Is Lasix dangerous??

Annor · Oct 17, 2005

she needs to go for regular f/u's with her doctor ex: blood work and medical check- ups

Annor

Editorial Team / Admin · Oct 17, 2005

Hello all!
I am a new nursing student. Well, I actually just got accepted and I will begin in January.
Anyway, the point of this post was to ask if there are any dangerous side effects of Lasix. I have an elderly friend who has been prescribed Lasix and she takes it every day. I don't know much right now but it just seems like it's not a good thing to take daily for long periods of time. I would just like to be reassured that it is okay for her to be taking this drug so often. She does take a potassium supplement but she hates taking it and won't take it daily like she does Lasix. If anyone has any helpful information, I would greatly appreciate it :)

:balloons: Hello and Welcome to Allnurses.com:balloons:

Great to have you.

I am sure the healthcare provider weighed the benifits and risks regarding the prescribing of Lasix. Yes, it is taken daily for many, many individuals. This drug is used to treat a variety of disorders. There are side effects.

If there is concern, you should advise her to contact her physician for further education.

bluesky, BSN, RN · Oct 17, 2005

Well. Many, many pts in CHF take lasix P.O. at home on a regular basis for years. The major caveats that I know of are that;

1) Lasix is not potassium sparing- your friend absolutelyneeds to take her K supplement.

2) In the SICU environment, lasix can fatigue kidneys that are struggling. In other words, if your pt's creatinine (this is a blood chemistry measurement of kidney function) is rising, lasix isn't exactly going to help the situation, it will exacerbate it. You try not to use lasix in pts who are receiving other kidney penitent meds such as Cyclosporin (for transplant pts).

JentheRN05, RN · Oct 17, 2005

Well. Many, many pts in CHF take lasix P.O. at home on a regular basis for years. The major caveats that I know of are that;
1) Lasix is not potassium sparing- your friend absolutelyneeds to take her K supplement.
2) In the SICU environment, lasix can fatigue kidneys that are struggling. In other words, if your pt's creatinine (this is a blood chemistry measurement of kidney function) is rising, lasix isn't exactly going to help the situation, it will exacerbate it. You try not to use lasix in pts who are receiving other kidney penitent meds such as Cyclosporin (for transplant pts).

Very good - exactly what I would have said!:yeahthat:

AllyRN82, MSN, APRN · Oct 17, 2005

Thank you all so much. I can now rest assure that she is okay since her check-ups have turned out okay. I just need to stay on her about her potassium pills. :angryfire

Thank y'all for listening and being so helpful! I love this website.

MQ Edna · Oct 17, 2005

Lasix also has a possibility of causing ototoxicity (hearing loss). Many times pt's are placed on Lasix PO once a day and a K+ supplement is also taken once a day to counteract K+ loss. Lab work needs to be followed up on frequently to make sure there aren't other electrolyte depletions which is very possible.

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Oct 17, 2005

lyte imbalances

hearing loss

kidney stones

bluesky, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2005

lyte imbalances
hearing loss
kidney stones

Wow... talk about getting to the point! Love it! :)

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 19, 2005

As far as the potassium goes. Tell her to make sure she take it with her breakfast or with a meal. Potassium seems to upset the stomach more if not taken with food.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Oct 19, 2005

This is way down on the list of side effects, but a real possibility nonetheless:

Furosemide can increase serum uric acid levels and bring on gout. (Seen it happen...)

It can also drop the blood pressure (if the client is already prone to hypotension).

fozzie · Oct 19, 2005

Lasix also has a possibility of causing ototoxicity (hearing loss)

If it's not too stupid of a question, how does Lasix cause ototoxicity? I'm familiar with its other side effects but I've never heard of this one before. :confused: