Furosemide

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 the Drugs and Birth Defects Database (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].