Furosemide

Furosemide is a prominent member of the loop diuretics class, which are potent therapeutic agents primarily utilized for the management of edematous conditions, congestive heart failure, and occasionally hypertension. Notably, clinical manifestations of acute liver injury attributable to loop diuretics are extraordinarily rare, almost to the point of being nonexistent.

Mechanism of Action

Loop diuretics, including Furosemide, exert their diuretic action by inhibiting the sodium-potassium-chloride symporter located within the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle. This inhibition reduces sodium reabsorption, leading to an increased sodium delivery to the distal convoluted tubule. Given that the tubule's capacity to reabsorb this increased sodium is overwhelmed, a rapid excretion of sodium in urine, or sodium diuresis, follows. Although characterized by a shared mechanism of action, loop diuretics are chemically diverse. In terms of potency and duration, they surpass thiazide diuretics, which renders them more suitable for treating edema rather than for prolonged hypertension management. Some shared adverse effects encompass dizziness, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, and dehydration.

FDA Approval

In the realm of loop diuretics, Furosemide boasts the distinction of being the inaugural agent to receive FDA approval in the United States (1966). Its relevance and ubiquity are underscored by over 37 million annual prescription fillings.

Dosage and Administration

Furosemide is commercialized in 20, 40, and 80 mg tablets, both as generic offerings and under the Lasix brand name. Apart from tablet formulations, it is procurable as an oral solution and as a liquid for injection purposes. Typically, adults are prescribed daily doses ranging from 20 to 320 mg, which can be split into one to three segments.

Other Loop Diuretics

• Ethacrynic Acid: Following Furosemide, Ethacrynic acid became the next loop diuretic to gain FDA approval (1967). Though its present-day use has dwindled, it remains accessible in 25 mg tablets and as an intravenous solution, both generically and under the Edecrin brand. The customary adult dose spans between 25 to 100 mg daily, divided into one to three doses.
• Bumetanide: Introduced in the U.S. market in 1983, Bumetanide is a potent loop diuretic mainly prescribed for edema. It can be availed in 0.5, 1, and 2 mg tablets, either generically or branded as Bumex. The standard oral dosage for adults is 0.5 to 2 mg daily, apportioned into two or three doses.
• Torsemide: Gaining U.S. approval in 1993, Torsemide is employed both for edema and hypertension treatment. It comes in 5, 10, 20, and 100 mg tablets, as well as in intravenous solutions, all of which are available generically or under the Demadex brand. Typically, adults are advised to consume 5 to 100 mg daily, either as a single dose or split into two.

• Dailymed label info on Furosemide
• FDA Furosemide

Furosemide Resources
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