What Foods to Avoid When Taking Furosemide: A Guide for Patients

Furosemide is a prescription drug commonly used to treat high blood pressure, fluid retention (edema), and kidney disorders. The medication is available worldwide under the brand name Lasix and is sold in doses of 20mg to 80mg. The main feature of Furosemide is its ability to alter the fluid balance and eliminate excess water from the body.

This is why furosemide tablets are also called ''water pills'' but most people are concerned about "What foods to avoid when taking Furosemide?'' Research suggests that consuming excessive amounts of sodium can make problems that furosemide is intended to treat, like high blood pressure and heart failure, worse. Let's explore in detail which foods to avoid when taking furosemide.

What Foods to Avoid When Taking Furosemide?

The whole point of taking Furosemide is to eliminate sodium from the body and eliminate excess water. Therefore, when taking Furosemide, care must be taken to avoid foods high in sodium. According to the American Heart Association, these five foods contain the highest levels of sodium:

• Bread

• Pizza

• Burritos and tacos

• Sandwiches

• Soups

Here are a few more diuretic foods to avoid when taking furosemide:

1. Caffeine 

It is a natural diuretic that can increase the number of times you urinate. Coffee and energy drinks that contain caffeine must be kept to a minimum amount.

2. Processed foods

Smoked meats, cured meats, cold cuts, bacon, ham, turkey, and salami, that are processed and ''ready to eat'' must be avoided. These foods are preserved with salts that are rich in sodium.

3. Canned foods

Canned tuna, canned beans, pickles, and canned olives are also preserved in brine, a mixture of salt and water. These foods are commonly eaten and are a major cause of edemas.

4. Packed foods

Salted chips, biscuits, popcorn, instant noodles, and instant oats are all packed with MSG, a deadly flavoring enhancer. Avoid these foods when taking Furosemide.

5. Fast foods

Burgers, pizzas, and fried chicken top the list of foods high in sodium. These are made from processed meats, topped with processed cheese, and dipped in sauces loaded with sodium and other salts. That's way too much sodium in a single bite!

6. Broths and meat stocks

Limit eating soups made from chicken and beef stock, as these are notoriously high in salt.

7. Seafood

The fresh seafood is also high in sodium. You should limit Seafood like Shrimp, tuna, shellfish, and salmon in your diet.

8. Packed vegetable juice

Store-bought juices contain preservatives high in sodium. Homemade vegetable juices are a better option.

9. Table salt

Besides avoiding several foods mentioned above, limiting or completely avoiding using table salt in your diet is advisable. Boil your rice without salt, and boil your eggs without adding a pinch of salt. It will do wonders in the long run.

A good tip would be to check the constituents of foods before consuming them. When you see an alarmingly high amount of sodium mentioned on it, it will be easier to stay away from it. Certainly, it is also difficult to avoid these foods 100%, but you must try as much as possible to avoid them, which will only put your health at more risk.

Foods To Eat When Taking Furosemide

An important side effect of Furosemide is the loss of potassium. Potassium is not related to retaining water, and healthy levels of potassium in the blood must be maintained. Foods that should be eaten when taking Furosemide are those that are rich in potassium, such as,

1. Fruits

Bananas, apricots, papaya, and pomegranate contain high potassium levels. These fruits are also high in electrolytes such as magnesium and zinc, which help restore the loss of electrolytes from the body.

2. Vegetables

Avocado, broccoli, brussels sprouts, okra, spinach, and beetroot are high in potassium and contain other essential minerals that maintain a healthy diet.

3. Magnesium-rich foods

Wheat, cashews, almonds, and peanut butter (check sodium content) must be included in your diet.

Also Read: 15 Magnesium-Rich Foods to Boost Your Health

Precautions While taking Furosemide

A few things must be considered when using Furosemide:

1. Limit the use of laxatives

laxatives can add to the further loss of electrolytes and water, putting you at a higher risk of dehydration. If you suffer from constipation, ask your doctor for other ways to relieve constipation.

2. Avoid exposure to sunlight

Furosemide can make you sensitive to sunlight. When going in the sun, use sunscreen and sunglasses and limit long exposure to the sun.

3. Alcohol consumption

Alcohol is also a natural diuretic that increases the body's water loss. Dehydration may result when taken along with Furosemide.

4. Contraindicated medication

Antibiotics like vancomycin can cause kidney damage when taken with Furosemide. Sucralfate prevents the absorption of Furosemide in the bloodstream.

Conclusion

Furosemide is a life-saving drug that helps most patients lead a normal life. Furosemide is safe and is usually prescribed for long-term use. You should maintain Low sodium content for Furosemide to work at its best potential. This can be achieved by avoiding sodium in your diet and finding new low-sodium recipes to add spice to your life. Also, you can consult with your doctor about what foods to avoid when taking Furosemide if you are experiencing any unusual symptoms.