Lasix vs. Demadex

• Are Demadex and Lasix the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Lasix?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Demadex?
• What Is Lasix?
• What Is Demadex?
• What Drugs Interact with Lasix?
• What Drugs Interact with Demadex?
• How Should Lasix Be Taken?
• How Should Demadex Be Taken?

Lasix (furosemide) and Demadex (torsemide) are diuretics ("water pills") used to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. Lasix and Demadex are also used to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Side effects of Lasix and Demadex that are similar include increased urination, dizziness, diarrhea, stomach pain or upset, and constipation.

Side effects of Lasix that are different from Demadex include thirst, muscle cramps, itching or rash, weakness, and spinning sensation.

Side effects of Demadex that are different from Lasix include nausea, headache, joint pain, cough, runny or stuffy nose, decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm.

Both Lasix and Demadex may interact with ethacrynic acid, lithium, antibiotics, salicylates such as aspirin, and steroids.

Lasix may also interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, methotrexate, phenytoin, heart or blood pressure medications, and laxatives.

Demadex may also interact with cholestyramine, probenecid, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Common side effects of Lasix include:

• increased urination,
• thirst,
• muscle cramps,
• itching or rash,
• weakness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• diarrhea,
• stomach pain, and
• constipation.

Serious side effects of Lasix include:

• dehydration,
• dark urine,
• clay-colored stools,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• fever,
• jaundice (yellowing of skin or eyes),
• electrolyte abnormalities,
• loss of appetite, and
• rapid weight loss.

Common side effects of Demadex include:

• increased or excessive urination,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• stomach upset,
• headache,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• joint pain,
• cough,
• runny or stuffy nose,
• decreased sex drive,
• impotence, or
• difficulty having an orgasm.

Serious side effects include:

• low blood pressure,
• low blood potassium,
• electrolyte disorders,
• lightheadedness and fainting,
• atrial fibrillation,
• ventricular fibrillation,
• liver disease, and
• skin swelling due to allergic reaction.

Lasix (furosemide) is an anthranilic acid derivative that is used as a strong diuretic in adults and children to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. Lasix may be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Demadex (torsemide) is a diuretic used to reduce edema (swelling) from multiple causes and also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Demadex is available as a generic.

Lasix may interact with lithium or steroids.

Lasix may also interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, methotrexate, phenytoin, antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, laxatives, or salicylates such as aspirin.

Demadex may interact with cholestyramine, ethacrynic acid, lithium, probenecid, antibiotics, salicylates such as aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Demadex; it is not expected to harm a fetus. It is unknown if Demadex passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Adequate studies of Demadex have not been done in pregnant or breast-feeding women. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients has not been established for Demadex.

Lasix is available in tablet (20 to 80 mg) and IV forms. Dosage is determined by the patient's physician and varies according to how much fluid and how fast the fluid should be removed. Patients with poor renal function usually require higher doses; doses in children are weight-based. Lasix may interact with sucralfate, cisplatin, cyclosporine, ethacrynic acid, lithium, methotrexate, phenytoin, antibiotics, heart or blood pressure medications, laxatives, salicylates such as aspirin, or steroids. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using Lasix; it is unknown if it will harm a fetus. Lasix passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Lasix may also slow breast milk production. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Demadex (torsemide) is available in tablets in strengths of 5, 10, 20, or 100mg. Doseage usually starts at 5 – 20mg, depending on the cause of edema or hypertension.