Kenzamide Dosage/Direction for Use

Tablet: Furosemide's effects are evident within 30 minutes to 1 hour after a dose by mouth, peak at 1 to 2 hours, and last for about 4 to 6 hours; after intravenous injection its effects are evident in about 5 minutes and last for about 2 hours. It is given by mouth, usually in the morning. Alternatively it may be administered intramuscularly or intravenously as the sodium salt; doses are expressed in terms of furosemide base. 10.7 mg of furosemide sodium is approximately equivalent to 10 mg of furosemide base. The manufacturers recommend that whether by direct intravenous injection or by infusion the rate of intravenous administration should not exceed 4 mg/minute although the British National Formulary advises that a single dose of up to 80 mg may be given more rapidly.
Unlike the thiazide diuretics where, owing to their flat dose-response curve, very little is gained by increasing the dose, furosemide has a steep dose-response curve, which gives it a wide therapeutic range.
In the treatment of oedema, the usual initial dose is 40 mg once daily by mouth, adjusted as necessary according to response. Mild cases may respond to 20 mg daily or 40 mg on alternate days. Some patients may require doses of 80 mg or more daily given as one or two doses daily, or intermittently. Severe cases may require gradual titration of the furosemide dosage up to 600 mg daily. In an emergency or when oral therapy cannot be given, 20 to 50 mg of furosemide may be administered by slow intravenous injection; intramuscular injection may be given in exceptional cases but is not suitable for acute conditions. If necessary further doses may be given, increasing by 20-mg increments and not given more often than every 2 hours. If doses greater than 50 mg are required they should be given by slow intravenous infusion. For pulmonary oedema, if an initial slow intravenous injection of 40 mg does not produce a satisfactory response within one hour, a further 80 mg may be given slowly intravenously.
For children, the usual dose by mouth is 1 to 3 mg/kg daily up to a maximum of 40 mg daily; doses by injection are 0.5 to 1.5mg/kg daily up to a maximum of 20 mg daily.
In the treatment of hypertension, furosemide is given in doses of 40 to 80 mg daily by mouth, either alone, or with other antihypertensives.
Or as prescribed by a physician.
Injection: Adults: 20 to 50 mg by slow IV injection; IM may be given but not for acute conditions. Increase the dose by 20mg but not given more than every 2 hours. Increase initial dose to 80mg if not satisfactory.
Children: 0.5 to 1.5mg/kg daily up to a maximum of 20 mg daily or as prescribed by the physician.