Home diuretic service – subcutaneous furosemide
Read our guide below about diuretic treatment at home.
You can also download a PDF version of this patient information by following the link on the right.
Why do I need diuretics?
People with heart failure can get extra fluid (water) because the heart isn’t pumping properly. This fluid (water) can be in the lungs which makes you feel short of breath. It can also be in your legs or abdomen (around your tummy area) which causes swelling and can be uncomfortable.
How do diuretics work?
Medicines called diuretics (often called water tablets) work on the kidneys causing you to pass more urine (wee) so your body can get rid of this extra fluid. The usual diuretics given are called furosemide and bumetanide.
How will I be given diuretics?
Sometimes the tablets don’t get rid of the extra fluid even if we increase the dose. If this happens we can give the medicine by injection instead. It will be given
subcutaneously (when a cannula is placed under the skin). It can be inserted in different places such as the abdomen (tummy area) or arm and the diuretic is
given by a small machine over 24 hours.
We’ll do blood tests as needed and a healthcare professional will visit to check on you at home.
What are the advantages of having this treatment at home?
It can stop you having to go to hospital or if you’re in hospital already, you can go home sooner.
What are the disadvantages of having this treatment at home?
When you’re in hospital there are doctors and nurses available 24 hours a day. At home you won’t be checked as often as you would be in hospital so your family member or carer may need to be at home to help look after you.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects include:
Dizziness on standing
This is due to a drop in blood pressure (postural hypotension). If this does happen, we may need to reduce the dose. Sometimes we may need to change your other tablets.
Passing more urine (weeing more)
If the diuretics work, you may need go to the toilet more than usual. You need to be able to get to the toilet/commode easily or have a urine bottle close to hand. If you find it difficult to get out of bed, you may need a catheter (a tube inserted into the bladder) to make it easier for you.
Changes in your kidney function. Diuretics can affect your kidneys so regular blood tests may be needed so that we can check how your kidneys are coping and adapt
your treatment if needed.
Soreness, redness or swelling near the cannula
The area around the cannula will be checked by the nurse every time the infusion is set up and when it has finished. If any soreness develops we can change the cannula to a different part of your body. If there are any signs of infection you may need an antibiotic.
Gout
This may happen with higher doses of any diuretics.
Hearing disorders and tinnitus (small risk)
Although this is rare, deafness may occur which may not always be reversible.
What if it doesn’t work?
If that happens we’ll discuss your wishes and explain what else we can try. You may need to go into hospital for more treatment or you may decide to stay at home.
You may have already completed an advance care plan stating what you’d like for care and the team can discuss this with you.
Who provides this service?
A virtual ward team by the hospital runs it. It’s a group of health care professionals including and advanced care practitioners, as well as nurses, who specialise in providing care in the home.
What if there’s a problem (harm, risks, complaints procedure)?
If you have any side effects, then we’ll review the treatment possibly stop it. We can also stop the treatment at any time at your request.
You’ll have contact numbers for the team involved in your care, including out of hours contact numbers. If you have questions or concerns about your treatment and care, speak to one of the nurses who will do their best to answer your questions.
About this information
This is intended as general information only. We make the information as up to date and accurate as possible, but it’s subject to change. Check specific advice on any concerns you may have with your doctor.
How can you help reduce healthcare associated infections?
Infection prevention and control is important to the wellbeing of our patients so we have infection prevention and control procedures in place. Keeping your hands clean is an effective way of preventing the spread of infections. Follow our infection prevention and control guidelines when visiting our healthcare sites.