SALIX INJECTION is indicated for the treatment of edema (pulmonary congestion, ascites) associated with cardiac insufficiency and acute noninflammatory tissue edema. DIRECTIONS: The usual dose of LASIX (furosemide) is 1 to 2 mg/lb. of body weight (approximately 2.5 to 5 mg/kg). The lower dose is suggested for cats. Administer once or twice a day at 6- to 8-hour intervals either intravenously or intramuscularly. A prompt diuresis usually ensues from the initial treatment. Diuresis may be initiated by the parenteral administration of LASIX (furosemide) injection and then maintained by oral administration.The dosage should be adjusted to the individual's response. In severe edematous or refractory cases, the dose may be doubled or increased by increments of 1 mg/lb. of body weight. The established effective dose should be administered once or twice a day. The daily schedule of administration can be timed to control the period of micturition for the convenience of the client or veterinarian. Mobilization of the edema may be most efficiently and safely accomplished by utilizing an intermittent daily dosage schedule, i.e., every other day or two (2) to four (4) consecutive days a week.Diuretic therapy should be discontinued after reduction of the edema, or maintained after determining a carefully programmed dosage schedule to prevent recurrence of edema. For long-term treatment, the dose can generally be lowered after the edema has once been reduced. Re-examination and consultations with client will enhance the establishment of a satisfactorily programmed dosage schedule. CAUTION(S): Do not use in horses intended for food.Milk taken from animals during treatment and for 48 hours (4 milkings) after the last treatment with this drug must not be used for food. Cattle must not be slaughtered for food within 48 hours following the last treatment with this drug.LASIX (furosemide) is a highly effective diuretic and if given in excessive amounts, as with any diuretic, may lead to excessive diuresis that could result in electrolyte imbalance, dehydration and reduction of plasma volume, enhancing the risk of circulatory collapse, thrombosis, and embolism. Therefore, the animal should be observed for early signs of fluid depletion with electrolyte imbalance, and corrective measures administered. Excessive loss of potassium in patients receiving digitalis or its glycosides may precipitate digitalis toxicity. Caution should be exercised in animals administered potassium-depleting steroids.It is important to correct potassium deficiency with dietary supplementation. Caution should be exercised in prescribing enteric-coated potassium tablets.There have been several reports in human literature, published and unpublished, concerning nonspecific small-bowel lesions consisting of stenosis, with or without ulceration, associated with the administration of enteric-coated thiazides with potassium salts. These lesions may occur with enteric-coated potassium tablets alone or when they are used with non-enteric-coated thiazides, or certain other oral diuretics. These small-bowel lesions may have caused obstruction, hemorrhage, and perforation. Surgery was frequently required and deaths have occurred. Available information tends to imply enteric-coated potassium salts, although lesions of this type also occur spontaneously. Therefore, coated potassium containing formulations should be administered only when indicated, and should be discontinued immediately if abdominal pain, distension, nausea, vomiting, or gastro-intestinal bleeding occurs.Human patients with known sulfonamide sensitivity may show allergic reactions to LASIX (furosemide); however, these reactions have not been reported in animals.Sulfonamide diuretics have been reported to decrease arterial responsiveness to pressor amines and to enhance the effect of tubocurarine. Caution should be exercised in administering curare or its derivatives to patients undergoing therapy with LASIX (furosemide) and it is advisable to discontinue LASIX (furosemide) for one (1) day prior to any elective surgery.