel confused, unable to focus, show a lack of emotion or interest in anything. You may also have dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting (due to low blood pressure), uneven heartbeat, muscle weakness or cramps and blood clots (signs include pain and swelling at the part of body that is affected). You may also have problems with your kidneys or blood.

If you forget to take Furosemide Tablets

If you have forgotten to take a dose, leave out that dose completely. Take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose. If you have trouble remembering to take you tablets, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

If you stop taking Furosemide Tablets

Keep taking Furosemide Tablets until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not stop taking Furosemide Tablets just because you feel better.

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

4. possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. If you have any of the following side effects while taking your medicine tell your doctor immediately or go to hospital straight away:

• Allergic reactions such as itching, skin rash with severe itching and nettle rash, fever, allergic to light, severe allergic reaction with (high) fever, red patches on the skin, joint pain and/or inflammation of the eyes, „acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP)“ (acute febrile drug eruption) characterized by severe acute (allergic) reaction accompanied by fever and blisters on the skin/peeling skin and tiny spots from bleeding in the skin
• Sudden inflammation of the pancreas accompanied by severe pain in the upper abdomen, shifting towards the back
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers. This could be a sign of low blood counts, agranulocytosis
• Signs of kidney inflammation e.g. pain in sides, blood in urine.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following side effects: Uncommon: may affect up to 1 in 100 people

• Blurred vision
• Lowering of blood pressure, resulting in impaired concentration and reactions, lightheadedness
• A feeling of pressure in the head, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, a feeling of weakness, visual disturbances, dry mouth and an inability to stand upright, sensitivity to light (photosensitivity)
• Feeling of tiredness
• Dry mouth, thirst, disturbances of bowel like diarrhoea, constipation or vomiting
• Raised blood levels of creatinine and urea
• Deafness (sometimes irreversible)
• Irregular heart rate.

Rare: may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people

• Abnormal blood count (white blood cell deficiency) accompanied by an increased susceptibility to infection
• Increase in certain substances (eosinophilic cells) in the blood
• A crawling sensation on the skin, itching or tingling without any reason
• A life-threatening form of unconsciousness
• Acute kidney failure
• Hearing disorders and ringing in the ears.

These disorders are usually temporary in nature

• Inflammation of a blood vessel
• Shock (severe drop in blood pressure, extreme paleness, restlessness, weak fast pulse, clammy skin, impaired consciousness) as a result of a sudden severe dilation of the blood vessels due to allergy to certain substances
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Inability to control urination
• Increased urine production may occur or worsen if you have a urinary tract infection
• If you have a bladder disorder, enlarged prostate or narrowing of the ureters, urine production can stop suddenly
• Minor mental disturbances.

Very rare: may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people

• Anaemia (a condition characterised by shortage of red blood cells)
• Very severe blood abnormality (white blood cell deficiency) accompanied by a sudden high fever, severe throat pain and ulcers in the mouth.
• Certain liver function disorders or increase in certain liver enzymes
• Furosemide can cause an excessive depletion of bodily fluids (e.g. passing urine more often than normal) and minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium). Symptoms that can occur are thirst, headache, confusion, muscle cramps, increased irritability of the muscles, muscular weekness, heart rhythm disturbances and gastrointestinal problems such as sensation of unease and discomfort in the stomach with an urge to vomit, or diarrhoea
• Metabolic acidosis characterized by chest pain, irregular heart beat, headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, altered appetite and weight gain, muscle weakness, bone pain and joint pain
• If you have a shortage of sodium (sodium deficiency):
• cramp in the calf muscles
• loss of appetite
• listlessness
• feeling of weakness
• dizziness
• drowsiness
• confusion
• If you have a shortage of potassium (potassium deficiency):
• muscular weakness and inability to contract one or more muscles (paralysis)
• increased excretion of urine
• heart problems
• In the case of severe potassium deficiency:
• interference with the function of the intestine or confusion, which can result in coma
• If you have a shortage of magnesium and calcium (magnesium and calcium deficiency):
• increased irritability of the muscles
• heart rhythm disturbance
• During treatment with furosemide, the blood levels of some fats (cholesterol and triglyceride) may rise, but usually return to normal within 6 months
• In the elderly, this can lead to a low blood volume, fluid depletion and thickening of the blood. This can cause clots to form in the blood
• Dizziness, fainting and loss of consciousness (caused by symptomatic hypotension).
• Increased risk or persistence of patent ductus arteriosus in premature infants
• Kidney stones in premature babies.

5. how to store furosemide tablets

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not store above 25°C.

Store in the original package/container and keep tightly closed.

This medicine should not be used after the expiry date printed on the pack.

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. contents of the pack and other information

What Furosemide Tablets contain

The active substance is furosemide, 20mg or 40mg.

The other ingredients are lactose, magnesium stearate (E572), sodium starch glycollate maize starch and starch paste 15% (see Section 2 ‚Important information about some of the ingredients of Furosemide Tablets‘).

What Furosemide Tablets look like and contents of the pack

20mg tablets – white circular flat bevelled edged tablet with ‚F scoreline 20‘ embossed on one face and plain on the reverse.

40mg tablets – white circular flat bevelled edged tablet with ‚F scoreline 40‘ embossed on one face and plain on the reverse.

Pack sizes (not all may be marketed):

20mg – 28, 56, 100, 250, 500, 1000 tablets.

40mg – 28, 56, 100, 250, 500, 504, 1000, 1008 tablets.

Marketing Authorisation Holder

Milpharm Limited

Ares, Odyssey Business Park

West End Road

South Ruislip, HA4 6QD

United Kingdom

Manufacturer

Milpharm Limited

Ares, Odyssey Business Park

West End Road

South Ruislip, HA4 6QD

United Kingdom

This leaflet was last revised in 09/2021.