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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Appetite Loss And Weight Loss While Suffering From Pleural Effusion?

My elderly father has plueral effussion (from CHF) is on high dose frusemide. Since taking it, he has loss of appetite and weight loss. Are there alternatives? He needs to gain weight before he will be considered for BAV. I just read about tolvaptan; is this an alternative?
posted on Tue, 4 Jul 2017
Twitter Tue, 21 Aug 2018 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 28 Aug 2018 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hi,

In elderly patients (>64 years), Furosemide should be started at a lower dose and then titrated according to the response and its side effects. Furosemide is a choice of drug for pleural effusion or pulmonary edema so here it has started initially.

Tolvaptan is used for hyponatremia associated with cirrhosis, SIADH or heart failure, therefore, here, it is not advisable.

Ask your treating physician to lower the dose.

Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Causes Appetite Loss And Weight Loss While Suffering From Pleural Effusion?

Hi, In elderly patients ( 64 years), Furosemide should be started at a lower dose and then titrated according to the response and its side effects. Furosemide is a choice of drug for pleural effusion or pulmonary edema so here it has started initially. Tolvaptan is used for hyponatremia associated with cirrhosis, SIADH or heart failure, therefore, here, it is not advisable. Ask your treating physician to lower the dose. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.