Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Dry Skin After Taking Furosemide?
Question: I have taken a water pill, for years called "Hydrochlorothiazide". Just 25 MG TB, worked great! But I had low platelets, after having breast cancer, in yr. of 2001. Platelet count got Down as low as 41,000. Didn't seem to have any problems. I read within the last year, that the water pill may cause that to happen. My doctor , changed to meds. Called "Furosemide", just 20 mg. problem is " dry red cheeks. I put same "Olay,"cream on my face, no other makeup. I am 74 yrs. old but I don't want my face to dry up. Maybe just cutting pill in half, might work. So I did that, don't like the dry red face. I do go back to my doctor, end of March 2017. My E-mail address is: XXXXXXX XXXX. Thankyou!
Brief Answer:
water pills can cause the side effects mentioned- other options suggested
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at Health care magic.
I carefully read your question and understand the concern you are sharing.
The medications you mention can cause the side effects you have experienced: Hydochlorothyazide can cause blood problems and Furosemide can cause rash and fotosensitivity making your skin get red and dry.
Cutting down the dose of Furosemide might not be a good option as you are already in the minimum dose that it is given. It can go up to 80 mg a day but 20 mg a day is the minimum effective dose- if you just cut down you might still be exposed to the side effects but not have the benefit on treating the disease you use it for.
I do not find in the message the exact reason why you need the water pills- if it due to hypertension there are other medications that might be used to have a good effect on hypertension and being different from the ones you have already used might not cause you the side effects you had experienced.
If you take water pills for edema then there are a couple of other ones that can be tried like spironolactone or amiloride (they are in the same family so one or the other can be used). The spare potassium so might cause potassium levels to increase- due to this it might be better to have the opinion of your doctor before starting it.
Acetazolamide is another water pill that can be used in edema also.
To conclute:
1. it is true that water pills can cause side effects mentioned
2. you can try other water pills if you need diuretic effect for edema, if needed for hypertension there are other pills other than water pills that can be used.
3. Reducing the dose of furosemide will not help reduce the side effects and having the beneficial therapeutic effect.
4. it is safer to speak with your doctor when you change medications especially water pills as they might affect kidney function and electrolytes and might cause dangerous side effects if not consulted.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please let me know if anymore clarification is needed.
Kind Regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
water pills can cause the side effects mentioned- other options suggested
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for asking at Health care magic.
I carefully read your question and understand the concern you are sharing.
The medications you mention can cause the side effects you have experienced: Hydochlorothyazide can cause blood problems and Furosemide can cause rash and fotosensitivity making your skin get red and dry.
Cutting down the dose of Furosemide might not be a good option as you are already in the minimum dose that it is given. It can go up to 80 mg a day but 20 mg a day is the minimum effective dose- if you just cut down you might still be exposed to the side effects but not have the benefit on treating the disease you use it for.
I do not find in the message the exact reason why you need the water pills- if it due to hypertension there are other medications that might be used to have a good effect on hypertension and being different from the ones you have already used might not cause you the side effects you had experienced.
If you take water pills for edema then there are a couple of other ones that can be tried like spironolactone or amiloride (they are in the same family so one or the other can be used). The spare potassium so might cause potassium levels to increase- due to this it might be better to have the opinion of your doctor before starting it.
Acetazolamide is another water pill that can be used in edema also.
To conclute:
1. it is true that water pills can cause side effects mentioned
2. you can try other water pills if you need diuretic effect for edema, if needed for hypertension there are other pills other than water pills that can be used.
3. Reducing the dose of furosemide will not help reduce the side effects and having the beneficial therapeutic effect.
4. it is safer to speak with your doctor when you change medications especially water pills as they might affect kidney function and electrolytes and might cause dangerous side effects if not consulted.
I hope this is helpful and answers to your question but please let me know if anymore clarification is needed.
Kind Regards
Dr Antoneta Zotaj
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
