Remark:
The substance furosemide is also available as an infusion solution.
There are also numerous other compounds in various forms of
administration which, due to limited space, are not listed
Lasix is not a hormone compound but a diuretic. It belongs to the group
of saluretics and to be exact is a loop diuretic. Its effect consists of
distinctly increased excretion of sodium, chloride, potassium, and
water. A very important characteristic which must be absolutely
monitored with loop diuretics is the reabsorbtion of potassium ions,
sodium ions, and chloride ions. This causes a considerable disturbance
of the electrolyte household. Due to its intense effect on water
excretion Lasix is used for treatment of edema~ and high blood pressure.
Bodybuilders use Lasix shortly before a compe-tition to excrete
excessive, mostly subcutaneous, water so that they appear hard, defined,
and ripped to the bone when in the limelight. The effect of tablets
begins within an hour and continues for 3-4 hours. Depending on how much
water is still in the athlete's body he must have more or less frequent
access to a restroom. This can cause a considerable weight loss within a
very short time. For this reason, athletes often use Lasix to lose
weight and to compete in a lower weight class. Athletes usually prefer
the oral form of the com-pound. Bodybuilders occasionally use the
injectable and intravenous version the morning of the competition since
it becomes immedi-ately effective when the athlete, due to a more or
less strongly re-maining water film, begins to panic. This, however, can
also pro-duce the opposite effect. That is, the muscles become small and
flat; the athlete loses vascularity, and has no pump during warm-up when
during a very short time too much water and minerals are lost. It is
thus possible that some pro or top amateur shortly before the beginning
of a competition as a last countermeasure is seen with a bag of glucose
solution being injected intravenously so that the blood volume rises
again. In order to compensate for the potassium loss many athletes take
potassium chloride tablets. This, however, involves a certain risk since
an overdose of potassium can cause cardiac arrest. In our experience,
Lasix is taken in the last two days before a competition.
The amount of the dosage, the duration of application, and the
in-tervals of intake usually depend on the diuretic effect or the
athlete's shape. Bodybuilders usually take a half or whole 40 mg tablet
and wait to see what happens. Some repeat this procedure once or twice
in an interval of a few hours. Lasix is the strongest diuretic and the
most dangerous compound in bodybuilders' arsenal of medicine. Side
effects can include circulatory disturbances, dizziness, dehy-dration,
muscle cramps, vomiting, circulatory collapse, diarrhea, and fainting.
In extreme cases cardiac arrest is possible. Extreme caution is advised
when athletes who are already substantially drained and dehydrated
continue their loop diuretic treatment with a "make it or die
atti-tude," or even continue the intake altogether with a
completely re-duced liquid intake. ATTENTION: The 500 mg tablet version
must not be used under any circumstances by persons with a normal kidney
function. Loop diuretics are prescription drugs and are only available
in pharmacies.