This article describes possible interactions with furosemide oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.

Furosemide comes as tablets that you’ll swallow. It’s also available as an oral liquid solution and a liquid solution that’s injected into your muscle or vein.

Boxed warning: Risk of fluid loss

Furosemide has a boxed warning for the risk of fluid loss. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

See the end of this article for more information about this warning.

Other drugs and furosemide

The drugs in the list below may interact with furosemide oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with furosemide.

Drug classes or drugs that may interact with furosemide oral tablet include:

  • aminoglycoside antibiotics:
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
    • drug examples: indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, others)
    • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of furosemide and the NSAID
  • ethacrynic acid (Edecrin):
    • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of furosemide and ethacrynic acid
  • lithium (Lithobid):
    • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of lithium
  • sucralfate (Carafate):
    • what might happen: can make furosemide less effective
  • phenytoin (Dilantin):
    • what might happen: can make furosemide less effective
  • methotrexate (Trexall, others):
    • what might happen: can increase the effect and risk of side effects from furosemide and methotrexate
  • cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf):
    • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of furosemide and cyclosporine
  • cisplatin:
    • what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of furosemide and cisplatin

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When to avoid furosemide

Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with furosemide oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe furosemide in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.

Here’s a list of contraindications for furosemide oral tablet:

  • Anuria. If you currently have anuria, furosemide may not work as intended or may not work at all. (With anuria, your kidneys don’t produce urine.) Also, if you’re experiencing anuria and take furosemide, you may have a higher risk of side effects from furosemide.
  • Past allergic reaction to furosemide. If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to furosemide oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.

Before you start taking furosemide, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take furosemide.

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Other interactions and furosemide

Interactions can occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether furosemide oral tablet has these interactions.

The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with furosemide.

Furosemide and food

Furosemide oral tablet isn’t known to have interactions with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking furosemide oral tablet.

Furosemide and supplements

Before taking furosemide oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.

Furosemide oral tablet may interact with germanium supplements. Germanium has been promoted for numerous uses, including for immune system support. Taking furosemide oral tablet and a supplement that contains germanium may raise the risk of kidney-related side effects of furosemide and germanium.

If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Furosemide interactions with herbs

Furosemide oral tablet may interact with numerous herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine. Some people use traditional Chinese medicine and related herbs as an alternative or complement to allopathic (“modern”) medicine.

Examples of herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine that can interact with furosemide include:

Taking furosemide and these herbs may lead to kidney-related side effects. This is because furosemide and these herbs may cause these effects when taken on their own.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking furosemide oral tablet.

Furosemide interactions with vitamins and minerals

Furosemide oral tablet may interact with chromium. This mineral is often used for managing metabolism, such as supporting usual blood sugar levels.

Taking furosemide oral tablet and a supplement that contains chromium may raise the risk of kidney-related side effects from furosemide and chromium. Chromium may be found on its own in supplements and may be included in multivitamins.

Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking furosemide oral tablet.

Furosemide and vaccines

Furosemide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking furosemide oral tablet.

Furosemide and lab tests

Furosemide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking furosemide oral tablet.

Furosemide and cannabis or CBD

Furosemide oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.

As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with furosemide.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Alcohol and furosemide

Furosemide oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.

Taking furosemide oral tablet and drinking alcohol raises your risk of low blood pressure, including low blood pressure when standing up. This side effect can lead to falls or other serious injuries.

If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking furosemide oral tablet.

Health factors and furosemide

Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with furosemide oral tablet. Before taking furosemide, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether furosemide is right for you.

These health conditions or other factors might interact with furosemide oral tablet:

Preventing furosemide interactions

You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with furosemide oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.

Things to consider include:

  • whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis
  • other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements (Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.)
  • what to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking furosemide oral tablet

Taking furosemide exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.

What to ask your doctor

If you have questions about furosemide and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.

Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:

  • Are interactions of furosemide similar to other loop diuretics, such as bumetanide?
  • Do I need to take my medications at different times throughout the day to avoid interactions?
  • Does my furosemide dosage affect my risk of interactions?

Boxed warning for furosemide

Furosemide has a boxed warning for the risk of fluid loss. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Furosemide is a strong diuretic (water pill). Taking too much furosemide can lead to excessive fluid loss. This can cause dehydration, which can lead to low blood pressure. Excessive fluid loss can also cause electrolyte (mineral) loss. This can cause problems, such as low blood potassium level.

Some symptoms of excessive fluid loss to watch for include dry mouth, dizziness, and fatigue (low energy).

To lower your risk of fluid loss, take furosemide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not adjust your furosemide dose on your own. Your doctor will closely monitor you for excessive fluid loss while you’re taking furosemide.

To learn more, talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.

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