Warnings for Furoscix
Included as part of the "PRECAUTIONS" Section
Precautions for Furoscix
Fluid, Electrolyte, And Metabolic Abnormalities
Furosemide may cause fluid, electrolyte, and metabolic abnormalities such as hypovolemia, hypokalemia, azotemia, hyponatremia, hypochloremic alkalosis, hypomagnesemia, hypocalcemia, hyperglycemia, or hyperuricemia, particularly in patients receiving higher doses, patients with inadequate oral electrolyte intake, and in elderly patients. Excessive diuresis may cause dehydration and blood volume reduction with circulatory collapse and possibly vascular thrombosis and embolism, particularly in elderly patients. Serum electrolytes, CO2, BUN, creatinine, glucose, and uric acid should be monitored frequently during furosemide therapy [see Use In Specific Populations].
Worsening Renal Function
Furosemide can cause dehydration and azotemia. If increasing azotemia and oliguria occur during treatment of severe progressive renal disease, discontinue furosemide [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Ototoxicity
Cases of tinnitus and reversible or irreversible hearing impairment and deafness have been reported with furosemide. Reports usually indicate that furosemide ototoxicity is associated with rapid injection, severe renal impairment, the use of higher than recommended doses, hypoproteinemia or concomitant therapy with aminoglycoside antibiotics, ethacrynic acid, or other ototoxic drugs. If the physician elects to use high-dose parenteral therapy, controlled intravenous infusion is advisable (for adults, an infusion rate not exceeding 4 mg furosemide per minute has been used) [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
Acute Urinary Retention
In patients with severe symptoms of urinary retention (because of bladder emptying disorders, prostatic hyperplasia, urethral narrowing), the administration of furosemide can cause acute urinary retention related to increased production and retention of urine. These patients require careful monitoring, especially during the initial stages of treatment.
Incomplete Dosing
The On-body Infusor should not be allowed to get wet from water or any other fluids (blood or drug product). Fluid contact with the circuit board can lead to device errors and premature termination of infusion.
The On-body Infusor is intended for use in a setting where the patient can limit their activity for the duration of administration. Certain patient movements may cause interruption of device adherence to skin and premature termination of infusion.
The On-body Infusor for FUROSCIX should only be used in patients who can detect and respond to alarms to ensure a complete dose is administered.
Patient Counseling Information
Advise the patient and/or caregiver to read the FDA-approved patient labeling [see FDA-approved INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE].
Advise the patient that they should not allow the On-body Infusor to come into contact with water or other fluids. Patients should check the device for alarms to ensure a complete dose is administered [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Fluid, Electrolyte, And Metabolic Abnormalities
Advise patients that they may experience symptoms from excessive fluid and/or electrolyte losses. The postural hypotension that sometimes occurs can usually be managed by getting up slowly. Potassium supplements and/or dietary measures may be needed to control or avoid hypokalemia [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Advise patients that furosemide may increase blood glucose levels and thereby affect urine glucose tests [see WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS].
Photosensitivity
The skin of some patients may be more sensitive to the effects of sunlight while taking furosemide [see ADVERSE REACTIONS].
Advise hypertensive patients to avoid medications that may increase blood pressure, including over-thecounter products for appetite suppression and cold symptoms [see DRUG INTERACTIONS].
For more information about FUROSCIX, go to www.FUROSCIX.com or call 1-855-SCPHARMA (1-855-727-4276)
Nonclinical Toxicology
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment Of Fertility
Carcinogenesis
Furosemide was tested for carcinogenicity by oral administration in one strain of mice and one strain of rats. A small but significantly increased incidence of mammary gland carcinomas occurred in female mice at a dose approximately 8 times a human i.v. dose of 80 mg based on BSA and oral bioavailability corrections. There were marginal increases in uncommon tumors in male rats at a dose of 15 mg per kg (slightly greater than the maximum human dose) but not at 30 mg per kg.
Mutagenesis
Furosemide was devoid of mutagenic activity in various strains of Salmonella typhimurium when tested in the presence or absence of an in vitro metabolic activation system, and questionably positive for gene mutation in mouse lymphoma cells in the presence of rat liver S9 at the highest dose tested. Furosemide did not induce sister chromatid exchange in human cells in vitro, but other studies on chromosomal aberrations in human cells in vitro gave conflicting results. In Chinese hamster cells it induced chromosomal damage but was questionably positive for sister chromatid exchange. Studies on the induction by furosemide of chromosomal aberrations in mice were inconclusive. The urine of rats treated with this drug did not induce gene conversion in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Impairment Of Fertility
Furosemide produced no impairment of fertility in male or female rats, at 100 mg per kg per day (the maximum effective diuretic dose in the rat), approximately 7 times a human i.v. dose of 80 mg based on BSA and oral bioavailability corrections.
Use In Specific Populations
Pregnancy
Risk Summary
Available data from published observational studies, case reports, and post marketing reports, from decades of use, have not demonstrated a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or other adverse maternal or fetal outcomes with furosemide use during pregnancy. Untreated congestive heart failure and cirrhosis of the liver can lead to adverse outcomes for the mother and the fetus (see Clinical Considerations).
In animal reproduction studies, furosemide has been shown to cause unexplained maternal deaths and abortions in rabbits when administered orally during organogenesis at 4 times a human i.v. dose of 80 mg based on body surface area (BSA) and oral bioavailability corrections, presumably secondary to volume depletion (see Data).
The estimated background risk for major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated populations is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in the clinically recognized pregnancies is 2 to 4% and 15 to 20%, respectively.
Clinical Considerations
Disease-associated Maternal and/or Embryo/fetal Risk
Pregnant women with congestive heart failure are at increased risk for pre-term birth. Stroke volume and heart rate increase during pregnancy, increasing cardiac output, especially during the first trimester. Clinical classification of heart disease may worsen with pregnancy and lead to maternal death and/or stillbirth. Closely monitor pregnant patients for destabilization of their heart failure.
Pregnant women with symptomatic cirrhosis generally have poor outcomes including hepatic failure, variceal hemorrhage, pre-term delivery, fetal growth restriction and maternal death. Outcomes are worse with coexisting esophageal varices. Carefully monitor pregnant women with cirrhosis of the liver.
Data
Animal Data
The effects of furosemide on embryonic and fetal development and on pregnant dams were studied in mice, rats, and rabbits.
Furosemide caused unexplained maternal deaths and abortions in the rabbit at the lowest dose of 25 mg/kg (approximately 4 times the human i.v. dose of 80 mg based on BSA and oral bioavailability corrections). In another study, a dose of 50 mg/kg (approximately 7 times a human i.v. dose of 80 mg based on BSA and oral bioavailability corrections) also caused maternal deaths and abortions when administered to rabbits between Days 12 and 17 of gestation. In a third study, none of the pregnant rabbits survived an oral dose of 100 mg/kg. Data from the above studies indicate fetal lethality that can precede maternal deaths.
The results of the mouse study and one of the three rabbit studies also showed an increased incidence and severity of hydronephrosis (distention of the renal pelvis and, in some cases, of the ureters) in fetuses of treated dams as compared with the incidence of fetuses from the control group.
Lactation
Risk Summary
The presence of furosemide has been reported in human breast milk. There are no data on the effects on the breastfed infant or the effects on milk production. Doses of furosemide associated with clinically significant diuresis may impair milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for furosemide and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed infant from furosemide or from the underlying maternal condition.
Pediatric Use
Safety and efficacy for pediatric use have not been established [see INDICATIONS AND USAGE].
Geriatric Use
Controlled clinical studies did not include sufficient numbers of subjects to determine whether subjects aged 65 and over respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. In general, dose selection for the elderly patients should be cautious, reflecting the greater frequency of decreased hepatic, renal or cardiac function, and of concomitant disease or other drug therapy.
FUROSCIX is known to be substantially excreted by the kidney, and the risk of toxic reactions to this drug may be greater in patients with impaired renal function. Because elderly patients are more likely to have decreased renal function, care should be taken in dose selection, and it may be useful to monitor renal function [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY].
Renal Impairment
Significantly reduced renal function can affect the response to furosemide. The On-body Infusor will deliver only an 80 mg dose of furosemide, and patients with significantly reduced renal function may require additional diuretic therapy.
Hepatic Impairment
In patients with hepatic cirrhosis and ascites, sudden alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic encephalopathy and coma. Treat such patients in a setting where clinical status and electrolyte balance can be carefully monitored.