Lasix vs. Thiazides

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

Lasix (furosemide) and thiazides are types of diuretics (water pills) used to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. They may also be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

Lasix is an anthranilic acid derivative that is a type of loop diuretic while thiazides are another class of diuretic. A difference is that loop diuretics are more potent than thiazides.

Examples of thiazides include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), indapamide (Lozol), hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril), methyclothiazide (Enduron), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn, Diulo, Mykrox).

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 Thiazides include:

• itching,
• weakness,
• dizziness, and
• stomach pain or upset

Lasix (thiazides) 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).

Thiazides are types of diuretics (water pills) used to treat excessive fluid accumulation (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, liver failure, renal failure, and nephritic syndrome. They may also be used with antihypertensive drugs to control high blood pressure (hypertension).

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.

Thiazides may interact with lithium.

Thiazides may also interact with digoxin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and dofetilide.

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.

The usual adult dosage of thiazides for edema is 500 mg to 1000 mg (10 mL to 20 mL) once or twice a day. The usual adult starting dosage for hypertension is 500 mg or 1000 mg (10 mL to 20 mL) a day as a single or divided dose. Pediatric dose is determined by the child's weight.