Health and Me

Itisha Arya

NHS Warns Furosemide Users About Dehydration Risk: Here’s Why

Furosemide warning

<span>Furosemide</span> is commonly prescribed in the UK to help manage conditions such as heart failure and high blood pressure. The diuretic medication is used by people of all ages, including children and infants. In 2024 alone, it was dispensed around 11 million times, making it one of the 20 most frequently prescribed medicines in the country.

Although it is widely used, doctors stress that furosemide must be taken carefully and in line with medical advice, as misuse can lead to serious health problems.

<h2>Furosemide: Why The <span rel="noindex">NHS</span> Is Warning Furosemide Users About Dehydration</h2>

To ensure safe use, the NHS has issued guidance urging certain people to speak to a doctor before taking furosemide. This is particularly important for anyone showing signs of dehydration, which can include feeling unusually thirsty, having a dry mouth, or noticing dark-coloured urine. Because furosemide increases urine output, it can raise the risk of fluid loss if not managed properly.

<h2>Who Should Speak To A Doctor Before Taking Furosemide?</h2>

The NHS advises the following people to consult a doctor before using furosemide:

<ul><li>Anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to furosemide or any other medicine</li><li>Anyone with low blood pressure, also known as hypotension</li><li>Anyone showing signs of dehydration, such as thirst, dry mouth, or dark urine</li><li>Anyone diagnosed with liver disease</li><li>Anyone living with diabetes</li><li>Anyone who has difficulty passing urine</li><li>Anyone diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare disorder affecting the adrenal glands</li><li>Anyone diagnosed with gout</li></ul>

<h2>Furosemide: When Should Users Contact A Doctor Or Delay Treatment</h2>

Beyond these groups, the NHS also says furosemide users should seek medical advice if:

<ul><li>You are due to have a glucose test</li><li>You are scheduled for a scan or X-ray that involves an iodine-based dye being injected into your blood</li><li>You are preparing for major surgery or a procedure that requires a general anaesthetic</li></ul>

<h2>How Furosemide Works And Why It Is Called A ‘Water Tablet’</h2>

Official NHS guidance explains that diuretics are often referred to as “water tablets” because they increase how often you urinate. This helps the body remove excess fluid.

“Furosemide is only available on prescription,” the NHS states. “It comes as tablets and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.”

<h2>Medicines That Can Interfere With Furosemide</h2>

The NHS also warns that certain medicines can reduce how well furosemide works or increase the risk of side effects. This includes some commonly used over-the-counter treatments, such as paracetamol, co-codamol, and remedies for heartburn or indigestion.

<h2>Common Painkillers And Remedies To Use With Caution</h2>

Anyone prescribed furosemide is advised to speak to a doctor before taking:

<ul><li>Medicines used to treat mental health conditions, including amisulpride, lithium, pimozide, or risperidone</li><li>Medicines used to treat high blood pressure, or drugs that may cause low blood pressure as a side effect</li><li>Sucralfate, a medicine used to treat stomach ulcers. Patients should leave around two hours between taking sucralfate and furosemide</li><li>Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, or naproxen</li></ul>

<h2>Why Potassium Supplements Can Affect Furosemide?</h2>

Other medicines can also interfere with how furosemide works, including:

<ul><li>Potassium supplements, steroids, or other diuretics that affect potassium levels</li><li>Medicines used to treat, or that may cause, irregular heart rhythms, such as amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide, or sotalol</li><li>Soluble paracetamol</li><li>Soluble co-codamol</li></ul>

<h2>Certain <span rel="noindex">Treatments For Heartburn</span> And Indigestion</h2>

The NHS advises patients to tell their doctor if they are taking potassium supplements, as these can alter potassium levels in the blood and affect how furosemide works.

The health service also cautions against combining furosemide with herbal remedies or supplements. According to NHS guidance, there is not enough evidence to confirm they are safe to take alongside the drug.

Unlike prescription and pharmacy medicines, herbal products are not tested to the same standards and are generally not assessed for how they interact with other medications.

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Furosemide is commonly prescribed in the UK to help manage conditions such as heart failure and high blood pressure. The diuretic medication is used by people of all ages, including children and infants. In 2024 alone, it was dispensed around 11 million times, making it one of the 20 most frequently prescribed medicines in the country.Although it is widely used, doctors stress that furosemide must be taken carefully and in line with medical advice, as misuse can lead to serious health problems.Furosemide: Why The NHS Is Warning Furosemide Users About DehydrationTo ensure safe use, the NHS has issued guidance urging certain people to speak to a doctor before taking furosemide. This is particularly important for anyone showing signs of dehydration, which can include feeling unusually thirsty, having a dry mouth, or noticing dark-coloured urine. Because furosemide increases urine output, it can raise the risk of fluid loss if not managed properly.Who Should Speak To A Doctor Before Taking Furosemide?The NHS advises the following people to consult a doctor before using furosemide:Anyone who has previously had an allergic reaction to furosemide or any other medicineAnyone with low blood pressure, also known as hypotensionAnyone showing signs of dehydration, such as thirst, dry mouth, or dark urineAnyone diagnosed with liver diseaseAnyone living with diabetesAnyone who has difficulty passing urineAnyone diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare disorder affecting the adrenal glandsAnyone diagnosed with goutFurosemide: When Should Users Contact A Doctor Or Delay TreatmentBeyond these groups, the NHS also says furosemide users should seek medical advice if:You are due to have a glucose testYou are scheduled for a scan or X-ray that involves an iodine-based dye being injected into your bloodYou are preparing for major surgery or a procedure that requires a general anaestheticHow Furosemide Works And Why It Is Called A ‘Water Tablet’Official NHS guidance explains that diuretics are often referred to as “water tablets” because they increase how often you urinate. This helps the body remove excess fluid.“Furosemide is only available on prescription,” the NHS states. “It comes as tablets and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.”Medicines That Can Interfere With FurosemideThe NHS also warns that certain medicines can reduce how well furosemide works or increase the risk of side effects. This includes some commonly used over-the-counter treatments, such as paracetamol, co-codamol, and remedies for heartburn or indigestion.Common Painkillers And Remedies To Use With CautionAnyone prescribed furosemide is advised to speak to a doctor before taking:Medicines used to treat mental health conditions, including amisulpride, lithium, pimozide, or risperidoneMedicines used to treat high blood pressure, or drugs that may cause low blood pressure as a side effectSucralfate, a medicine used to treat stomach ulcers. Patients should leave around two hours between taking sucralfate and furosemideNon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, known as NSAIDs, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, or naproxenWhy Potassium Supplements Can Affect Furosemide?Other medicines can also interfere with how furosemide works, including:Potassium supplements, steroids, or other diuretics that affect potassium levelsMedicines used to treat, or that may cause, irregular heart rhythms, such as amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide, or sotalolSoluble paracetamolSoluble co-codamolCertain Treatments For Heartburn And IndigestionThe NHS advises patients to tell their doctor if they are taking potassium supplements, as these can alter potassium levels in the blood and affect how furosemide works.The health service also cautions against combining furosemide with herbal remedies or supplements. According to NHS guidance, there is not enough evidence to confirm they are safe to take alongside the drug.Unlike prescription and pharmacy medicines, herbal products are not tested to the same standards and are generally not assessed for how they interact with other medications.