High Dose Frusemide in Acute Reversible Intrinsic Renal Failure

Abstract

Preliminary results of 19 patients with acute renal failure in a controlled trial using 3000 mg of frusemide a day are reported. These indicate that a single dose of 1 g of frusemide over four hours intravenously may completely reverse acute renal failure. Continuous frusemide infusion at a dose of 1g eight-hourly will convert oliguria into polyuria or maintain polyuria thus increasing renal nitrogenous excretion. This polyuric state allows adequate nutrition and in conjunction with dialysis helps control the uraemic state. Irreversible deafness can occur if serum frusemide levels exceed 100 μg/ml.