What Foods to Avoid When Taking Furosemide: A Clear Guide for Safer Use

If you are taking furosemide to manage fluid retention or high blood pressure, your everyday diet also matters the most. Certain foods can affect the effectiveness of the medicine or trigger side effects. Knowing what foods to avoid when taking furosemide can help you recover better and faster. Let's explore the blog and learn what foods to skip and what to eat while on furosemide.

What Foods to Avoid When Taking Furosemide?

The whole point of taking Furosemide is to eliminate sodium and excess water from the body. Therefore, one needs to avoid foods high in sodium. One study reports that high sodium-rich foods can increase the risk of high blood pressure, which, in turn, can lead to heart disease and stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, these five foods contain the highest levels of sodium:

• Bread

• Pizza

• Burritos and tacos

• Sandwiches

• Soups

10 Foods to Avoid When Taking Furosemide

Here is a list of what not to eat when taking furosemide: 

1. Caffeine 

• Caffeine-rich foods should be avoided as they can reduce the effectiveness of furosemide in reducing high blood pressure. 

• Coffee and energy drinks contain caffeine that should be consumed in a minimum amount.

2. Processed Foods

• Avoid processed foods as they are highly rich in salt, which can increase fluid buildup.

• Examples include smoked meats, cured meats, cold cuts, bacon, ham, turkey, and salami.

3. Canned Foods

• These foods are rich in sodium, which can interfere with the diuretic ability of furosemide.

• Examples include canned tuna, canned beans, pickles, and canned olives..

4. Packed Foods

• Packed foods contain a high amount of salt, which can disrupt the furosemide from working effectively. 

• Salted chips, biscuits, popcorn, instant noodles, and instant oats are all packed with MSG, a deadly flavoring enhancer. 

5. Fast Foods

• These types of foods contain a high amount of sodium, which can interrupt the effects of furosemide by allowing the body to increase blood pressure and retain fluid. 

• Burgers, pizzas, and fried chicken top the list of fast foods that are prepared using processed meats, topped with processed cheese, and loaded with sauces high in sodium and other salts. That's way too much salt in one bite!

6. Broths and Meat Stocks

• Being high in sodium, these foods can interfere with the efficacy of furosemide in lowering blood pressure and eliminating excessive fluid. 

• Limit eating soups made from chicken and beef stock, as these are notoriously high in salt.

7. Seafood

• Being naturally high in sodium, seafood can increase water retention, which can impact the effectiveness of furosemide. 

• Limit the intake of seafood such as shrimp, tuna, shellfish, and salmon.

8. Packed Vegetable Juices

• Eating store-bought vegetable juices, which are highly rich in potassium, can lead to a potassium imbalance, leading to high levels of potassium in the blood (hyperkalemia). They can even worsen hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels) if furosemide is causing loss of potassium.

• The better option is to consume homemade vegetable juices.

9. Frozen Foods

• Avoid frozen foods as they are high in salt, which can interfere with the diuretic properties of furosemide. 

• Examples include processed frozen meals (e.g., meat or vegetables) and salty frozen snacks (e.g., salted nuts and potato chips).

10. Table Salt

• Besides avoiding several foods mentioned above, limiting or completely avoiding the use of table salt in your diet is advisable.

• Boil your rice without salt, and boil your eggs without adding a pinch of salt. It will do wonders in the long run.

Best tip: Always check the constituents of foods before consuming them.

Foods To Eat When Taking Furosemide

As furosemide leads to loss of electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium, have foods rich in these electrolytes. Here is the best diet while taking furosemide:

1. Potassium-Rich Foods

As furosemide might cause hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels), it is crucial to restore this by eating potassium-rich fruits and vegetables. Here are the natural sources of potassium:

• Banana

• Oranges

• Apricots

• Pomegranate 

• Papaya

• Spinach

• Broccoli

• Sweet potatoes

• Brussels sprouts

• Avocados

• Beetroot 

• Beans such as kidney beans and white beans

2. Calcium-Rich Foods

As furosemide can affect calcium levels, adding calcium-rich foods to your diet can promote heart and bone health. Here are the foods rich in calcium:

• Low-fat dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, and milk

• Fortified plant-based milks, like oat, almond, and soy milk

• Bok choy and broccoli 

• Salmon with bones and canned sardines

3. Magnesium-Rich Foods

Consuming magnesium-rich foods can prevent hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium levels), as furosemide increases the loss of magnesium in urine. This results in symptoms like fatigue and cramps. So, eat more of these magnesium-rich foods:

• Wheat

• Cashews

• Almonds

• Peanut butter

• Pumpkin seeds

• Black beans

• Leafy greens like spinach and kale

• Whole grains such as oats and brown rice

However, always check the sodium content of these foods before adding them to your diet. 

Also Read: 15 Magnesium-Rich Foods to Boost Your Health.

4. Low-Sodium Foods

You can help your medicine work efficiently by eating foods that naturally contain low amounts of sodium. Those foods include: 

• Fresh fruits & vegetables

• Unsalted whole grains (e.g., oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice)

• Unprocessed lean proteins, like fresh fish, eggs, and fresh chicken

• Low-sodium dairy products like plain Greek yogurt and low-sodium cottage cheese

5. Hydrating Foods

As furosemide leads to increased urination, maintaining the hydration levels of the body is crucial to avoid dehydration. So, stay hydrated by consuming: 

• Cucumbers

• Soups (low-sodium)

• Watermelon

• Celery

• Strawberries

Other Precautions to Take While Taking Furosemide

A few things must be considered when using Furosemide:

1. Limit the use of laxatives

• If you are taking laxatives for constipation, avoid them with furosemide as they can add to the further loss of electrolytes and water, putting you at a higher risk of dehydration.

• If you suffer from constipation, ask your doctor for other ways to relieve constipation.

2. Avoid exposure to sunlight

• Furosemide can make you sensitive to sunlight as it increases the reaction of the skin to ultraviolet rays of the sun. 

• So, when going in the sun, use sunscreen and sunglasses and limit long exposure to the sun.

3. Limit or avoid alcohol consumption

• Alcohol is also a natural diuretic that increases the body's water loss; thus, dehydration may result when taken along with Furosemide.

• It may also worsen the side effects of the medicine. For instance, reducing the blood pressure suddenly when you stand after lying or sitting, or making you feel dizzy.

4. Avoid other medications

• Certain medications can interact with furosemide, which can stop it from working appropriately and even increase its side effects.

• For instance, vancomycin might cause kidney damage when taken with Furosemide, and Sucralfate may prevent the absorption of Furosemide in the bloodstream. Other medications may include:

1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like ibuprofen, naproxen,  and diclofenac

2. Drugs to treat an irregular heartbeat (e.g., digoxin, flecainide, amiodarone, or disopyramide

3. Medicines like steroids and other diuretics are used for maintaining blood potassium levels 

4. Medicines such as risperidone, amisulpride, or pimozide used for mental health problems

5. Drugs to treat high blood pressure

5. Avoid with certain medical conditions

The presence of underlying medical issues can affect the efficacy of this medicine. So, inform your doctor if you have any of the following medical problems:

• Anemia

• Bladder problems

• Diabetes

• Gout

• Hearing issues

• Hyperuricemia (high blood uric acid)

• Hypocalcemia (low blood calcium levels)

• Hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels)

• Hypomagnesemia (low blood magnesium levels)

• Hypotension (low blood pressure)

• Liver cirrhosis

• Kidney disease

6. Do not have in case of allergies

Avoid using furosemide if you are allergic to sulfa drugs or any of the following ingredients of this medicine:

• Furosemide

• Lasix

• Furoscix

7. Be cautious during pregnancy and breastfeeding

• There are no scientific studies on the safe use of furosemide during pregnancy. So, always discuss with your gynecologist before taking this medicine.

• According to research, furosemide passes into breast milk and may lower milk production. So, always use it with caution, only under a doctor's guidance.

8. Careful use in children and elderly people

• No pediatric-specific issues have been reported because of the use of furosemide in children. However, it is not recommended for premature babies as it can have adverse effects on the kidneys.

• As older people are more prone to develop age-related heart, kidney, and liver issues, they may need dose adjustments under a doctor's supervision. 

Final Thoughts

What foods to avoid when taking furosemide should be prioritized, as certain foods can reduce the efficacy and increase the side effects of this medicine. Those foods include processed foods, canned foods, frozen foods, caffeine, packaged foods, etc. Instead, eat food low in sodium and high in potassium, magnesium, and calcium. By making smart dietary choices, you can support the treatment and protect your kidneys and heart.

But always remember to seek medical guidance before making any changes in your diet, especially if you have any medical issues or are on other medications.