Lasix

Lasix have been one of the most popular diuretics in competitive bodybuilding for decades for one reason and one reason only; the ability to shed water is very powerful and there are few diuretics that can do so as effectively and efficiently as Lasix. However, due to the power of this diuretic it can cause a host of problems that far outweigh any benefit one might receive when used for performance purposes and increasingly other options have become far more popular.

Comprised of the drug Furosemide, Lasix were developed to treat conditions such as congestive heart failure and high blood pressure or any condition that might cause severe edema. As this medication can help remove unwanted fluid in the body to treat these conditions it will have the same effect on a competitor looking to remove unwanted fluid before a competition. Not only will it get the job done but it will do so at a very quick rate, so much so that if you take Lasix you’ll find yourself going to the bathroom at an almost non-stop rate until the medication clears the system; which is about 3-4 hours.

Available most commonly in tablet form, Lasix can be obtained in an injectable solution. While the tablet form will take approximately one hour to take affect injectable Lasix will begin to work immediately. However, regardless of the mode of administration the end results are the same and make no mistake, the results can be very, very harsh.

Lasix will not only remove excess water at a high rate but it will flush sodium and potassium from your body in high amounts as well. As competitive bodybuilders are the most prone to use this medication for performance purposes this can create a host of serious problems. Most notably and commonly is severe cramping; we’re not talking about a slight cramp in the hamstring but cramps all over that will not go away. Because of this problem many competitors opt for potassium sparing diuretics such as Dyazide; although not as powerful as Lasix, with proper dieting protocol the desired results can be achieved without the nasty side-effects.

Even though Lasix will cause an electrolyte imbalance we can correct this with proper nutrition coupled with our Lasix therapy but even then we are not out of the water. Many competitors will overdo their diuretic use and leave the muscles very flat looking, almost stringy instead of round and full; this can happen with any diuretic but Lasix even more so. It’s not uncommon to see bodybuilders pumping themselves full of glucose through an IV to combat this problem.

If you decide to use Lasix for your competition, for a Saturday pre-judging we would recommend use begins the Friday before; the power of this medication will not require you to start any earlier. Further, you will need to supplement with potassium chloride but please keep the dose of potassium chloride reasonable, as too much can lead to cardiac arrest; simply follow the directions of the bottle of potassium chloride you buy. Further, do not cut your water too much too early, this will only make matters worse. Most competitors will be fine by cutting back on Friday and stopping all water intake by 7p.m. on Friday night before a Saturday morning pre-judging.