Loop diuretic
Furosemide in Italy: prescription, brands, pricing
This page summarises the situation of Furosemide in Italy under AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco): prescription status, available brands and generics, pharmacy dispensing, and online options in EUR. Furosemide belongs to the Loop diuretic class.
- Regulator
- AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco)
- Currency
- EUR
About Furosemide
Furosemide is approved for the treatment of fluid overload due to heart failure, chronic kidney disease and liver cirrhosis (with or without ascites), as well as for acute pulmonary oedema. Italy uses class A (mostly free under SSN), class C (patient pays) and SOP/OTC tiers. Prescriptions are issued via SSN doctors with electronic prescriptions widely adopted.
Mechanism and action
Furosemide acts on the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle in the kidney, where it inhibits the Na+/K+/2Cl- co-transporter (NKCC2).
Brands and generics in Italy
In Italy, Furosemide is typically dispensed as one internationally recognised brand along with their corresponding authorised generics. Italian farmacie are heavily regulated independent businesses, with a strong pharmacist-as-consultant tradition. Para-farmacie can sell OTC products outside the traditional pharmacy network. Brand-to-generic substitution is decided by the pharmacist under local AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco) equivalence rules, and the price difference in EUR is usually substantial.
Online and tele-prescribing access
Online sale of prescription medication is not permitted in Italy; AIFA-registered online pharmacies handle OTC only. Tele-prescribing through SSN doctors has expanded for chronic conditions. For Furosemide specifically, the legal online options in Italy depend on its Rx-or-OTC classification under AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco).
Frequently asked questions
Is Furosemide available in Italy? ▾
Yes — Furosemide and its brands are available in Italy through pharmacies authorised by AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco), in various strengths depending on the commercial product. Authorised generics offer a lower-cost alternative with the same active substance.
Do I need a prescription for Furosemide in Italy? ▾
Italy uses class A (mostly free under SSN), class C (patient pays) and SOP/OTC tiers. Prescriptions are issued via SSN doctors with electronic prescriptions widely adopted. The exact status of Furosemide (Rx or OTC) is determined by AIFA (Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco); most active ingredients in the Loop diuretic class require prescription, although there are exceptions by country and formulation.
How much does Furosemide cost in Italy? ▾
The price in EUR depends on the manufacturer (brand vs authorised generic), the strength and the pack size. Generics are typically substantially cheaper than brands and serve as the economic reference for ongoing use.
Products with Furosemide in Italy
Furosemide in other countries
The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.