Saturday, August 20, 2011

Lasix for Your Heart and Blood Pressure Problems

Heart and blood pressure: An Introduction

Several heart disorders like congestive cardiac failure and blood pressure; can be life threatening and need to be treated cautiously to avoid any complications. In congestive cardiac failure or CCF, the functions of the heart are hampered due to fluid overload. Due to improper contractions of the cardiac muscles, the blood supply to various parts of the body like the kidneys, liver and brain is reduced. As the kidneys do not receive enough blood supply, they compensate by retaining more water in the body. This further aggravates the condition because the fluid overload on the heart is aggravated due to water retention.

Similarly, in high blood pressure, there is increased tension along the walls of the arteries. This could be a result of fluid overload in the body. Hence, for  proper treatment of these conditions, it is essential to tackle the root cause of the condition, which is fluid overload. Keeping the fluid content of the body under control can help in managing these conditions effectively.

Diuretic Action of Generic Lasix

Lasix is a loop diuretic. It helps in removing the excess water from the body with its action of increasing production of urine. Lasix has an action on the kidney function, by which it increases the filtration of salts like sodium and potassium from the blood to the urine. The filtration of sodium leads to increased filtration of water along with it as salt is hygroscopic in nature. As more fluid is secreted in the urine and thrown out via urination, Lasix helps in reducing the fluid overload in the body.

Generic Lasix Usage Instructions, Warnings and Precautions

Lasix is effectively used in treating conditions that involve excessive fluid retention in body. It is indicated in the treatment of heart conditions like congestive cardiac failure and high blood pressure and also for treating pulmonary edema, liver cirrhosis and kidney failure. The dose recommended for Lasix for treatment of high blood pressure is 40 mg, 2 times in a day. The dose may have to be adjusted depending upon the initial response to the medicine.

In case of other disorders involving fluid retention, Lasix should be prescribed in a dose of 20 mg to be taken 3 - 4 times in a day. While some patients need to take Lasix everyday, some may need to take it only when they notice edema or suffer from symptoms of water retention. It should be used with caution by patients suffering from difficulty in passing urine, prostate enlargement, diabetes, gout, and hypoproteinemia.

Generic Lasix Strengths and Other Information

Lasix can cause drug interaction when used along with other medicines like enalapril, prazosin, propranolol, verapamil, nifedipine, clonidine and benzodiazepines. Patients should inform the physician if they are using these medicines, before they start taking treatment with Lasix 40mg. Generic Lasix can cause some serious side effects in patients. Some of the side effects of this medicine are reduced levels of calcium, potassium and sodium in the blood, headache, drowsiness, weakness, hypotension, dehydration, problems with hearing, increased levels of blood sugar, dizziness and numbness in the arms. Some rare side effects of this medicine are increase in the level of uric acid in blood, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain in abdomen, skin rash and photosensitivity. Patients should inform the doctor immediately if they notice any of the above mentioned side effects of this medicine.

This medicine is available in the form of tablets, liquid and injections. Lasix tablets are available in the strength of lasix 20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg strengths. Liquid Lasix can be purchased in strengths of 10 mg/5 mL and 40 mg/5 mL. Injection Lasix is meant for use in hospitalized patients.

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