Furosemide is a medication doctors prescribe to treat conditions such as high blood pressure and water retention. It is a diuretic medication, one of the side effects of which is increased urination. Complications of this side effect include accelerated loss of important electrolytes such as potassium, which increases your risk of developing a dangerously low serum potassium level.
Furosemide
Taken once or twice daily, furosemide goes to work quickly by ridding your body of excess fluid associated with medical disorders, such as liver disease, kidney disease and congestive heart failure. The medication acts on your kidneys to increase urination, which allows efficient elimination of excess serum sodium and water. Furosemide also lowers blood pressure. If you have hypertension, you are at increased risk for heart disease, kidney failure, heart failure and stroke. The blood-pressure-lowering effects of furosemide lower this risk.
Side Effects
In addition to increased urination -- a side effect of furosemide that can last up to six hours after you take the medication -- other side effects include headache, restlessness and blurry vision. Upset stomach, vomiting and constipation are gastrointestinal side effects associated with furosemide. You may also experience muscle cramps, dizziness and weakness. Notify your doctor if any of these symptoms become intolerable. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a sore throat, fever, ringing in your ears or hearing loss. The same is true if you notice increased bleeding and bruising, a severe peeling rash, excessive loss of weight or difficulties with swallowing or breathing.
Low Potassium
The salt-flushing effect of furosemide also causes rapid elimination of other nutrients, such as potassium. If your serum potassium level eventually falls below a normal healthy level, your health is in danger. In the absence of intervention, your potassium level will likely continue to fall to a level at which your life may be at risk. If you notice fatigue, muscle cramping or constipation, or if you feel like your heart is beating abnormally, notify your doctor immediately. An irregular heartbeat is an immediate threat to your life, as is paralysis, an additional side effect of a profoundly low potassium level. Side effects like these warrant immediate emergency medical treatment.
Interventions
Eating a potassium-rich diet is one way to proactively decrease your risk for a low potassium level when taking furosemide. High-potassium foods include tomatoes, oranges, avocados, bananas and spinach. Milk, peanut butter, beans, peas and carrots are also rich in potassium. If, despite a high-potassium diet, you develop mild hypokalemia, your doctor will likely recommend oral potassium supplements. More severe hypokalemia requires intravenous potassium replacement.
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