Furosemide (frusemide) is not associated with any clinical benefits when used to prevent and treat acute renal failure in adults. In a meta-analysis of nine randomised trials, Ho and Sheridan (p 420) investigated the potential beneficial and adverse effects of furosemide to prevent or treat acute renal failure. They found that in-hospital mortality, risk of requiring renal replacement therapy or dialysis, number of dialysis sessions required, and proportion of patients with persistent oliguria were not significantly different after treatment with furosemide. However, high doses of furosemide may be associated with an increased risk of ototoxicity.
Figure 1.
Credit: DR NAJEEB LAYYOUS/SPL