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I have given huge doses of furosemide but not by continuous infusion. It can be given as an infusion though in renal failure. See Intravenous Medications monograph. There are very serious side effects with this drug. First rule out all sulfa allergies and watch carefully for allergy to develop. My father recently had an allergic reaction to furosemide after taking it po for a long time. The next biggest issue would be ototoxicity and hypocalcemia. Lynn

   We send patients home with continuous lasix or bumex.  The same type of patient will sometimes go home with a continuous milrinone infusion, which is much more risky than lasix, yet even that is considered safe when compared to the benefit.  

   Patients sent home on continuous lasix have already been on it in the hospital and we usually have their potassium replacement needs well dialed in.  Continuous IV lasix really doesn't affect potassium levels differently than PO, yet patients are often started on PO lasix outside of the hospital setting where they aren't getting daily potassium levels drawn, making it less of an issue with most patients sent home on IV lasix.  K+ levels are drawn based on the MD, and is usually determined by dosage changes and history of potassium level stability. Ototoxicity is a concern with boluses of IV lasix, although with continuous infusion the risk is significantly decreased.  

   The advantage to continous infusion is that it can be much more effective in diuresing third spaced fluid and usually produces more overall diuresis that using the same dose given as boluses.  Patients with very poor heart function also may not tolerate the swings that occur with fluid balance when doses are given as boluses (either IV or PO) compared to a continuous infusion.