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Deafness associated with oral furosemide
Southern Medical Journal
|January 1, 1978
Summary
High-dose oral furosemide may cause hearing loss, especially in patients with kidney problems. Stopping the drug improved hearing, but impairment persisted after death.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Ophthalmology
- Ototoxicology
Background:
- Hodgkin's disease is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
- Renal insufficiency indicates impaired kidney function.
- Furosemide is a potent diuretic used to treat fluid overload.
Observation:
- A patient with Hodgkin's disease and renal insufficiency developed hearing loss during high-dose oral furosemide treatment.
- Hearing improved after furosemide was discontinued.
- Significant hearing impairment remained 11 days post-discontinuation, prior to the patient's death.
Findings:
- Oral furosemide administration was temporally associated with the onset of deafness.
- Discontinuation of furosemide led to partial hearing recovery.
Implications:
- High-dose oral furosemide should be considered a potential ototoxic agent.
- Caution is advised when prescribing furosemide to patients with compromised renal function due to increased ototoxicity risk.