Prescription medication · Loop Diuretic
furosemide
Also sold as Lasix. This medicine treats swelling (edema) from heart failure, liver problems, or kidney disease.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 387,984
- FDA reportsHeavily reported
- 36
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- 87% less
- Generic vs brandHuge savings
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
furosemide (Lasix) is a prescription Loop Diuretic, in the top 5% of tracked drugs by FAERS report volume (387,984 FDA reports), whose generic runs roughly half the brand price or less (87% less).
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
furosemide (Lasix) is a prescription Loop Diuretic. This medicine treats swelling (edema) from heart failure, liver problems, or kidney disease.
Furosemide is a water pill (diuretic). It helps your body get rid of extra water and salt.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Shortage Alert
furosemide is currently listed as in shortage by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Gland Pharma Limited. Status: Available.
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Brand Price
$0.75/unit
Generic Price
$0.10/unit
Generic Savings
87%
Generic Available
Yes (20 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
This medicine treats swelling (edema) from heart failure, liver problems, or kidney disease.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Headache, Blurred vision
Key warnings
Furosemide can cause you to lose too much fluid and electrolytes.
The sections below are summarized in plain English from furosemide's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.
How It Works
Furosemide works in your kidneys. It helps your kidneys remove more salt and water from your blood. This lowers the amount of fluid in your body and lowers blood pressure.
How to Take It
Take furosemide as your doctor tells you. Your doctor will adjust your dose to find what works best. You can take it with or without food. Try to take it at the same times each day.
This is a plain-language summary of furosemide's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Furosemide may not be safe during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking this medicine while breastfeeding.
This is a plain-language summary of furosemide's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule.
This is a plain-language summary of furosemide's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.
Storage
Store at room temperature (68° to 77°F) away from light in a tightly closed container.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 387,984 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for furosemide, by number of reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
29,099 reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
20,389 reports
- Diarrhea
Diarrhea
19,940 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
18,682 reports
- Sudden kidney damage
Sudden kidney damage
18,530 reports
- Death
Death
18,309 reports
- Fall
Fall
16,161 reports
- Pneumonia
Pneumonia
16,079 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
15,179 reports
- Low blood pressure
Low blood pressure
14,753 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for furosemide each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where furosemide sits
furosemide has more FDA adverse-event reports than 98% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is furosemide; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 387,984 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1997–2025.
Total Reports
387,984
Reports Mentioning Death
60,624
15.6% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
190,901
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | DYSPNOEA | 29,104 |
| 2 | FATIGUE | 20,393 |
| 3 | DIARRHOEA | 19,937 |
| 4 | NAUSEA | 18,692 |
| 5 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 18,530 |
| 6 | DEATH | 18,316 |
| 7 | FALL | 16,158 |
| 8 | PNEUMONIA | 16,077 |
| 9 | ASTHENIA | 15,177 |
| 10 | HYPOTENSION | 14,755 |
| 11 | DIZZINESS | 14,719 |
| 14 | PAIN | 13,548 |
| 15 | HEADACHE | 12,959 |
| 16 | RENAL FAILURE | 12,862 |
| 17 | VOMITING | 12,388 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Serious Warnings
Furosemide can cause you to lose too much fluid and electrolytes. This can lead to dehydration, low blood pressure, and kidney problems. Your doctor should check your blood regularly while you are taking this medicine.
Known Drug Interactions
7.5 Furosemide Tamsulosin Tamsulosin had no effect on the pharmacodynamics (excretion of electrolytes) of furosemide. While furosemide produced an 11% to 12% reduction in tamsulosin hydrochloride C max and AUC, these changes are expected to be clinically insignificant and do not require adjustment of the dose of tamsulosin [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .
Mechanism: Furosemide slightly lowers the amount of the other drug in your blood, but the effect is too small to matter.
What to do: You do not need to change your dose when taking these medications together.
7.5 Furosemide Tamsulosin Tamsulosin had no effect on the pharmacodynamics (excretion of electrolytes) of furosemide. While furosemide produced an 11% to 12% reduction in tamsulosin hydrochloride C max and AUC, these changes are expected to be clinically insignificant and do not require adjustment of the dose of tamsulosin [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 ) ] .
Mechanism: Furosemide can slightly decrease the levels of tamsulosin in your body, but it does not change how well the water pill works.
What to do: No dose adjustments are necessary because the interaction is not considered clinically important.
7.7 Furosemide Tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules had no effect on the pharmacodynamics (excretion of electrolytes) of furosemide. While furosemide produced an 11% to 12% reduction in tamsulosin hydrochloride C max and AUC, these changes are expected to be clinically insignificant and do not require adjustment of the tamsulosin hydrochloride capsules dosage [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)].
Mechanism: Furosemide slightly lowers the level of tamsulosin in your system, but the effect is too small to change how the medicine works.
What to do: You can take these medicines together safely without changing your dose.
Concomitant use of cyclosporine and furosemide is associated with increased risk of gouty arthritis secondary to furosemide-induced hyperurecemia and cyclosporine impairment of renal urate excretion.
Mechanism: Furosemide raises uric acid levels in the blood, while cyclosporine makes it harder for the kidneys to remove it. This combination can cause uric acid to build up and lead to painful gouty arthritis.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your uric acid levels and watch for signs of joint pain. Dosage adjustments may be necessary if gout symptoms develop.
Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics because they reduce lithium's renal clearance and add a high risk of lithium toxicity.
Mechanism: Furosemide prevents the kidneys from clearing lithium out of the body properly. This causes lithium to build up to dangerous levels, which can lead to toxicity.
What to do: Avoid taking these two medications together. If they must be used, your doctor will need to monitor your lithium blood levels very closely.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What should I avoid while taking furosemide?
Can furosemide affect my blood sugar?
Will furosemide interact with other medications I'm taking?
How long does it take for furosemide to work?
Can furosemide cause hearing loss?
What are the symptoms of low potassium caused by furosemide?
Can I drink alcohol while taking furosemide?
Does furosemide cause weight loss?
Can furosemide affect my kidneys?
When should I call my doctor?
What are the common side effects of furosemide?
Does furosemide interact with other medications?
What drug class is furosemide?
Is there a generic version of furosemide?
Is furosemide safe during pregnancy?
Has furosemide been recalled?
Is furosemide currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
CGMP Deviations; presence of N-nitroso-Furosemide (NNF) above the recommended intake limit.
Leading Pharma, LLC
Presence of Foreign Substance
Graviti Pharmaceuticals Private Limited
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Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for furosemide
The FDA label for furosemide (sold under brand names such as Lasix) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Loop Diuretic class. This medicine treats swelling (edema) from heart failure, liver problems, or kidney disease. Official labeling lists 10 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Headache, Blurred vision.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 387,984 voluntary reports. The database also lists 36 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.10 versus $0.75 for the brand - a 87% generic savings.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 2 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: March 1, 2023
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages