Lasix for Water Retention
One common cause of water retention is congestive heart failure (CHF). Congestive heart failure is a condition where the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body. It does not mean that your heart has stopped or is about to stop working. It means that your heart is not able to pump blood the way it should. This can lead to symptoms of CHF, including shortness of breath; swelling of the feet, ankles, or lower legs; and rapid weight gain (see Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure for more information).
There are many other causes of fluid retention, including kidney failure (renal failure) and cirrhosis of the liver. Lasix can also be used to treat fluid retention due to these conditions.
Lasix can help with water retention by helping the body to get rid of the extra fluid. Lasix does not cure congestive heart failure or other conditions that cause the body to retain fluid.
How Does Lasix Work?Lasix is a diuretic, which is commonly referred to as a "water pill." Specifically, Lasix is known as a "loop diuretic," named after the part of the kidneys that it affects (the loop of Henle). It works by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood. This extra salt and water is passed out through the urine. By increasing the amount of water removed from the blood, Lasix causes a decrease in blood volume. Because of this effect, Lasix can lower blood pressure and can also help with water retention.
Lasix Use in ChildrenLasix has been approved for treating fluid retention (but not high blood pressure) in children and infants.
Off-Label Lasix UsesOn occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Lasix for treating a condition other than those listed above. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are a few off-label Lasix uses, including:
- Treatment of hypercalcemia (high levels of calcium in the blood)
- Treatment of water retention due to premenstrual syndrome (PMS).