Patient was educated on side effects of loop diuretic use as follows:
- Loop diuretics result in ringing of the ears and ototoxicity. High doses of loop diuretic can result in hearing loss. So, ringing in the ears and any issues with hearing should be immediately reported to the physician.
- Symptoms of hypotension and dehydration, such as dry mouth, feeling dizzy and lightheaded with rapid heart rate can occur secondary to loss of fluid volume.
- Nausea and vomiting, extreme lethargy, muscle cramps, weakness, and fatigue secondary to increased sodium loss from the body.
- Palpitations, muscle weakness, cramping, light-headedness, and fatigue secondary to increases potassium loss from the body.
- Loop diuretic use can also lead to loss of calcium from the body and result in tingling and numbness in the extremities, muscle spasms and cramps, and episodes of confusion. Prolonged use of loop diuretics can result in severe deficiency of calcium resulting in weakness of bones and pathological fractures.
