Composition

Each tablet contains: Furosemide 20 or 40 mg.

Each 2 ml or 4 ml ampoule contains: Furosemide 20 or 40 mg.

Clinical Pharmacological

Lafurex® inhibits primarily the absorption of sodium and chloride not only in the proximal and distal tubules but also in the loop of Henle. The high degree of efficacy is largely due to the unique site of action.

The onset of diuresis following oral administration is within 1 hour (intravenously, a diuretic effect is seen almost immediately). The peak effect occurs within the first or second hour.

The duration of diuretic effect is 6 to 8 hours.In fasted normal men, the mean bioavailability of Lafurex® tablets is 64% and the terminal half-life is approximately 2 hours with significant excretion in urine.

Furosemide is extensively bound to plasma proteins, mainly to albumin.

Contraindications

Lafurex® is contraindicated in patients with anuria and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to furosemide.

Indications

1-Edema: Lafurex® is indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema whatever its cause (acute pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome).

2-Hypertension: Lafurex® is indicated in the treatment of hypertension alone or in combination with other antihypertensive agents.

3-Chronic congestive cardiac failure.

4-Hypercalcemia.

Precautions

Hypokalemia – Hyperglycemia – Dehydration – Circulatory collapse – Fluid or electrolyte imbalance.

Pregnancy: Lafurex® could be used during pregnancy or to nursing mother only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Drug interactions

Aminoglycoside: may increase the ototoxic potential risk.
Acetylsalicylic acid: may experience salicylate toxicity.

Dosage

1-Lafurex dosage for Edema

Therapy should be individualized according to patient response to gain maximal therapeutic response and to determine the minimal dose needed to maintain that response.

Lafurex dosage for Adults with Edema

The usual initial dose of Lafurex® is 20 to 80 mg given as a single dose. If needed, the same dose can be administered 6 to 8 hours later.

Maintenance dose is 20 mg daily or 40 mg on alternate days, increased in resistant edema to 80 mg daily or more.

The dose of Lafurex® may be carefully titrated up to 600 mg/day in patients with clinically severe edematous states.

When doses exceeding 80 mg/day are given for prolonged periods, careful clinical observation and laboratory monitoring are particularly advisable.

Lafurex Paediatric dosage for Edema

The usual initial dose of oral Lafurex® in pediatric patients is 2 mg/kg, given as a single dose. If the diuretic response is not satisfactory after the initial dose, dosage may be increased by 1 or 2 mg/kg 6 to 8 hours after the previous dose. Doses greater than 6 mg/kg are not recommended.

For maintenance therapy in pediatric patients, the dose should be adjusted to the minimum effective level.

2-Lafurex dosage for Hypertension

Lafurex adult dosage in Hypertension

The usual initial dose of Lafurex® for hypertension is 80 mg, usually divided into 40 mg twice a day.

Dosage should then be adjusted according to response. If response is not satisfactory, add other antihypertensive agents.

Intravenous route: Intravenous treatment usually starts with 20-40 mg once or twice daily. Depending upon the therapeutic response, the dose may be increased as outlined for the oral use of the drug.

Information for Patients

Patients receiving Lafurex® should be advised that they may experience symptoms from excessive fluid and/or electrolyte losses.

How Supplied

Strips of 10 tablets in packs of 2 strips of 20 or 40 mg.
Packs of 3 ampoules of 40mg/4ml.
Packs of 5 ampoules of 20mg/2ml.

Keep all medicaments out of reach of children

Product of: AMOUN PHARMACEUTICAL CO. El-Obour City, Cairo, Egypt. ATC Code: C03CA01