Before you takeDo not take Furosemide tablets if you:

• are allergic (hypersensitive) to furosemide, other sulfonamiderelated drugs or any of the other ingredients in Furosemide tablets

• have severe kidney damage which has stopped them workingproperly and producing urine

• have very low levels of potassium, sodium or other electrolytesin your blood or low blood volume (your doctor will be able toadvise you)

• are dehydrated

• have low blood pressure

• take potassium supplements or potassium sparing diuretics forhigh blood pressure (e.g. amiloride or spironolactone)

• have liver cirrhosis (tiredness, weakness, water retention, feeling orbeing sick, loss of weight or appetite, yellowing skin or eyes, itch ) orliver encephalopathy (confusion, altered levels of consciousnessand coma as a result of liver failure)

• have Addison’s disease (low levels of corticosteroid hormonessecreted)

• have digitalis poisoning (feeling or being sick, high levels ofpotassium in the blood, slow, fast or irregular heart beats).

• are breast-feedingCheck with your doctor or pharmacist before takingFurosemide tablets if you have:

• low blood volume (hypovolaemia) or are at risk of developing low blood pressure

• low levels of protein in the blood (hypoproteinaemia) as a result of kidney damage

• liver congestion (slowed blood flow through the vessels) or other liver problems

• kidney problems

• or may have diabetes. If you are taking insulin, your doctor may need to adjust your insulin dosage

• are elderly, if you are on other medications which can cause the drop of blood pressure and if you have other medical conditions that are risks for the drop of blood pressure

• prostate trouble or difficulty passing urine

• or have had gout

• have an abnormal blood condition

• are about to undergo any blood or urine testsYour doctor will want to monitor you, and may take blood for testing while you are taking this medicine.Taking other medicinesPlease tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. Especially:

• drugs to lower blood pressure, such as ACE inhibitors, renininhibitors, alpha blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics,phenothiazines

• drugs to treat mental illness (e.g. pimozide, amisulpride,sertindole)

• drugs for arrhythmias (e.g. sotalol, amiodarone, flecanide)• digoxin for your heart

• moxisylte for Raynaud’s syndrome

• nitrates (for angina)• lithium for depression or mania

• sucralfate for stomach ulcers

• colestyramine or colestipol for high cholesterol

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) e.g. ibuprofen ornaproxen

• aspirin for pain

• antibiotics for infections that affect your kidneys or ears (e.g.cefaclor, colistin, gentamicin, vancomycin)

• amphoterecin (to treat fungal infections)• chloral hydrate (to treat insomnia)

• antidepressants (e.g. monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs))

• medicines to control diabetes such as insulin or tablets

• antiepileptics e.g. phenytoin or carbamazepine

• corticosteroids or antihistamines (to treat allergic reactions)

• drugs for ADHD

• drugs treating cancer e.g. aldesleukin

• levodopa (for Parkinson’s disease)• oral contraceptives

• alprostadil for erectile dysfunction

• certain treatments for asthma such as theophylline or salbutamol

• probenecid to prevent gout

• laxatives used over a long period of time• medicines or foods containing liquorice

• if you are about to undergo a procedure where curariform musclerelaxants (e.g. vercuronium) or anaesthetics may be used, tell youranaesthetist/dentist or healthcare professionalFurosemide and alcoholYou should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Furosemide tablets as this may lower your blood pressure further.

Pregnancy and breast-feedingSpeak to your doctor before you take Furosemide tablets if you are pregnant, thinking of getting pregnant, or breast-feedingDriving and using machinesDo not drive or operate machinery if you feel less alert after takingFurosemide tablets.Important information about some of the ingredients inFurosemide tabletsYour medicine contains lactose; do not take Furosemide tablets if you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to a sugar called lactose.3 How to takeAlways take Furosemide tablets exactly as your doctor has told you.If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist.Swallow the tablets with a glass of water.Doses:• Adults and children over 12 years:Water retention: the usual starting dose is 40mg in the morning, then20mg a day or 40mg on alternate days. Up to 80mg a day may be given.High blood pressure: 20-40mg twice a day.• Elderly: may be reduced in this age group.• Children under 12 years: a more suitable dosage form is used in this age group.Dosage adjustment may be necessary in patients with:• hypo proteinaemia• liver congestion/dysfunctionIf you take more than you shouldIf you take more medicine than your doctor has told you to, contact a doctor or your nearest hospital casualty department immediately and take your Furosemide tablets with you. Symptoms of an overdose included hydration and changes in the levels of certain chemicals in the blood.If you forget to take the tabletsIf you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as you remember. Then take your next dose at the normal time. Do not take double the amount to make up for a forgotten dose.If you stop taking Furosemide tabletsSpeak to your doctor before you stop taking Furosemide tablets.