Furosemide Health Dictionary

An alternative name for furosemide, a diuretic drug.... frusemide

Linn.

Family: Zygophyllaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India, up to 5,400 m.

English: Land-Caltrops, Puncture Vine.

Ayurvedic: Gokshura, Gokshu- raka, Kshudra (Laghu) Gokharu, Shvadamshtraa, Swaadu-kantaka, Trikanta, Trikantaka. (Larger var. is equated with Pedalium murex Linn. The fruits of both the varieties are conical and have four spines, not three as the synonyms denote. Hence, Acanthospermum hispidum DC. and Martynia annua Linn. have been suggested as the source of Trikantaka.)

Unani: Khaar-e-Khasak Khurd.

Siddha: Sirunenunji, Nerinjil, Nerunjil.

Action: Fruits—diuretic, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, anabolic, spasmolytic, muscle relaxant, hypotensive, hypoglycaemic. Used in strangury, calculus affections, urolithiasis, crystalluria, urinary discharges, pruritus-ani, as a tonic in sexual inadequacy; also as a supporting medicine in cough and asthma. Leaf—diuretic, haemostatic. Root—stomachic, diuretic.

In addition to all these applications, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India attributes cardiotonic properties to the root and fruit.

The plant contains saponins, which on hydrolysis yield sapogenins—dios- genin, gitogenin, chlorogenin, rusco- genin, 25D-spirosta-3, 5-diene, among others. Flavonoids—rutin, quercetin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-glucoside and-rutinoside, and tribuloside have been isolated from the leaves and fruits. The seeds contain carboline alkaloids— harmane and harmine. Harmol is also reported from the herb.

A saponin (unidentified) is reported effective for treating angina pec- toris in people with coronary heart disease (406 cases were treated). (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)

Diuretic (more than furosemide), proerectile aphrodisiac, hypotensive, hypolipidaemic, hypoglycaemic (40- 67% in diabetic mice) activities have been confirmed in several experimental studies. (Pub Med, Medline abstracts, 2003.)

Dosage: Fruit—3-6 g powder. (CCRAS.)... tribulus terrestris

n. a drug that increases the volume of urine produced by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. The main classes of diuretics act by inhibiting the reabsorption of salts and water from the kidney tubules into the bloodstream. Thiazide diuretics (e.g. *bendroflumethiazide, *chlortalidone) act at the distal convoluted tubules (see nephron), preventing the reabsorption of sodium and potassium. Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. *amiloride, *spironolactone, *triamterene) prevent excessive loss of potassium at the distal convoluted tubules, and loop diuretics (e.g. *furosemide) prevent reabsorption of sodium and potassium in *Henle’s loop. Diuretics are used to reduce the oedema due to salt and water retention in disorders of the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs. Thiazides and potassium-sparing diuretics are also used – in conjunction with other drugs – in the treatment of high blood pressure. Treatment with thiazide and loop diuretics often results in potassium deficiency; this is corrected by simultaneous administration of potassium salts or a potassium-sparing diuretic.... diuretic

a condition in which the pumping action of the heart is inadequate due to damaged heart valves, ventricular muscle, or both. This results in back pressure of blood, with congestion of organs. In left ventricular (or left heart) failure, congestion and fluid accumulation affect the lungs, resulting in pulmonary *oedema. The patient suffers breathlessness, cough, and *orthopnoea. There is reduced flow of arterial blood from the heart, which in extreme cases results in peripheral circulatory failure (cardiogenic shock). In right ventricular (or right heart) failure, the veins in the neck become engorged and fluid accumulates in the legs (peripheral oedema) or abdominal cavity (*ascites). If both left and right sides of the heart are affected then a combination of the above features is seen. This is usually referred to as congestive cardiac failure (CCF).

Diuretics (e.g. furosemide) improve symptoms. *ACE inhibitors, *beta blockers, and *spironolactone improve symptoms and life expectancy in patients with left ventricular failure. Heart surgery may be required for the correction of valve problems.... heart failure

n. see furosemide.... lasix

n. abnormal reaction of the skin to sunlight. This characterizes certain skin diseases (see photodermatosis). Photosensitivity reactions may also occur in those taking such drugs as thiazide diuretics, furosemide, amiodarone, and NSAIDs. In these cases the effect may resemble severe sunburn. —photosensitive adj.... photosensitivity