From the Guidelines
Lasix (furosemide) is not recommended for treating venous insufficiency. The most recent and highest quality study, published in the American Family Physician in 2019 1, does not mention furosemide as a treatment option for varicose veins or venous insufficiency. Instead, the study suggests that treatment options for varicose veins include:
- Conservative measures such as compression, elevation of the affected leg, lifestyle modifications, and weight loss
- Phlebotonics, such as horse chestnut seed extract, which may provide symptomatic relief
- Interventional procedures, including thermal ablation, endovenous sclerotherapy, and surgery
The use of diuretics like furosemide may occasionally be considered for short-term symptom relief of edema associated with venous insufficiency, but it is not a primary treatment and can cause electrolyte imbalances, dehydration, and kidney problems with long-term use. The treatment of venous insufficiency should focus on improving venous return and strengthening vein walls, rather than simply reducing fluid volume. Therefore, furosemide is not considered an effective long-term solution for venous insufficiency.
From the Research
Effectiveness of Lasix for Venous Insufficiency
- Lasix (furosemide) is a diuretic that can provide short-term improvement of edema associated with venous insufficiency, but it does not offer long-term benefits 2, 3, 4.
- The primary treatment for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is compression therapy, which can be achieved using compression bandaging, compression pumps, or graduated compression stockings 2, 5, 6, 4.
- Other treatment options for CVI include topical steroid creams, which can reduce inflammation and pain in the short term, but may be detrimental in the long run 2, and endovascular and surgical techniques that minimize valvular reflux and relieve venous obstruction 2, 5, 4.
- Herbal supplements, such as horse chestnut seed extract, may also be effective in reducing the symptoms of CVI, but their efficacy, quality, and safety can vary 6, 4.
- Diuretics like Lasix are not a primary treatment for CVI and are only used to eliminate preexisting obstructive edemas, with no long-term benefits 3.