Furosemide decreases ventilation in young rabbits.

To test the hypothesis that furosemide would cause metabolic alkalosis and thus alveolar hypoventilation, normal rabbit pups were given either furosemide (4 mg/kg/day) or saline solution for the first 8 to 10 days of life. Pups given furosemide developed primary metabolic alkalosis and reduced ventilation, which resulted in secondary respiratory acidosis. Lung compliance was improved by furosemide, and the ventilatory response to CO2 was unaffected. KCl injection in alkalotic pups increased ventilation and decreased pH. The data show that conventional doses of furosemide can (1) cause metabolic alkalosis and reduce ventilation; (2) increase the PaCO2, which reflects changes in acid-base status and not changes in lung function; and (3) increase lung compliance, perhaps by decreasing lung water. When these effects occur in infants with chronic lung disease, the beneficial effect of furosemide may be obscured.