Therapeutic action
Indications
Emergency treatment of:
- Oedema caused by renal, hepatic or congestive heart failure
- Hypertensive crisis (except that of pregnancy)
- Pulmonary oedema
Forms and strengths, route of administration
- 20 mg in 2 ml ampoule (10 mg/ml) for IM or slow IV injection
Dosage
- Child: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/injection
- Adult: 20 to 40 mg/injection
Repeat after 2 hours if necessary.
For pulmonary oedema: if an initial IV injection of 40 mg does not produce a satisfactory responsewithin one hour, the dose may be increased to 80 mg by slow IV injection.
Duration
- According to clinical response;
- If prolonged use is required,change to oral treatment 3 hours after the last injection.
Contra-indications, adverse effects, precautions
- Do not administer in other types of oedema,especially those due to kwashiorkor.
- Do not administerin case of hepatic encephalopathy.
- May cause: hypokalaemia, especially in cases of cirrhosis, denutrition, congestive heart failure.
- Closely monitor combination with digoxin (furosemide enhances toxicity of digoxin).
- Pregnancy: CONTRA-INDICATED to treat hypertension in pregnancy
- Breast-feeding: avoid (excreted in milk and may reduce milk production)
Remarks
- If doses greater than 50 mg are required, it is recommended that they be given by IV infusion.
Storage
– Below 25 °C