Furosemide is a prescription “water pill.” This diuretic helps the body manage fluid retention, a condition known as edema, which can be linked to various health issues such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney problems. It works by increasing the amount of urine produced, which helps remove excess water and salt from the body. Furosemide is also used to help manage high blood pressure.
Visual Characteristics of Furosemide
Furosemide is available as oral tablets and an oral solution. The appearance of furosemide tablets can vary significantly depending on the manufacturer, but they are frequently described as white or off-white. These tablets are often round or oval.
Tablets feature markings, such as numbers, letters, or a score line, on one or both sides. For example, a 20 mg tablet from one manufacturer might be white, round, and imprinted with “EP 116” on one side. Another 20 mg tablet may be white and oval with the imprint “3169 V”. A 40 mg tablet could be white, round, and marked with “54 583” or “3170 V”. These imprints are specific to the manufacturer and dosage, serving as identifiers.
Furosemide also comes as an oral solution, which is a clear liquid. This solution can range from colorless to slightly yellow. Some oral solutions may have specific flavors.
Common Furosemide Dosages and Appearance Variations
Furosemide is commonly prescribed in various strengths for oral tablets, including 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. Dosage strength can be indicated by distinct visual characteristics within a manufacturer’s product line. For instance, while a 20 mg tablet might be oval, a 40 mg tablet from the same manufacturer could be round, even if both are white.
Different dosages from the same manufacturer often have unique imprint codes to distinguish them. For example, a white, round 20 mg tablet might have “54 840” imprinted, while an 80 mg tablet from the same source could be white, round, and imprinted with “54 533” or “3171 V”. Appearance variations are not standardized across all manufacturers. Generic brands of furosemide may look different from each other even for the same dosage.
The Importance of Proper Identification
Accurate medication identification is important for patient safety. Taking the wrong medication, an incorrect dosage, or an expired drug can lead to serious health complications or ineffective treatment. For example, an incorrect dosage of furosemide could lead to excessive fluid loss or insufficient symptom control.
If a medication’s appearance seems unusual or different from what is expected, verify it with a pharmacist or doctor. They can confirm the medication’s authenticity and ensure it is the correct prescription. Patients should not take a medication if its appearance is suspicious or unfamiliar, and should instead seek professional advice.