Furosemide
Classification: AATC code: C03CA01
Summary
The diuretic effect of furosemid is similar in women and men.
Additional information
Pharmacokinetics and dosing
The renal clearance of furosemide after intravenous administration in older healthy men (60-70 years of age) has been shown to be lower than in younger healthy men (20-35 years of age). No information of clearance in women was reported [1]. No studies with a clinically relevant sex analysis regarding the dosing of furosemide have been found.
Effects
Diuretic response to oral (80 mg) and intravenous (40 mg over 2 min) furosemide was measured in healthy volunteers (6 men, 6 women) in a randomized, cross-over study. No clinically relevant sex differences in diuretic response, urine flow rate, potassium excretion rate and natriuretic response were found [2].
Adverse effects
Associations between loop diuretics and fracture risk have been reported. In a population-based case-control register study (89 255 men, 169 555 women), all prescriptions for loop diuretics were identified among fracture cases and control redeemed within 5 years before the date of hospitalization of cases. Men and women taking loop diuretics had a similar pattern on risk of fracture [3].
Reproductive health issues
Regarding teratogenic aspects, please consult Janusmed Drugs and Birth Defects (in Swedish, Janusmed fosterpåverkan).
Other information
A randomized clinical trial (620 men, 239 women) investigated the effects of low-dose furosemide (20 mg slow injection) on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN). The incidence of CIN in furosemide-treated females was higher compared with men (8.5% vs. 7.9%). For both sexes, the incidence in the control group was higher compared with the furosemide group [4].
Updated: 2020-08-28
Date of litterature search: 2019-03-06
References
- Lasix (furosemide). DailyMed [www]. US National Library of Medicine. [updated 2018-05-31, cited 2019-03-06]. länk
- Franson KL, Kuk JM, Lam NP, Lau AH. Gender effect on diuretic response to hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1996;34:101-5. PubMed
- Rejnmark L, Vestergaard P, Mosekilde L. Fracture risk in patients treated with loop diuretics. J Intern Med. 2006;259:117-24. PubMed
- Gu GQ, Lu R, Cui W, Liu F, Zhang Y, Yang XH et al. Low-dose furosemide administered with adequate hydration reduces contrast-induced nephropathy in patients undergoing coronary angiography. Cardiology. 2013;125:69-73. PubMed
- Läkemedelsstatistik. Stockholm: Socialstyrelsen. 2018 [cited 2019-03-08.] länk
Reviewed by: Mia von Euler
Approved by: Karin Schenck-Gustafsson