Furosemide is the most powerful and most widely used diuretic drug in the
world. The injectable version is fast-acting, and dries someone out like
prune. Its used in the medical field, mostly in the emergency room, to purge
people who have ingested large doses of toxins, hoping that the toxins can
be excreted before they enter the system and so avoiding worse problems. It
also makes a good shock treatment for people who are admitted with
dangerously high blood pressure. Its very multi-functional, but its also a
very dangerous drug. It signals the body to immediately excrete both
intracellular and extracellular water, and with it the key electrolytes
sodium and potassium. This can lead to severe problems. Muscle contraction
is based on the exchange of electrolytes. That means in first instance an
electrolyte imbalance can causing cramping and other irregularities in
muscle contraction. Now if its only a calf or a bicep, no harm done in the
long run. But when its your heart muscle, that's another story. In 1985
professional bodybuilder Mohammed "Momo" Benazziza fell dead after winning a
Grand Prix, the cause of death was believed to be his pre-contest use of the
diuretic Lasix.

In most sports diuretics are used to lose small amounts of weight in a hurt.
If you compete in weight classes and need to drop a pound in an hour, lasix
will do the trick for you. Cleans the water from your body and you are
lighter. If you have a match the next day, you are probably heavier again,
so a major advantage. In bodybuilding the use of diuretics is for another
reason entirely. The aim is after all to show as much muscle as possible,
and to show as much definition and striation within that muscle.
Unfortunately even at the dangerously low body-fat percentages bodybuilders
compete at, a lot of that definition may still be hidden under layers of
subcutaneous water. By using diuretics, that water can be shed and the
maximum potential of a physique can be retained. In many cases, the levels
of water retained by an athlete has made the difference between doing very
well and doing very poorly. And the differences in the water household
between the pre-judging of a contest and the evening show have sometimes
made the difference between several placings. So diuretics have become an
integral part of bodybuilding over the last 20 years.

Furosemide comes in oral tablets of 20 and 40 mg and in an injectable form.
The injectable is the most potent. Its injected intravenously, as opposed to
most steroids which are injected intramuscularly. It can become active in a
matter of minutes and has a drastic effect. But as described previously,
also a very dangerous one. The orals will usually take 60-90 minutes to kick
in, but have a fairly drastic effect themselves. Furosemide is without a
doubt the most potent diuretic in the world. An athlete will rarely opt to
take more than 40 mg daily, and only in the last 4 or 5 days leading up to a
show. The Injectable version is only used pre-contest, especially if there
is testing. Testing for diuretics has become very popular in bodybuilding of
late, and that has driven more athletes to wait until after taking their
piss, and then inject some Lasix to get rid of the last bit of water.
Needless to say this is a reckless practice. If a stronger effect is
required, athletes are more likely to opt for adding another, milder
diuretic like spironolactone (Aldactone), instead of increasing the dosage
of lasix. There are a number of combination diuretics like Lasilactone that
enjoy great popularity in the sports sector. Usually they near the potency
of using twice as much lasix, but with much less hazard.

Stacking and Use:
Since its so harmful and potentially lifethreatening, furosemide should only
be used the last 4-7 days leading up to a contest, with around 20 mg a day,
40 mg at the very most. If a stronger effect is needed, additioning a milder
diuretic is advised. 50 mg of spironolactone or hydrochlorthiazide, which
are potassium sparing diuretics, will usually do the trick. Adding a
potassium supplement to furosemide is wise, 1500-3000 mg daily normally.
This keeps electrolytes somewhat in balance and helps prevent the worst of
side effects such as nausea, dizziness and cramping. There isn't much use
for ancillary drugs with furosemide otherwise. Its an anti-hypertensive in
itself, so it could offer relief after a dieting period with ephedrine,
clenbuterol and high dose androgens. One should always take care to
replenish his water and salt intake after use is discontinued.

Many users will note a very distinct bloating after discontinuing the
product, sometimes to the point where everyday movement is near impossible.
During the use of this product extremely heavy and painful cramps can occur,
as well as Diarrhea, dehydration, dry mouth, dizziness and nausea.