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Compare Lasix vs. Amiodarone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Furosemide (Lasix) and amiodarone (Pacerone) are both prescription medications, but they serve very different purposes. Furosemide (Lasix) is a diuretic, also known as a water pill, that helps you get rid of extra fluid and lower blood pressure by making you urinate more. It's often used for swelling due to heart, liver, or kidney problems. On the other hand, amiodarone (Pacerone) is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat serious heart rhythm problems. It works by slowing down the electrical activity in your heart to keep your heartbeat normal. Furosemide (Lasix) starts working within an hour and is taken once or twice daily, while amiodarone (Pacerone) can take weeks to show effects and often requires a hospital stay to start. Furosemide (Lasix) can cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, whereas amiodarone (Pacerone) has a range of serious side effects, including lung and liver damage, and can stay in your body for weeks. Both medications are available in generic forms and require careful monitoring by your healthcare provider.

  • Furosemide (Lasix)
    Amiodarone (Pacerone)
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
    Amiodarone (Pacerone)

  • Summary of Lasix vs. Amiodarone

    Summary for Diuretic (water pill)
    Prescription only

    Furosemide (Lasix) is a loop diuretic, a type of water pill. Furosemide (Lasix) is used to relieve swelling from extra fluids in children and adults. This medication can also lower blood pressure, though it's not a first-choice option for this condition. Furosemide (Lasix) comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically once or twice daily. It's also available as an oral solution for people who've trouble swallowing tablets. Furosemide (Lasix) will cause you to urinate more often as a side effect, so it's best to not take this medication too close to bedtime.

    Summary for Antiarrhythmic
    Prescription only

    Amiodarone (Pacerone) is an antiarrhythmic medication. It's FDA-approved to treat life-threatening ventricular fibrillation and fast heart rate (tachycardia) in adults who either can't take it or whose condition isn't well-controlled by other antiarrhythmics. It's sometimes prescribed off-label for atrial fibrillation (AFib). Amiodarone (Pacerone) comes as tablets that are taken by mouth. The total daily dose can be taken once per day, or split into smaller doses and taken throughout the day to prevent stomach-related side effects, like nausea and vomiting.

  • Indications of Lasix vs. Amiodarone

    Indications for
    •Swelling (edema) due to heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
    •High blood pressure
    Indications for
    •Life-threatening ventricular fibrillation that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked well)
    •Life-threatening tachycardia that keeps coming back (when other antiarrhythmics haven't worked)

  • Pros and Cons of Lasix vs. Amiodarone

    Pros and Const for Diuretic (water pill)
    Pros
    •Starts working within an hour after you take it
    •Available in liquid form for children or people who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Not a good choice for people with a sulfa allergy
    •Might cause you to urinate in the middle of the night if you take it later in the day
    •Can make you more dizzy and raise your risk for falling down
    Pros and Const for Antiarrhythmic
    Pros
    •Works well to treat certain heart rate and rhythm problems
    •Can be taken with or without food
    •Can be taken once daily (as long as you're tolerating the medication and the total daily dose is less than 1,000 mg)
    Cons
    •Stays in the body for many weeks
    •Not for people with iodine allergy
    •Only available as a 200 mg tablet, so you might need to take several tablets depending on your dose

  • Common Side Effects of Lasix vs. Amiodarone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Urinating more often
    •Dizziness
    •Headache
    •Feeling off balance when you get up suddenly
    •Skin sensitive to the sun
    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Constipation
    •Poor appetite
    •Stomach pain
    •More sensitive to the sun
    •Feeling unwell
    •Fatigue
    •Tremor or abnormal movement
    •Poor coordination
    •Difficulty walking
    •Dizziness
    •Pins and needles sensation in the skin
    •Lower sex drive
    •Difficulty sleeping
    •Headache
    •Change in vision
    •Lung inflammation or scarring
    •Flushing
    •Change in taste or smell
    •Excess fluid under the skin (edema)
    •Abnormal saliva production
    •Abnormal blood clotting

  • Warnings of Lasix vs. Amiodarone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
    •Caution in people with liver problems
    •Hearing problems
    •Problems with urination
    •Allergic reaction
    •Gout
    Common Side Effects for
    •Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)
    •Lung damage
    •Liver damage
    •Vision problems
    •Thyroid problems
    •Slow heartbeat
    •Effects on heart devices
    •Harm to unborn babies
    •Nerve problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Lasix vs. Amiodarone

    Learn more about Furosemide
    Learn more about Amiodarone

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