DIURETICS, LOOP

USES

DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION

How to take:
Tablet or liquid -- Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow
whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.
When to take:

Time lapse before drug works:
1 hour to increase water loss. Requires 2 to 3 weeks to lower
blood pressure.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Weakness, lethargy, dizziness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, leg-
muscle cramps, thirst, stupor, deep sleep, weak and rapid pulse,
cardiac arrest.
WHAT TO DO:

POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS

SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO

Life-threatening:
None expected.
Common:
Dizziness. Continue. Call doctor when
convenient.
Infrequent:
Mood change, fatigue, Discontinue. Call
appetite loss, diarrhea, doctor right away.
irregular heartbeat,
muscle cramps,
weakness, abdominal
pain, low blood pressure.
Rare:
Rash or hives, yellow Discontinue. Call
vision, ringing in ears, doctor right away.
hearing loss, sore throat,
fever, dry mouth, thirst,
side or stomach pain,
nausea, vomiting, unusual
bleeding or bruising,
joint pain, jaundice,
numbness or tingling in
hands or feet.

WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS

Don't take if:
You are allergic to loop diuretics.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

Driving or hazardous activities:
No age-related problems expected.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete
prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.
Others:
Frequent laboratory studies to monitor potassium level in blood
recommended. Eat foods rich in potassium or take potassium
supplements. Consult doctor.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS

ACE inhibitors:	Possible excessive
captopril, enalapril,	potassium in blood.
lisinopril (see
Drugs Glossary)
Allopurinol	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Amiodarone	Increased risk of heartbeat
	irregularity due to low potassium.
Anticoagulants	Abnormal clotting.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Antidepressants,	Excessive blood-
tricyclic (TCA,	pressure drop.
see Drugs Glossary)
Antidiabetics (oral,	Decreased
see Drugs Glossary)	antidiabetic effect.
Antihypertensives	Increased antihypertensive
(see Drugs Glossary)	effect. Dosages may require
	adjustment.
Barbiturates	Low blood pressure.
(see Drugs Glossary)
Beta-adrenergic	Increased antihypertensive
blockers (see	effect. Dosages
Drugs Glossary)	may require adjustment.
Calcium supplements	Decreased calcium in
(see Drugs Glossary)	blood.
Corticosteroids	Decreased potassium.
Cortisone drugs	Excessive potassium loss.
Digitalis	Excessive potassium
preparations	loss could lead to
(see Drugs Glossary)	serious heart rhythm disorders.
Digoxin	Increased possibility of digitalis
	toxicity.
Diuretics (other,	Increased diuretic
see Drugs Glossary)	effect.
Insulin	Decreased insulin effect.
Lithium	Increased lithium toxicity.
Narcotics	Dangerous low blood pressure.
	Avoid.
Nitrates	Excessive blood-pressure drop.
Non-steroidal	Decreased
anti-inflammatory	loop diuretic effect.
drugs (NSAIDs,
see Drugs Glossary)
Phenytoin	Decreased loop diuretic effect.
Potassium supplements	Decreased potassium
(see Drugs Glossary)	effect.
Probenecid	Decreased probenecid effect.
Salicylates	Dangerous salicylate
(including aspirin)	retention.
Sedatives	Increased loop diuretic
(see Drugs Glossary)	effect.

POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES

Tobacco:	Decreased loop diuretic effect.
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