Furosemide Blood Pressure Medicine

Furosemide (
 Lasix®) is a prescription medication commonly used for controlling high blood pressure. It can also be used to treat fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney failure.
 
The medication works by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is then passed out through the urine. By increasing the amount of water removed from the blood, furosemide causes a decrease in blood volume. Because of this effect, it can lower blood pressure and help with water retention.
 
When used as a blood pressure medicine, furosemide has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. By lowering blood pressure, this medication can decrease the risk of developing health problems (such as a stroke, heart disease, or congestive heart failure) that can occur with long-term hypertension. However, furosemide is not a cure for high blood pressure.
 
(Click Furosemide to learn more about the effects of this medicine on blood pressure, information on when and how to take it, and what you should discuss with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.)
 
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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