Furosemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt, allowing the salt to instead be passed in your urine.

Furosemide treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, liver disease, or a kidney disorder such as nephrotic syndrome. This medication is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Furosemide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, enlarged prostate, urination problems, cirrhosis or other liver disease, an electrolyte imbalance, high cholesterol, gout, lupus, diabetes, or an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you have recently had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or any type of scan using a radioactive dye that is injected into your veins.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. High doses of furosemide may cause irreversible hearing loss.

Furosemide will make you urinate more often and you may get dehydrated easily. Follow your doctor's instructions about using potassium supplements or getting enough salt and potassium in your diet.

Avoid becoming dehydrated. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink while you are taking furosemide.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested often. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Visit your doctor regularly.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate.

To make sure you can safely take furosemide, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney disease;

• enlarged prostate, bladder obstruction or other urination problems;

• cirrhosiss or other liver disease;

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood);

• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);

• gout;

• lupus;

• diabetes; or

• an allergy to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you have recently had an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or any type of scan using a radioactive dye that is injected into your veins.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether furosemide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Furosemide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. This medication may also slow breast milk production. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.