Pharmacokinetics of furosemide in patients with hepatic cirrhosis

The pharmacokinetics of furosemide was studied in 7 patients with diagnosed liver cirrhosis and in 7 healthy subjects. Furosemide in plasma and ascitic fluid was analyzed spectrofluorometrically. After a single intravenous dose, the cirrhotic patients showed lower initial plasma concentrations of furosemide because of the larger volume of distribution. The mean half-life in cirrhotic patients was significantly greater than in healthy volunteers. The longer half-life was associated with a reduction in the serum clearance of furosemide. Ascitic fluid volume in the patients ranged from 4.6 to 7.71. There was no significant amount of furosemide in the fluid. The diuretic interchange between this fluid and plasma was slow, as peak concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 0.5 microgram/ml within 3 to 5 h after bolus administration of furosemide. Diuresis and urinary sodium excretion, 5 h after furosemide injection, were similar in both groups; larger potassium excretion was found in the cirrhotic patients.