How to take furosemide for puffy eyes

Furosemide for edema is considered the most effective way to combat the problem. The medication helps remove excess fluid from the body. It is regularly prescribed for the treatment of hypertensive pathologies.

The medication is used to treat swelling of various etiologies. Before use, it is important to study the instructions with contraindications, this will help avoid the development of negative symptoms. The drug should be taken strictly according to the indicated dosage, subject to all doctor’s recommendations.

About the drug

Furosemide is a diuretic drug that stimulates kidney activity. Due to the peculiarities of the mechanism of action, edema disappears quickly, since in a short period it helps to remove a huge amount of salt and liquid from the body.

Diuretics help quickly and effectively relieve swelling from the face, legs, arms, and other parts of the body. However, it should be taken into account that in addition to fluid, potassium and magnesium ions are removed from the body. Therefore, the drug is taken comprehensively under the supervision of a doctor. The effectiveness of the medication directly depends on the correct dosage.

The therapeutic effect is observed an hour after taking Furosemide tablet form and 5 minutes after using the injection. The main disadvantage of the drug is that the therapeutic effect is observed for a short time. It is usually prescribed if the edema has a cardiac or renal etiology.

Analogs

If for any reason it is necessary to replace Furosemide, the doctor can select alternative medications for the patient that are similar in their mechanism of action. To get off Furosemide, you should pay attention to the following diuretics:

If there is swelling in the legs, it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner to make an accurate diagnosis and choose the optimal, most effective treatment method. Furosemide is the best remedy to combat swelling, especially if your legs are swollen.

Self-medication is not recommended, since the drug has side effects that, if the dosage or method of use is incorrectly selected, can lead to irreparable consequences and negatively affect the overall health.

Composition and release forms

Before taking the drug, you need to familiarize yourself with its composition:

  • furosemide – 40;
  • milk sugar;
  • food emulsifier E572;
  • corn starch.

The medicine is produced in the form of tablets, in ampoules for injection (intramuscular, intravenous), as well as granules for oral administration.

Contraindications

Like other medications, this medicine has certain contraindications that must be taken into account before use:

  • individual intolerance to any component included in the medication;
  • renal failure at the acute stage;
  • hepatic encephalopathy;
  • dysfunctions of the urinary system;
  • hypovolemia, dehydration;
  • decompensated hypokalemia, hyponatremia;
  • breastfeeding period;
  • pregnancy;
  • lactase deficiency, galactosemia, glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome;
  • simultaneous use with lithium;
  • hepatitis, hepatocellular failure, hemodialysis.

Classification of diuretics

The most common use of diuretic drugs is in the presence of hypertension, heart failure and kidney problems that cause swelling of the extremities.

They are produced in the form of tablets and capsules, but can also be used as injections for rapidly progressing swelling, which must be removed immediately.

An alternative may be safe folk diuretics, which do not have side effects, but may still be contraindicated for use, for example, due to individual intolerance to the components included in the product.

Pursuing the goal of losing weight, many women want to take some kind of diuretic drug, thereby removing fluid from the body and losing a certain amount of weight.

It is important to understand here that even if you take strong diuretics, you will lose a few kilograms, but this will not last long, the effect will be short-lived and the body will begin to rapidly replenish its water balance. In addition, if you are dehydrated, you will be thirsty, you will start drinking heavily and gain the pounds back, but harm will still be done to the body.

Diuretics are classified according to their mechanism of action, composition, and speed of onset/duration of effect.

By speed

Action speedEffect onset timeRepresentatives
Fast diureticsThe effect occurs within 15-30 minutes, with intravenous administration after 5 minutes. The effect lasts up to 8 hours. Furosemide Ethacrynic acid Mannitol Torasemide Triamterene
AverageThey work in 1-2 hours and last up to 14 hours.Diacarb Amiloride
SlowEffect after 2 days, duration of exposure is about 4 days.Spironolactone (Veroshpiron, Aldactone) Eplerenone

By strength of effect

Based on the strength of their effect, there are 3 main groups of diuretics.

GroupDescriptionRepresentatives
LungsThese are drugs prescribed in gynecology to eliminate swelling of the extremities in expectant mothers. They are also given to children and elderly patients to relieve blood pressure. Decoctions of medicinal herbs, osmotic diuretics that remove water retained in the body and potassium-retaining medications - Veroshpiron, Triamterene, Diacarb.
AverageThe results from taking these medications come within 20 minutes, maximum an hour after taking them. Action time is from 7 to 15 hours. Prescribed for the complex treatment of hypertension, chronic cardiac edema, diabetes, kidney stones and glaucoma. Thiazide drugs - Hypothiazide, Cyclomethiazide, Oxodolin, Gigroton.
StrongThese are medications that begin to act quickly. Most often they are made in the form of injections and are prescribed for cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, chemical poisoning, etc. Lasix, Spironolactone, Mannitol, Furosemide, Trifas, Uregit (ethacrynic acid), Bumetanide.

According to this criterion, the following diuretic drugs are distinguished:

  • drugs that produce results at the cellular level in the nephrons - mercury diuretics (Eplerenone, Indapamide, etc.);
  • medications that increase the volume of blood flowing in the kidneys (Aminophylline, Euphylline);
  • plants and preparations based on them - birch buds, bearberry foliage, strawberries.

Based on their composition, diuretics are saluretics (loop, thiazide, sulfonamides, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors), potassium-sparing and osmotic. Let's look at each of these groups in more detail.

Herbal medicines are prescribed very often due to their harmlessness and lack of side effects. They can be used by older people, children and women during pregnancy. The most famous anti-edema tablets with herbal ingredients:

  • Canephron;
  • Flaronin;
  • Cyston;
  • Nephrolepin.

Despite the absence of undesirable consequences, herbal medicines may be contraindicated if:

  • the presence of individual intolerance to the components included in the medicine;
  • the presence of an allergic reaction to the components of the drug;

therefore, even before using them, consultation with a specialist is mandatory, and independent use is not allowed.

Expectant mothers often experience leg swelling during pregnancy. They are especially pronounced in the last stages of the 3rd trimester. In some cases, long rest and raising the limbs above the level of the heart can help get rid of edema. But there are situations when it is simply impossible to cope with swelling without taking medications.

Additionally, pregnant women are advised to review their diet, remove pickles and smoked foods from it, reduce salt intake, and add diuretic products. Cranberry juice has an excellent effect, which expectant mothers who have problems with swelling can drink instead of water. But you need to be careful with herbal preparations, since not all medicinal plants are allowed during pregnancy, some of them can cause a miscarriage.

It is better to incline your choice towards well-known companies, they are more widespread and time-tested. The rating of manufacturers of diuretic tablets is as follows:

  1. Euroframe;
  2. Biosynthesis;
  3. Organics;
  4. Hemofarm;
  5. Sandoz.

In almost every pharmacy you can find drugs from the listed companies.

In mild cases, there is no need to take medications to eliminate swelling; it is quite enough to include diuretic foods in your diet, reduce the amount of table salt consumed and replace tea with diuretic compounds that have a weak diuretic effect. This approach to the diet will help get rid of swelling of the face and limbs, but only when they are caused by poor nutrition, a love of pickles and simple fatigue.

Tea made from chamomile, horsetail, lingonberry leaves, bear's ears, chicory, burdock, knotweed and other herbs is good for removing fluid from the body. You can also brew rose hips, parsley roots and eat all the greens available in the garden.

Vegetables and fruits help in the fight against edema, which are best consumed during their natural ripening season. These can be melons, cucumbers, pineapples, celery, etc. Baked potatoes have interesting properties; they are rich in potassium and at the same time remove water well. For those who want to lose weight by eliminating excess fluid from the body, a potato diet is proposed, according to which you need to bake 1 kg of unpeeled potatoes and eat it throughout the day, washing it down with spring water. In 3 days of the diet you will lose 3 kg and swelling will disappear.

Diuretic tablets are needed to eliminate swelling on the body, which can occur anywhere. Using diuretic tablets is always preferable to other means, especially if stagnation of fluid in the body occurs for reasons:

  • Kidney diseases
  • Heart failure
  • Hypertension

List of tablets:

  • Triamterene - its advantage is that it quickly “removes” swelling. The drug is safe in that it does not affect potassium metabolism in the body (this is important for people with cardiovascular diseases).
  • Veroshpiron is an effective drug for large swelling. “Deletes” quickly. It can be taken throughout the day, unlike other tablets that must be taken in the morning.
  • Dichlorothiazide - the drug is allowed even during pregnancy. Eliminates swelling due to stagnation in the body. The action comes within a few hours. You can't drink it every day.
  • Furosemide - quickly eliminates swelling of any nature in any part of the body. The effect can be expected within a few minutes. The drug is approved for kidney failure. Often used in emergency situations.
  • Uregit - the drug is not effective if you have hypertension. The effect occurs within an hour. It is used when other means are not effective.
  • Diacarb - affects the functioning of the kidneys, causing them to produce more urine. The drug should not be used for a long time.
  • Trifas - perfectly eliminates swelling on the face. The drug does not provoke metabolic disorders in the body. It has a mild diuretic effect for about 12 hours. Drink in the morning.


DiureticsDiuretics: tablets
Useful herbs:

  • Milk thistle has a mild but not long-lasting diuretic effect and therefore should be taken for a long time (even hourly in small portions). Milk thistle seeds should be boiled by adding water and boiling it until a concentrate is obtained.
  • Thyme – tea made from the thyme herb is very effective for relieving puffiness. It is important to collect thyme during the flowering period and drink it three times a day.
  • Calendula - gently removes excess fluid from the body, but has many contraindications, such as pregnancy. Drink only a decoction of calendula flowers.
  • Horsetail is a herb rich in beneficial substances. That is why horsetail decoction is an excellent diuretic for people and the elderly.
  • Birch – you should drink fresh birch sap. It removes excess water from the body and stimulates metabolism.
  • Linden – Linden tea will have a mild and effective diuretic complex property.
  • Melissa is a mild diuretic. Should be drunk as a tea from the leaves. Not advisable for hypertension.
  • St. John's wort is an effective diuretic and also a drug for kidney stones.
  • Flax seeds quickly and effectively remove stagnant fluid from the body.
  • Cinnamon – stimulates the kidneys, causing them to remove excess fluid from the body. Contraindicated for hypertension.
  • Valerian is a weak diuretic
  • Mother and stepmother - the decoction has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
  • Sage - a decoction of the leaves has a strong diuretic property. Sage is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation.
  • Juniper is an effective diuretic and can be used to treat inflammatory processes in the urinary tract.
  • Oregano – has effective diuretic and choleretic properties.
  • Motherwort is a diuretic with many other beneficial properties for the body.

Diuretic herbs
Diuretic herbs

How to take it correctly for swelling

To relieve swelling, the dosage and method of application are selected individually and only under the supervision of an experienced specialist.

The packaging with the medicine must contain instructions for use, which are important to read before starting treatment.

Traditionally, therapy takes about 10 days.

Usually you need to take furosemide once a day, one tablet. The procedure is carried out in the morning on an empty stomach. In some cases, it is permissible to increase the dosage. In severe forms of swelling, it is important to observe the interval prescribed by the doctor between taking the medicine (usually 6-8 hours). If there is a weakening or, conversely, an increase in symptoms, you need to consult a doctor to adjust the treatment.

Sometimes the patient needs to take Asparkam - the medicine helps to neutralize the negative consequences of using Furosemide, namely, to improve the level of potassium and magnesium in the body.

Furosemide: reviews for edema

Doctors evaluate this drug as a very effective remedy for eliminating swelling, but prescribe it with caution due to significant side effects. Without fail, the specialist also prescribes electrolyte balance-maintaining therapy with Asparkam or Panangin. Reviews of men and women who have taken this medicine will help you finally understand how effective Furosemide is for swelling on the face.

Victor, 56 years old: “I have problems with my kidneys, which is why my blood pressure is constantly elevated and my body is very swollen. I periodically take Furosemide along with magnesium and potassium. The swelling disappears almost instantly, but you constantly feel weakness in the muscles, and when you get out of bed, your vision becomes dark and you feel dizzy. Therefore, I try to use it only in particularly severe cases.”

Tatyana, 23 years old: “I took furosemide for swelling under the eyes that appeared every morning. I did this not on the recommendation of a doctor, but on the advice of a friend, so I didn’t even think about the side effects. Anti-edema pills really helped, but at the same time my health worsened. When I finally went to the clinic, I found out that the drug was potent and should not be taken that way.”

Oksana, 45 years old: “Due to thrombosis, my legs constantly swell and I have to take diuretics. Furosemide helps best, but you have to take Asparkam at the same time to avoid side effects.”

Use for children

Therapy for children is somewhat different from treatment for adults. The dosage is determined based on age, body weight, and severity of the disease. Children under three years of age are prescribed 4 mg of the drug per 1 kg of weight. After the symptoms have subsided, the dosage and duration of treatment are adjusted. If the child has not previously been treated with diuretics, the dosage is increased gradually.

How to choose

The choice of diuretic depends on medical indications, chronic diseases, and a tendency to allergies. Before starting the course, it is important to minimize the risk of side effects and dehydration of the body, to exclude the excretion of valuable microelements along with urine, and disruption of the functioning of internal organs.

Mechanism of action

Diuretics for swelling under the eyes reduce pressure, accelerate the excretion of sodium and water through the kidneys, and eliminate aesthetic defects. There are 3 classes of diuretics:

  • Saluretics - in addition to excess fluid, remove potassium and magnesium, which are vital for the functioning of internal organs, from the body.
  • Potassium-sparing agents prevent intense loss of the microelement against the backdrop of a pronounced diuretic effect.
  • Osmotic drugs in the form of intravenous injections are prescribed for acute conditions (cerebral edema).

Efficiency

When choosing a medicine, it is important to consider its reliability, the speed of onset of the diuretic effect and the duration of action. Classification and brief characteristics of drugs:

  • Fast diuretics begin to work 30 minutes after administration, the effect of medium ones is noticeable after 2 hours, and weak ones - 2 days after the start of the course.
  • Diuretics with a long-term effect work for 4 days, medium-term ones - up to 14 hours, short-acting drugs - up to 8 hours.
  • Furosemide and Lasix are considered strong in effectiveness; medium – Hypothiazide; weak - Veroshpiron, Diacarb.
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