Application of Furosemide for weight loss

Furosemide

Combinations not recommended

— Chloral hydrate

- Intravenous infusion of furosemide within a 24-hour period after administration of chloral hydrate may lead to skin flushing, profuse sweating, anxiety, nausea, increased blood pressure and tachycardia. Therefore, the use of furosemide in combination with chloral hydrate is not recommended.

— Aminoglycosides

- slowing down the excretion of aminoglycosides by the kidneys when used simultaneously with furosemide and increasing the risk of developing ototoxic and nephrotoxic effects of aminoglycosides. For this reason, the use of this combination of drugs should be avoided, except in cases where it is necessary for health reasons, in which case an adjustment (reduction) of maintenance doses of aminoglycosides is required.

Combinations that should be used with caution

— Ototoxic drugs

- furosemide potentiates their ototoxicity. Such drugs can be used simultaneously with Furosemide only for strict medical indications, since combined use can lead to irreversible damage to the hearing organ.

— Cisplatin

- when used simultaneously with furosemide, there is a risk of ototoxicity. In addition, the nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin may be enhanced when furosemide is used for forced diuresis during treatment with cisplatin, unless furosemide is used in a low dose (for example, 40 mg in patients with normal renal function) and without combination with appropriate hydration of the patient.

— Sucralfate

- a decrease in the absorption of furosemide when taken orally and a weakening of its effect (furosemide and sucralfate when taken orally should be taken at least two hours apart).

— Lithium salts -

under the influence of furosemide, the excretion of lithium is reduced, due to which the content of lithium in the blood serum increases, which increases the risk of its toxic effects, including cardiotoxic and neurotoxic effects. Therefore, when using this combination, monitoring of lithium levels in the blood serum is required.

-
(ACE)
inhibitors - the use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists in patients previously treated with furosemide may lead to an excessive decrease in blood pressure with deterioration of renal function, and in some cases - to the development of acute renal disease insufficiency, therefore, 3 days before starting treatment or increasing the dose of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor antagonists, it is recommended to discontinue furosemide or reduce its dose.

— Risperidone

- Caution should be exercised, carefully weighing the balance of risk and benefit, before deciding to use a combination of risperidone with furosemide or other strong diuretics, as an increase in mortality was observed in elderly patients with dementia receiving concomitant treatment with risperidone and furosemide.

— Levothyroxine

- Furosemide in high doses can inhibit the binding of thyroid hormones to carrier proteins and thus lead initially to a transient increase in the concentrations of free thyroid hormones, and then, in general, to a decrease in the total concentration of thyroid hormones. When using this combination, thyroid hormone concentrations should be monitored.

Interactions to Consider

— Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs)

- NSAIDs, including acetylsalicylic acid, can reduce the diuretic effect of furosemide. In patients with hypovolemia and dehydration (including while taking Furosemide), NSAIDs can cause the development of acute renal failure. Furosemide may increase the toxicity of salicylates.

— Phenytoin

- reduction of the diuretic effect of furosemide.

— Glucocorticosteroids, carbenoxolone, licorice preparations

in large quantities and prolonged use of laxatives when combined with furosemide increase the risk of developing hypokalemia.

— Cardiac glycosides, drugs known to prolong the QT interval

- in case of development of water-electrolyte balance disturbances (hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia) during the use of furosemide, the toxic effect of cardiac glycosides and drugs increases. causing prolongation of the QT interval (the risk of developing heart rhythm disturbances increases).

- Antihypertensives, diuretics or other drugs
that can lower blood pressure
- when combined with furosemide, a more pronounced decrease in blood pressure is possible.

- Probenecid, methotrexate or other drugs that, like furosemide,
are excreted in the renal tubules
, can reduce the effects of furosemide (same route of renal excretion); on the other hand, furosemide may lead to decreased renal excretion of these drugs. All this increases the risk of developing HP both with furosemide and the above-mentioned medications taken simultaneously with it.

— Hypoglycemic agents (both for oral administration and insulin preparations), pressor amines (epinephrine, norepinephrine)

- weakening of effects when combined with furosemide.

— Theophylline, diazoxide, curare-like muscle relaxants

- enhanced effects when combined with furosemide.

— Medicines with nephrotoxic effects

- when combined with furosemide, the risk of developing nephrotoxicity increases.

- High doses of some cephalosporins (excreted primarily by the kidneys)

- in combination with furosemide, the risk of nephrotoxicity of cephalosporins increases.

— Cyclosporine A

- when combined with furosemide, the risk of developing gouty arthritis increases due to hyperuricemia caused by furosemide and impaired renal urate excretion under the influence of cyclosporine.

— X-ray contrast agents —

Patients at high risk of developing nephropathy due to radiocontrast administration treated with furosemide had a higher incidence of renal dysfunction after administration of radiocontrast agents, compared with patients at high risk of developing nephropathy due to radiocontrast administration who received only intravenous fluids (hydration).

Furosemide: release form, composition and packaging

The main component of the drug is furosemide - a compound of chemicals such as aminosulfonyl, chlorine, furanelmethyl and aminobenzoic acid.

In pharmacies, the drug can be presented either as tablets, which are available in packages of 50 pieces, or as a solution in ampoules of 5, 10 or 25 pieces.

It is necessary to monitor the expiration date of the drug; from the date of manufacture (it is indicated on the packaging), the medicine can be used for 2 years. Recommended storage temperature is 25 degrees.

The product is sold only with a doctor's prescription. Furosemide can be prescribed for the following diseases:

• cirrhosis of the liver;
• heart problems;
• pain during menstruation or premenstrual period;
• hypertensive crisis;
• high blood pressure;
• with a high potassium content.

The dosage is determined by the doctor. Sometimes the dosage may change throughout treatment. The instructions for the drug indicate that it is recommended to take the medicine in the morning before meals. For an adult, the initial dosage is 20-40 milligrams, but later, if the effect is not enhanced, the dose can be increased to 160 milligrams per day. The break between doses should be about 6 hours.

Prices and dosage

The drug has a fairly low cost, which may vary from region to region, but on average it is 20-50 rubles per package.

The tablets must be taken orally, without chewing, with plenty of water. It is recommended to start taking it with minimal doses. The instructions describe in detail how to take the drug correctly for certain diseases.

As a means of losing weight, Furosemide should be taken 1 tablet on an empty stomach in the morning. If the desired result is not achieved, the dose can be increased to 2 tablets. With weight loss, the dose is also gradually reduced. Do not exceed the dosage, otherwise the body becomes addicted.

The drug is also not compatible with alcohol. The combination of these two substances can cause adverse reactions, which are also possible when taking the drug during a hangover.

The principle of action of Furosemide for weight loss

The diuretic effect that the drug has allows you to achieve rapid weight loss. 40-60 minutes after taking it, the following processes begin to occur in the body:

• the volume of urine produced increases;
• electrolytes Na and Cl are blocked, this ensures the excretion of ions in the urine;
• the drug activates the work of all parts of the kidneys;
• bicarbonates, phosphates, ions and water are removed from the body;
• Urine pH increases;
• intrarenal mediators are released and blood flow is redistributed;
• the total volume of circulating blood becomes smaller.

How many days can you take the drug? People who have lost weight using this method note in their reviews that it is necessary to take furosemide for no more than one day. During this day, you should remove salt from your diet, as well as other foods that may contain it. The reason is that salt retains water - this slows down the effect of the tablets.

While taking the drug, it is recommended to consume more fruits and vegetables, and it is better to keep fatty foods to a minimum. If these simple rules are not followed, the effect of consumption may decrease.

To lose weight, you should not increase the duration of taking the pills, since excessive urine output can wash away beneficial substances.

Restoring balance will then take more than two weeks. It is necessary to strictly follow doctors' orders and not self-medicate - this can be dangerous to health.

Analogs

In addition to furosemide, other diuretic drugs are widely available in pharmacies, for example:

• tarasemide, which also removes salt from the body;
• hydrochlorothiazide, arifon - they provide a diuretic effect;
• amiloride, veroshpiron - allow you to remove fluid from the body, while retaining many useful elements, such as sodium and potassium.

In folk medicine there is also a whole list of diuretics. They have their advantages, the main of which is the absence of side effects and addiction. There are various diuretic teas and pharmaceutical preparations. Some fruits have this effect. Natural remedies are much safer than any pharmaceutical medicine, as they have a much gentler effect on the body. For example, a good diuretic summer product is watermelon, which is very often used for weight loss.

Barberry, dandelion, and corn silk have a good diuretic effect. These plants have a positive effect on metabolism, are quickly digested, and prevent the absorption of fats. You can remove excess liquid by drinking rosehip tea. In addition to the beneficial effect, this drink has a pleasant taste.

Contraindications

In addition to the fact that furosemide is contraindicated for children and pregnant women, it is also prohibited for gout, heart disease, chronic liver disease, and a violation of the water-salt balance of the body. It is also prohibited for people with diabetes, regardless of whether the person is insulin dependent or not. The following diseases can also be identified for which taking the drug is strictly prohibited:

• allergic reaction to any of the components;
• poor patency of the urinary canals;
• pancreatitis;
• Anuria is a disease in which urine does not enter the bladder;
• increased venous pressure;
• during lactation.

Also, the drug should not be taken during depression. This type of medicine has a whole list of contraindications; of course, you cannot independently verify their presence or absence, therefore, before taking the drug, consultation with a specialist is required.

A more complete list of contraindications is indicated in the instructions.

Like any medicine, this drug has a number of side effects.

Is it possible to lose weight while taking Furosemide?

Furosemide promotes weight loss without special restrictions on food and heavy physical activity. Weight is lost due to the removal of excess water from the body. However, it is worth noting that in the absence of physical activity and without adjusting the diet, it will not be possible to maintain the result for a long time. Lost kilograms may return in just a couple of days, as the body regains its previous level of fluid.

How many days should I take the drug? Many doctors note that the maximum duration of use should not be more than 2-3 days, but the safest period is considered to be one day. During this time, you must strictly adhere to the dosage, which is set to take no more than 3 tablets. The break between each dose should be 3-4 hours. If the solution is administered by injection, then it must be done intravenously over 2-3 minutes. Sometimes intramuscular administration is allowed.

Experts recommend following the following recommendations to avoid harm to the body:

• Remove salt and foods that contain it from your diet while taking the drug.
• If something else is taken at the same time during treatment, then it is necessary to study the compatibility of these drugs.
• Water consumption must be increased by 1-2 liters.
• Add bladder-boosting foods, such as oats, lemon or cranberry juice, beets, carrots, or any other diuretic foods.
• While taking the medicine, urination occurs much more often, approximately every 30-40 minutes, so you need to stay at home or near the toilet during the day.

Do not try to extend the duration of your medication. Still, it is aimed at treating diseases, relieving swelling, and not at losing weight. Long-term use may cause swelling and other health problems.