Furosemide

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Furosemide

Furosemide (pronounced: fyoor-OH-seh-mide) is a potent diuretic (water pill) that is used to eliminate water and salt from the body. In the kidneys, salt (composed of primarily sodium and chloride), water, and other small molecules are filtered out of the blood and into the tubules of the kidney. The filtered fluid ultimately becomes urine.

Etymology

The term "Furosemide" is derived from the components of its chemical name, 4-chloro-N-furfuryl-5-sulfamoylanthranilic acid. The "furo" part of the name is taken from "furfuryl", and "semide" is a contraction of "sulfamoylanthranilic acid".

Usage

Furosemide is used to treat edema (fluid retention) that occurs with congestive heart failure and disorders of the liver and kidney. It is also used to manage high blood pressure (hypertension).

Mechanism of Action

Furosemide works by blocking the absorption of sodium, chloride, and water from the filtered fluid in the kidney tubules, causing a profound increase in the output of urine (diuresis).

Related Terms

  • Diuretic: A substance that promotes diuresis, i.e., the increased production of urine.
  • Edema: A condition characterized by an excess of watery fluid collecting in the cavities or tissues of the body.
  • Congestive heart failure: A chronic condition in which the heart doesn't pump blood as well as it should.
  • Hypertension: A condition in which the force of the blood against the artery walls is too high.

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