The NHS advises certain people to speak with their GP before taking a common blood pressure medicine. The medication, which is used across all age groups, was dispensed around 11 million times in 2024.
Furosemide, a diuretic, helps lower blood pressure by reducing excess fluid and salt in the body. It is considered a second-line treatment and is often used when medications such as thiazide are not effective. However, the NHS says that eight groups of people should chat with their doctor before taking the medication to ensure it’s safe for them.
As reported by the Mirror, as well as anyone who shows signs of dehydration, the following people should consult their GP prior to taking furosemide:
- Anyone who has ever had an allergic reaction to furosemide or any other medicine
- Anyone experiencing low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Anyone displaying signs of dehydration, such as being thirsty, having a dry mouth and dark pee
- Anyone diagnosed with liver disease
- Anyone diagnosed with diabetes
- Anyone who struggles to urinate
- Anyone diagnosed with Addison’s disease, a rare disorder of the adrenal glands
- Anyone diagnosed with gout
The NHS adds that anyone due to have a glucose test, a test involving a dye containing iodine being injected into your blood, or a major operation should also speak with their doctor.
The health service says online: “Diuretics are sometimes called ‘water tablets’ because they make you pee more. This helps get rid of extra fluid in your body.
“Furosemide is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually only done in hospital.”
People taking furosemide should also be mindful when combining it with other medications. According to the NHS, anyone prescribed the drug should speak with their doctor before taking the following:
- Painkillers known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including diclofenac, ibuprofen or naproxen
- Medicines that can change the level of potassium in your blood, such as potassium supplements, steroids, or other diuretics
- Medicines to treat, or which have the side effect of, an irregular heartbeat, including amiodarone, digoxin, disopyramide, flecainide or sotalol
- Soluble paracetamol
- Soluable co-codamol
- Certain remedies for heartburn and indigestion
- Medicines used to treat mental health problems, such as amisulpride, lithium, pimozide or risperidone
- Medicines that treat high blood pressure, or those that have a side effect of low blood pressure
- A medicine used to treat ulcers, called sucralfate, leave about two hours between the time you take furosemide and sucralfate
The NHS adds: “Tell your doctor if you are taking any potassium supplements. These change the levels of potassium in your blood and can affect the way furosemide works.
“There’s not enough information to say that other herbal remedies or supplements are safe to take with furosemide. They’re not tested in the same way as pharmacy and prescription medicines. They’re generally not tested for the effect they have on other medicines.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
