furosemide

[Tutina]

Hi has anyone had the following side effects when taking furosemide:

Light headed and dizziness. Dry mouth and sickness and diarrhoea.

My husband has been prescribed furosemide as he has heart failure. He is experiencing all the above. I would be interested to know if anyone else is feeling unwell whilst taking these. We have mentioned it to the Doctor, but they are not convinced this is the case. Look forward to your comments.

[DodgyTickerMum]

Hiya,

Sorry to hear this. My Dad has end stage heart failure and is often on the max dose of 120mg of Furosemide. I believe it is known to cause all of the side effects you describe.

Do you have access to a Heart Failure Nurse you can chat to about it? They would be able to alter his dose or maybe prescribe an alternative diuretic instead.

Low blood pressure can also cause dizziness. My Dad has been told he must keep his fluid intake up to counteract this.

I hope you get some answers and your Hubby soon feels better.

[Afibflipper]

Hi, best to seek medical advice on this. Could be any number of reasons, the current dose, low blood pressure, imbalance of electrolytes, dehydration or incompatibility with another medication or over the counter treatments. Don’t try to tweak thinks yourself though - hope he feels better soon

[Bluedolphin123]

I,m lightheaded and dizzy but I’m also on bisoperol and without the medication my dizziness is so worse so is it the medication, my heart valve or my AF it’s difficult to know - good luck 😊

[cavalover]

We’re all different you need to speak to your husband’s heart team they know exactly what is wrong with him.

[VelvetSky]

I take Furosemide twice a week 20mg and Eplerenone 25mg every day. I have taken it for several years and I don’t feel any problems with it. Apart from don’t plan to go out immediately after taking it!

[Suzyh]

HiYes I felt dizzy and sick with itchy skin my Gp put me back on bumetanide and now no problems

[MountainGoat52]

I would certainly get in touch with your husband's heart team. There are alternative diuretics which may present fewer or even no side effects. We are all different and it is a case of finding what suits your husband best.

[Wingnutty]

I never had those side effects when I was on it, but I was admitted to hospital with a serious nose bleed and from the blood tests, they found I was dangerously depleted in sodium and potassium, probably because I was peeing it all out. They had to stop the Furosemide for me. Keep on top of all blood tests when on this drug.

[PecanSandie]

I get videos from my pharmacy about the drugs I am taking and I just got one today for furosemide. I copied this from the transcript regarding side effects:

"At first, or if your doctor increases your dose, it could make you dizzy. To reduce this, stand up slowly after you’ve been sitting or lying down. Furosemide can cause mild headache or muscle cramps, and, if upset stomach happens, taking it with food or milk may help. Also, you’ll probably need to urinate more often. This is normal and should go away. If these or other side effects become reasons you want to stop taking this medicine, please talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It is important to know that some patients will require extra potassium while taking furosemide, so ask your doctor about your potassium needs."