Furosemide Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 4, 2023.

Applies to furosemide: injection solution.

Other dosage forms:

• oral solution, oral tablet

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check you or your child closely while you are receiving this medicine. This is to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood or urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause you or your child to lose more potassium from your body than normal (hypokalemia). This is more likely to occur if you have liver disease (eg, cirrhosis), or if you are using this medicine together with steroids (cortisone-like medicines), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), large amounts of licorice, or laxatives for a long time. Tell your doctor if you become sick with severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, and drink fluids to prevent getting dehydrated. Check with your doctor right away if you have dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, or nausea or vomiting.

This medicine may cause hearing problems. Chek with your doctor right away if you have continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears, dizziness, feeling of fullness in the ears, hearing loss, loss of balance, or trouble hearing.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor.

This medicine may cause an increase in blood sugar levels. If you or your child are diabetic and notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests, check with your doctor.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen, hat, and protective clothing when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems.

Serious side effects of furosemide

Along with its needed effects, furosemide may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking furosemide:

Other side effects of furosemide

Some side effects of furosemide may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to furosemide: compounding powder, injectable solution, intravenous solution, oral liquid, oral solution, oral tablet, subcutaneous kit.

Metabolic adverse events

• Common (1% to 10%): Hyponatremia, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, blood cholesterol increased, blood uric acid increased, gout
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thirst, glucose tolerance decreased
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anorexia, serum triglycerides increased
• Frequency not reported: Hyperglycemia, diabetes mellitus, hyperuricemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypovolemia, dehydration, tetany, serum potassium decreased, Pseudo-Bartter syndrome, electrolyte disturbances, serum calcium decreased^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Hemoconcentration
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Thrombocytopenia
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Eosinophilia, leukopenia, bone marrow depression
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis
• Frequency not reported: Anemia, thrombophilia^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Common (1% to 10%): Urine volume increased
• Frequency not reported: Glycosuria, bladder spasm, urinary retention, urinary incontinence^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pruritus, bullous exanthema, rash, urticaria, purpura, erythema multiforme, exfoliative dermatitis, photosensitivity
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Lyell's syndrome and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms
• Frequency not reported: Toxic epidermal necrolysis, bullous pemphigoid, sweating^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Dry mouth, nausea, bowel motility disturbances, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Gastric distress, acute pancreatitis
• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, oral and gastric irritation, cramping^[Ref]

Renal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Blood creatinine increased, urea increased
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Interstitial nephritis, acute renal failure
• Frequency not reported: Nephrocalcinosis in premature infants, nephrolithiasis in premature infants, GFR decreased, tubulointerstitial nephritis^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Deafness, fatigue
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Sensation of pressure in the head, dysacusis, asthenia, fever, febrile conditions, malaise
• Frequency not reported: Weakness, sudden death, hearing disorders, hearing loss, paradoxical swelling^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Cardiac arrhythmia
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Vasculitis
• Frequency not reported: Systemic vasculitis, necrotizing angiitis, orthostatic hypotension, thrombophlebitis, acute hypotension, circulatory collapse, persistent patent ductus arteriosus during the first few weeks of life in premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome, blood pressure decreased, shock, hypotension, thrombosis, orthostatic blood pressure decreased^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Visual disturbance
• Rare (less than 0.1%): Myopia aggravated, blurred vision
• Frequency not reported: Blurred vision, xanthopsia^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Paresthesia, vertigo, dizziness, sleepiness, tinnitus, hyperosmolar coma
• Frequency not reported: Hepatic encephalopathy, headache, fainting and loss of consciousness, drowsiness, lethargy, sweet taste^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Lupus erythematosus activation or exacerbation, leg muscle cramps, chronic arthritis
• Frequency not reported: Muscle spasm, rhabdomyolysis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Rare (less than 0.1%): Severe anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions
• Frequency not reported: Allergic reactions^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Jaundice, hepatic ischemia, liver enzymes increased
• Frequency not reported: Abnormal hepatic function, cholestasis, bile flow increased, biliary tree distended^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Restlessness, psychiatric disorder, apathy^[Ref]

See also:

Frequently asked questions

• What are the equivalent dosages of bumetanide, furosemide & torsemide?

Further information

Furosemide side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer