Tablet
Frusin 40 mg + 50 mg Tablet
Generic: Frusemide + Spironolactone
Manufacturer: Opsonin Pharma Limited
Therapeutic class: Diuretic Combination (Loop Diuretic + Potassium-sparing Diuretic)
What is Frusin?
Frusin 40 mg + 50 mg tablet is a combination medicine from Opsonin Pharma Limited that contains Frusemide + Spironolactone — a powerful loop diuretic paired with a potassium-sparing diuretic in one tablet. It is used to remove excess fluid (oedema) in heart failure, liver cirrhosis with ascites and certain kidney conditions, while keeping the blood potassium more stable.
The two ingredients balance each other. Frusemide acts on the kidney's loop of Henle, flushing out salt and water — but on its own it also washes out potassium. Spironolactone blocks the hormone aldosterone in the kidney's collecting ducts, removing fluid in a gentler way while holding potassium back. Together they drain swelling effectively with a lower risk of the potassium disturbances that either strong diuretic alone can cause.
Indications
- Liver cirrhosis with ascites — fluid in the abdomen, where this combination is particularly preferred
- Chronic heart failure — persistent swelling and breathlessness needing both fluid removal and potassium balance
- Resistant oedema — swelling not adequately controlled by a single diuretic
- Oedema with low potassium risk — patients who developed hypokalaemia on a loop diuretic alone
Dosage & Administration
Your doctor will set the dose of Frusin based on your condition, daily weight record, kidney function and electrolyte reports, and will adjust it as the fluid comes under control.
- Take it in the morning, after food, so the extra urination happens during the day and not at night.
- Weigh yourself each morning if advised, and keep the record for follow-up visits.
- If you miss a dose, take it when you remember the same day; skip it if evening has come — never take a double dose.
Never stop or adjust Frusin on your own — fluid can rebuild quickly in heart failure or cirrhosis, and the potassium balance this combination maintains needs regular blood-test monitoring by your doctor.
Side Effects
Possible side effects include:
- Increased urination after the dose (expected)
- Dizziness, light-headedness, thirst or dry mouth
- Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhoea
- Potassium disturbances either way — too low (cramps, weakness) or too high (muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat), depending on kidney function
- Low sodium — confusion, lethargy in severe cases
- From spironolactone: breast tenderness or enlargement in men (gynaecomastia), menstrual irregularity
- Raised uric acid (gout) or blood sugar changes
- Serious: fainting, very reduced urine, severe muscle weakness or palpitations — seek medical help promptly
Precautions & Warnings
- Regular blood tests for potassium, sodium and kidney function are essential — never skip them.
- Do not take potassium supplements or potassium-rich salt substitutes unless your doctor specifically prescribes them — the spironolactone part already retains potassium.
- Weigh yourself as advised and report rapid weight gain or loss.
- In diarrhoea, vomiting or very hot weather, dehydration and electrolyte upset develop fast — contact your doctor.
- Rise slowly to avoid dizziness and falls, especially if elderly.
- Tell your doctor about diabetes, gout, kidney impairment or difficulty passing urine.
- Men noticing breast tenderness should inform the doctor — adjusting the dose usually helps.
Drug Interactions
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs (ramipril, losartan, telmisartan): useful together in heart failure but raise the high-potassium risk — needs monitoring
- Potassium supplements and other potassium-sparing diuretics: dangerous potassium rise — avoid unless prescribed
- NSAID painkillers (ibuprofen, diclofenac): blunt the diuretic effect, strain kidneys and raise potassium
- Digoxin: spironolactone can raise digoxin levels and potassium shifts alter its safety
- Lithium: levels can rise to toxic range
- Trimethoprim/co-trimoxazole: adds to potassium retention
- Other blood pressure medicines: additive pressure drop
Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements and herbal products you use.
Contraindications
- Allergy to frusemide, spironolactone or sulphonamide-derived medicines
- High blood potassium (hyperkalaemia)
- Severe kidney failure or inability to pass urine (anuria)
- Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency)
- Severe dehydration or uncorrected low sodium
- Hepatic coma or pre-coma (specialist care only)
- Combined use with other potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements without supervision
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy: This combination is generally avoided in pregnancy. Frusemide is used only for specific medical emergencies under specialist care, and spironolactone is usually avoided because its hormone-blocking action could theoretically affect a male baby's development. Tell your doctor immediately if you are or may be pregnant.
Lactation: Both components pass into breast milk in small amounts, and frusemide may reduce milk production. Breastfeeding during treatment is generally not recommended unless the doctor judges it necessary and monitors the baby.
Storage Conditions
Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture. Keep the tablets in the original pack until use, and keep out of the reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I stop Frusin when the swelling goes down and I feel better?
<p>No. The swelling has gone down <strong>because</strong> Frusin removes the excess fluid every day. In heart failure and liver cirrhosis the underlying tendency to retain fluid remains, so stopping on your own lets fluid rebuild — in the legs, abdomen or dangerously in the lungs — often within days. Your doctor may reduce the dose step by step as you improve, guided by your weight record and blood tests. Never stop, skip or change the dose yourself.</p>
Why does Frusin contain two diuretics together?
<p>Because they balance each other's main weakness. The frusemide part is powerful but washes potassium out in the urine; the spironolactone part is gentler and actively <strong>holds potassium back</strong>. Combined, you get strong fluid removal with a steadier potassium level — important because both low and high potassium can trigger dangerous heart rhythms. This is also why your doctor still checks blood tests regularly: the balance depends on your kidney function and diet, and the combination must not be assumed to make testing unnecessary.</p>
Can I eat bananas and use salt substitutes while taking Frusin?
<p>Normal amounts of everyday foods like banana or coconut water are usually fine, but do not deliberately load up on potassium-rich foods, potassium supplements or "low-sodium" salt substitutes (which are usually potassium chloride) — the spironolactone part of Frusin already conserves potassium, and adding more can push it dangerously high, especially if your kidneys are weak. Watch for muscle weakness, tingling or a slow irregular heartbeat and report them. Follow the diet plan your doctor sets after seeing your blood reports.</p>
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