Antiallergic potential of furosemide.

Recent reports have indicated the effectiveness of furosemide in inhibiting responses to inhaled allergen and in treating allergic conjunctivitis. In the present study furosemide was tested for its antiallergic potential using compound 48/80 induced paw edema and in vitro mast cell degranulation. Furosemide was found to significantly inhibit compound 48/80 paw edema and compound 48/80 induced histamine release. Furosemide was also found to inhibit histamine release during passive peritoneal anaphylaxis in rats. The results suggest that furosemide may be inhibiting the release of mediators of anaphylaxis from the mast cells.