PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

Furosemide Tablets 20mg

• Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to take your medicine.
• It tells you some of the more important things you should know.
• If you want to know more, or you are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

WHAT'S IN YOUR MEDICINE

The active ingredient in this medicine is furosemide. This is the new name for Frusemide. The ingredient itself has not changed.

Furosemide Tablets BP 20mg are white, uncoated tablets which contain 20mg of Furosemide.

They also contain: lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, stearic acid.

Furosemide Tablets are available in a pack size of 28.

Furosemide is one of a group of medicines called loop diuretics.

ABOUT YOUR MEDICINE

The name of your medicine is Furosemide Tablets which is the generic (common) name. Your doctor may have given you this medicine before from another company and it may have looked slightly different. Either brand will have the same effect.

Furosemide Tablets may be used for:

• the treatment of water retention caused by heart failure and certain kidney, liver and lung disorders.
• the treatment of water retention caused by mild to moderate high blood pressure.

BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

Make sure you have told your doctor if you:

• are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breast feeding.
• are sensitive to any ingredients in the product or sulphonamides.
• are diabetic.
• have gout, or have had gout before.
• have low blood pressure.
• have long-term heart, kidney or liver disease.
• have any disorder of body chemicals (this may make you feel weak, apathetic or have muscle spasms).
• inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).
• have prostate trouble or difficulty passing water.
• are taking other medicines such as ACE inhibitors (e.g. captopril or enalapril), antibiotics (e.g cephaloridine), curariform muscle relaxants (e.g. vecuronium), glucocorticoids (e.g. hydrocortisone or prednisolone), heart tablets (cardiac glycosides eg digoxin), insulin, laxatives, lithium, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs - e.g ibuprofen), salicylates (including aspirin), tablets for blood pressure (e.g. nifedipine, atenolol or methyldopa), theophylline, and including any that you can buy without any prescription.

Furosemide may make you feel less alert. Make sure you are not affected before you drive a car or operate machinery.

If you see another doctor or go into hospital, let them know what medicines you are taking.

 

TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

Your doctor has decided the dose which is best for you. Always follow your doctor’s instructions exactly, and those on the pharmacy label. If you do not understand anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

The usual dosage(s) are described below:

• Adults and children over 12 years:
• Water retention: Initially 40mg daily in the morning; then 20mg daily or 40mg on alternate days. Up to 80mg daily may be given.
• High blood pressure: 20-40mg twice daily
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• Children under 12 years: From 1-3mg/kg body weight.
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• Elderly: Dosage may be reduced in this age group.

These tablets should be taken as instructed swallowed with a glass of water. Continue to take them for as long as your doctor tells you to, it may be dangerous to stop without their advice.

If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember and then your next dose at the usual time. NEVER take two doses at the same time.

If you are elderly, it is particularly important to take this medicine exactly as directed by the doctor.

If you accidentally take more than your prescribed dose, contact your nearest hospital casualty department, or tell your doctor, immediately. Take any remaining tablets and the container with you.

AFTER TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

Like many medicines, Furosemide Tablets may occasionally cause side-effects in some patients, particularly when you first start taking it. These may include generally feeling unwell, nausea, or stomach upsets, increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight, dizziness or feeling faint when standing up. You should consult your doctor if these are troublesome or continue.

Other effects include increased thirst, headache, muscle cramps or pain, unusual tiredness or weakness, ringing or buzzing in the ears, loss of hearing, skin rash with or without itching, fever, changes in body chemicals (including calcium, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine or urea), kidney inflammation or damage (including calcification of the kidney in premature infants), inflammation of blood vessels (vasculitis, which may cause rash, fever and joint or muscle pains), inflammation of the pancreas (causing severe abdominal pain), and effects on the bone marrow (causing anaemia, increased bruising, nose bleeds or infections). If you get these or any other unusual effects, tell your doctor immediately and seek advice.

STORING YOUR MEDICINE

Do not use the tablets after the expiry date shown. Keep the tablets below 25°C in a dry place and protect from light, and in the original packaging.

KEEP THEM IN A SECURE PLACE WHERE CHILDREN CANNOT GET AT OR SEE THEM. REMEMBER, this medicine is for YOU only. NEVER give it to anyone else. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours. Unless your doctor tells you to, do not keep medicines that you no longer need - give them back to your pharmacist for safe disposal.