Lasix
Lasix is perhaps the most widely known drug with a diuretic effect. Even those people who have never encountered any urinary tract problems have often heard about it.
Lasix is the brand name of a drug whose active ingredient is furosemide. Furosemide belongs to the pharmacological group of diuretics: it is a loop diuretic with a rapid action. Furosemide is a sulfonamide derivative. The principle of action of this drug is that it blocks the transport system of sodium, potassium and chloride ions in the thick segment of the ascending limb of the loop of Henley. It follows that the diuretic effect of Lasix is due to the entry of the drug into the lumen of the renal tubules, as well as inhibition of the reabsorption of sodium chloride in this section of the loop of Henley. The clinical effect of taking Lasix appears primarily by increasing the amount of urine excreted. This phenomenon is observed even if the patient drinks the same amount of fluid as usual, or even less. This phenomenon is due to the fact that Lasix binds water osmotically. This medication increases sodium excretion and potassium secretion in the distal renal tubules.
Unlike many other diuretics, when taking Lasix for a course, its diuretic activity does not decrease, since the drug interrupts the tubular-glomerular feedback in the special tubular structure of the Macula densa (it is closely related to the juxtaglomerular complex). Lasix causes dose-dependent stimulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. [1]
Lasix Uses
The main indications for the use of Lasix are edema in chronic heart failure, arterial hypertension, pulmonary and cerebral edema. This medicine is also effectively used in the treatment of various poisonings. It is one of the most important drugs used in toxicology, in particular because it begins to act soon after administration: the maximum concentration of the drug in the blood is reached 1.5 hours after administration.[1]
In heart failure, Lasix quickly reduces preload (by dilating the veins), reduces pulmonary artery pressure and left ventricular filling pressure. This rapidly developing effect appears to be mediated through the effects of prostaglandins, and therefore the condition for its development is the absence of disturbances in the synthesis of prostaglandins, in addition to which the realization of this effect also requires sufficient preservation of renal function.
The drug has a pronounced hypotensive effect, which is caused by an increase in sodium excretion, a decrease in circulating blood volume and a decrease in the response of vascular smooth muscles to vasoconstrictor stimuli. This is due to the fact that, due to its natriuretic effect, furosemide reduces the vascular response to catecholamines, the concentration of which is usually increased in patients with arterial hypertension.
Also, indications for the use of Lasix include edema syndrome in chronic renal failure, acute renal failure, including that during pregnancy and burns (to maintain fluid excretion). The drug can be used in the treatment of edema syndrome in nephrotic syndrome (if diuretic therapy is necessary), as well as edema syndrome in liver diseases (if necessary in addition to treatment with aldosterone antagonists).
Healthy volunteers taking Lasix as part of clinical studies of the drug’s effects demonstrate dose-dependent diuresis and natriuresis.
There is a bad practice of using Lasix, as well as other furosemide-based drugs, for weight loss, as well as very rapid weight loss for athletes, dancers and representatives of similar professions before competitions. This use is not recommended, since weight is lost not due to a decrease in the amount of fat deposits, but due to the removal of fluid from the body. Of course, to some extent, body weight decreases due to the disappearance of edema, but firstly, the use of furosemide is recognized by most organizations as doping, and secondly, various side effects may develop that can be dangerous for the body.
Lasix Side Effects
Lasix can cause the following side effects: blood thickening due to reduced water content in the body; disturbance of water and electrolyte balance, symptoms of which are headache, cramps, muscle weakness, heart rhythm disturbances; low levels of sodium, chlorine and potassium in the blood, which can be seen in a blood test; increased cholesterol levels in the blood; increased concentration of uric acid in the blood and attacks of gout; changes in level of consciousness as a result of liver failure (hepatic encephalopathy); increase in urine volume.
This is not a complete list of side effects of this medicine, but only the most common of them, which can occur even with a carefully selected dosage by the doctor. If the patient takes the drug in a dosage that is too high for him, which is usually observed with inappropriate use of Lasix, namely for weight loss, then more serious side effects may develop. Among them are visual and hearing impairment, dizziness, collapse as a result of a strong decrease in blood pressure, drowsiness, dry oral mucosa, decreased glucose tolerance, allergic reactions, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia.
Because of the high likelihood of side effects, buying Lasix without a prescription is not a good idea, especially if this medicine has not been prescribed to you previously.
Lasix Generic Name
As of 2024, Lasix has a huge number of generics on the global pharmaceutical market. This is a popular medicine that is present in the product range of almost every major pharmaceutical company. Indian manufacturers offer especially many generic versions of Lasix. All generic Lasix products contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name drug, namely furosemide, and have the same indications, contraindications and list of side effects. Generic Lasix is sold under brand names such as Generic Furosemide, Furosemide Ajanta, Lasifru, Firosemide Tablets, Frusemide and so on.
Lasix Dosage
Lasix is available in two strengths: 20 and 40 mg. This medicine is also produced in the form of an injection solution, but we are considering the tablet form, which is the most widely used outside the hospital. It should be noted that the optimal dosage regimen in each case must be determined by the doctor, and it is necessary to strictly observe the compliance of the dosage form used with the indications for use and dosage regimen.
The medicine is usually taken orally on an empty stomach. If it is necessary to use this drug, it is recommended to use the smallest dosage sufficient to achieve the desired effect. In this case, the maximum daily dose for adults is 1,500 mg. For edema syndrome in chronic heart failure in adults, the initial dose is 40-80 mg per day, which should preferably be divided into 2-3 doses. The situation is approximately the same in patients with chronic renal failure, but here the daily dose should be taken once or divided into two doses. For arterial hypertension, Lasix is used both as monotherapy and in combination with other antihypertensive drugs – usually at a dosage of 20 – 40 mg per day.
If you are offered to buy Lasix 100 mg, please note that tablets with this dosage must be divided into four parts to avoid overdose.
Lasix 20mg
The dosage of 20 mg is the recommended initial dose of Lasix therapy and if this dosage is sufficient for diuresis, it is undesirable to increase it. Since the minimum oral dose for children is 6 mg per kilogram of body weight, Lasix 20 mg tablets are convenient for use in children when developing a treatment plan.
Lasix Cost
Lasix is not the most expensive drug, but still the cost of 100 tablets at a dosage of 20 mg is about $94. If a patient wants to buy cheap Lasix, especially if he takes it on an ongoing basis, the best option would be to buy Lasix online. Cheap generic versions of Lasix cost 3-4 times less than the original medicine.
Buy Lasix Online Cheap
Online pharmacies allow you to buy Lasix at affordable prices and have the medication delivered to your home or local post office. Without a doubt, such a common drug as Lasix can be purchased at almost any regular local pharmacy. However, when ordering from an online pharmacy, the choice is much wider. This applies to both the dosages of Furosemide and the range of its generics, as well as the price range of available offers.
Over the Counter Lasix
Most often, patients are faced with the need to buy Lasix or its generics without a prescription if they are on hemodialysis. In this case, they take Lasix at a dose of 100 mg.
As a rule, in this dosage the drug is available exclusively in tablet form, which ensures ease of administration and maximum ease of use at home. Due to the severity of diseases requiring hemodialysis, patients are often unable to regularly refill their doctor’s prescription for this drug. It requires free time, effort and money.
If the patient is confident that this drug is well tolerated by his body and if he takes it continuously for a sufficiently long time, it is quite possible to order generic Lasix without a doctor’s prescription. Pharmacies under American jurisdiction don’t provide such services, but most major international online pharmacies, as well as Indian online pharmacies, sell Lasix and its generics without a prescription.
References
[1] Krumlovsky, Frank A., and Francesco del Greco. “Diuretic agents mechanisms of action and clinical uses.” Postgraduate Medicine 59.4 (1976): 105-110. link
[2] Hamo, Carine E., et al. “OUTpatient intravenous LASix Trial in reducing hospitalization for acute decompensated heart failure (OUTLAST).” PLoS One 16.6 (2021): e0253014. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]