A personal note from Vladimir Fanshil & Eleanor Lyons
Live at Yours began in the most unexpected way — in our own living room. In 2020, when the world fell silent, we refused to believe that music should exist only on screens. So we gathered a handful of people, pulled the chairs close, and performed for twenty guests at a time. Those evenings were small, fragile, unforgettable — and they reminded us why we became musicians: to share something real, something human, something that only exists when people come together.
A New Way to Experience Music
In the first years, we travelled across NSW and the ACT, giving more than 50 performances in lounge rooms, coffee roasteries, tin sheds in the outback, art galleries, churches, synagogues and regional theatres.
It was in those intimate settings that we connected deeply with locals, listened to their feedback, and discovered what Australians truly value in live music: informal yet refined, relaxed yet deeply sincere, intimate yet world-class.
Those conversations shaped everything — from our welcoming tone to having no intervals, allowing the emotional arc to flow without interruption. This is how we crafted the ultimate listening experience we offer today: personal, natural and genuinely shared.
From a lounge room to a national stage
Live at Yours has now grown far beyond our living room — into concert spaces across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Orange, Castlemaine and beyond — yet the essence remains unchanged.
Every venue is chosen for its story and atmosphere. Every performance is lit and shaped to feel close, warm and immersive. And every artist who joins us shares our belief in vulnerability, honesty and connection.
World-class artists, up close
Extraordinary artists, shared in intimate spaces — where every detail comes alive.
Richard Tognetti
Yamen Saadi
Alexander Gavrylyuk
Emily Sun
Elena Kats-Chernin
Andrew Haveron
Kristian Winther
Rosanna Rolton
Vatche Jambazian
Elina Faskhi
Stefanie Farrands
Simon Tedeschi
Committed to the next generation
As Live at Yours grows, so does our responsibility to young musicians. Through masterclasses, mentoring, and partnerships with ANAM and the Sydney Conservatorium, we help the next generation experience the same intimacy and inspiration that shaped our early years.
Thank you for being part of this journey!
We can’t wait to welcome you — up close, and personal.
Furosemide in Australia: A Doctor’s Guide to Relieving Fluid Overload and Reclaiming Your Life
If you are over 30 and have ever experienced swollen ankles, shoes that suddenly feel too tight, waking up gasping for breath, or a frightening hospital visit because of fluid on the lungs, you know how exhausting and scary fluid overload can be. As an Australian doctor, I see this every week in my clinic. The good news is that one of the most effective, affordable, and well-studied medicines for this problem is available right here in Australia: furosemide. In this article, I want to explain why furosemide is so valuable, answer the questions I hear most often from my patients, and help you understand whether it might be right for you — so you can have a more informed conversation with your GP.
What Is Furosemide?
Furosemide belongs to a group of medicines called loop diuretics, often referred to as “fluid tablets” or “water pills.” It works by helping your kidneys remove extra salt and water from your body through urine. This reduces swelling, lowers blood pressure when needed, and relieves the breathlessness that comes from fluid building up in the lungs.
Furosemide Fast Facts for Australian Patients
| Feature |
Detail |
| Drug class |
Loop diuretic |
| Available forms in Australia |
20 mg, 40 mg, and 500 mg tablets; oral liquid; injection |
| Common brands |
Lasix, Frusid, Uremide, and generic furosemide |
| Prescription status |
Schedule 4 — requires a valid Australian prescription |
| Typical onset of action |
Oral: 30–60 minutes; IV: about 5 minutes |
| Typical duration |
About 6 hours after an oral dose |
| PBS availability |
Many brands are PBS listed for heart failure and oedema, keeping costs low |
Why Australian Doctors Trust Furosemide
Fluid overload is not just uncomfortable — it can be dangerous. When fluid builds up in the lungs, the heart has to work harder, oxygen levels drop, and everyday activities like walking to the letterbox or making a cup of tea become exhausting. Furosemide works quickly and predictably. In my practice, I have seen patients go from struggling to breathe while sitting still to sleeping comfortably through the night after starting furosemide. That kind of relief is life-changing.
Many patients over 30 are also balancing work, family, and caring for ageing parents. The last thing you need is to be slowed down by swollen legs or repeated hospital admissions. Furosemide, when used correctly under medical supervision, can help you stay active, stay out of hospital, and feel more like yourself again.
Your Questions Answered
Below are the questions I hear most often in my Australian clinic, answered honestly and clearly.
Does furosemide cause a change in serum sodium?
Yes, furosemide can change your serum sodium level. It usually lowers sodium by making your kidneys excrete more sodium in the urine. In most patients, this effect is mild and manageable, especially when you have regular blood tests. However, if you drink excessive amounts of water or have heart failure or liver disease, the sodium can drop too low, leading to confusion, fatigue, or muscle cramps. That is why your doctor will monitor your sodium levels when starting or changing your dose. The benefit of furosemide is that this effect is predictable — and we know how to manage it.
Can furosemide be used in patients with hypokalemia?
Furosemide can cause low potassium (hypokalemia), so it is generally not started until low potassium has been corrected. If you already have hypokalemia, your doctor will first treat that — usually with potassium supplements or a potassium-rich diet — before prescribing furosemide. Once your potassium is stable, furosemide can be used safely, often alongside a potassium-sparing diuretic or regular potassium monitoring. This is not a reason to avoid furosemide; it is simply a reason to use it the right way.
Can furosemide be used in patients with diabetes?
Yes, furosemide can be used in patients with diabetes, but it requires extra awareness. Furosemide can raise blood glucose levels in some people, so your doctor may ask you to check your blood sugar more often and may adjust your diabetes medicines. Many Australians with heart failure or kidney problems also have diabetes, and furosemide remains a very useful treatment. With proper monitoring, the benefits of reducing fluid overload usually outweigh this manageable side effect.
Does furosemide cause a decrease in serum albumin?
Furosemide does not directly break down albumin or cause your liver to make less albumin. However, furosemide is highly bound to albumin in the blood. If your albumin is already low — for example, due to liver disease, kidney disease, or malnutrition — furosemide may not work as well because less of the drug reaches its target in the kidney. In that situation, your doctor may need to use a higher dose or treat the underlying cause of the low albumin. Low albumin is not a reason to avoid furosemide; it is a signal that your doctor needs to tailor the dose carefully.
What is the role of furosemide in heart failure management in Australia?
Furosemide is a cornerstone of heart failure management in Australia. According to Australian and international heart failure guidelines, loop diuretics like furosemide are the first-choice treatment for relieving congestion — the fluid buildup that causes breathlessness, swollen ankles, and fatigue. In acute heart failure, furosemide is often given intravenously in hospital to rapidly remove fluid from the lungs. In chronic heart failure, it is used at home to keep fluid levels stable, reduce symptoms, and prevent hospital readmissions. While it does not cure heart failure, it dramatically improves quality of life and helps people stay out of hospital.
Furosemide’s Role in Australian Heart Failure Care
| Setting |
How Furosemide Is Used |
Key Benefit |
| Acute pulmonary oedema |
IV furosemide in hospital |
Rapid relief of severe breathlessness |
| Chronic heart failure |
Oral daily or twice-daily dosing at home |
Prevents fluid buildup, reduces hospital visits |
| Maintenance under GP/cardiologist |
Dose adjusted based on weight, symptoms, and blood tests |
Keeps heart failure stable and improves daily function |
Can furosemide be used in patients with high output heart failure?
High output heart failure is a special situation where the heart is pumping a large volume of blood but the body’s tissues still do not get enough oxygen because of conditions like severe anaemia, thyrotoxicosis, liver disease, or obesity. In these patients, furosemide can be used cautiously to treat fluid congestion, but it must be done carefully because removing too much fluid can reduce the heart’s output and make symptoms worse. The key is to treat the underlying cause — for example, correcting anaemia or thyroid hormone levels — while using furosemide only as needed for congestion. Australian specialists often use lower doses and monitor these patients closely.
Can furosemide cause pseudotumor cerebri?
Pseudotumor cerebri, also called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a condition of increased pressure around the brain that causes headaches, vision changes, and ringing in the ears. Furosemide is not a recognised cause of pseudotumor cerebri. In fact, some older medical literature mentions diuretics as part of the treatment strategy for reducing intracranial pressure, although acetazolamide is more commonly used for that purpose. If you are taking furosemide and develop severe headache, blurred vision, or ringing in the ears, do not ignore it — see your doctor promptly, because these symptoms always deserve assessment.
How to store furosemide in a blister pack?
Furosemide tablets should be stored below 25°C, protected from light and moisture. If you use a blister pack or Webster-pak, keep it in a cool, dry place — not the bathroom or kitchen windowsill. Do not remove tablets from the blister pack until you are ready to take them, because exposure to air and moisture can reduce their effectiveness. Many Australian pharmacies prepare weekly or monthly blister packs for patients over 30, especially those on multiple medicines, and furosemide remains stable in these packs as long as they are stored correctly. Check the expiry date and never use tablets that have changed colour, smell unusual, or become damp.
Quick Safety and Monitoring Table
What Your Doctor Will Monitor
| Parameter |
Why It Matters |
Typical Frequency |
| Sodium |
Detect low sodium early |
Before starting, then every 1–3 months or as directed |
| Potassium |
Prevent dangerous heart rhythm changes |
Before starting, then regularly |
| Kidney function |
Ensure kidneys are responding well |
Before starting, then every 3–6 months |
| Blood pressure |
Avoid excessive lowering or dizziness |
At each GP visit |
| Blood glucose |
Important if you have diabetes |
More frequently at first |
The Bottom Line: Why Furosemide Deserves Your Attention
Living with fluid overload, heart failure, or severe oedema is exhausting. It steals your energy, limits your movement, and can make you feel like you are constantly fighting for breath. Furosemide is not a new, experimental drug — it has been used in Australia for decades and remains one of the most reliable tools doctors have to give patients their lives back. When used correctly, it relieves swollen legs, opens up the lungs, reduces hospital admissions, and helps you get back to the activities you enjoy.
Of course, furosemide is a prescription medicine, and it is not suitable for everyone. It should only be used under the supervision of an Australian doctor who knows your full medical history. But if you have been struggling with breathlessness, swelling, or frequent hospital visits due to fluid overload, furosemide may be the missing piece in your care plan.
Your Next Step
Do not wait until your symptoms get worse. Book an appointment with your GP and ask: “Could furosemide help me?” Bring along a list of your medicines, a record of your symptoms, and any questions from this article. Your doctor can check your sodium, potassium, kidney function, and blood pressure, and decide whether furosemide is safe and appropriate for you. If it is prescribed, you can have the script filled at any Australian pharmacy, often at a low PBS-subsidised price. With the right monitoring and timing, many people find furosemide gives them a new lease on life.
Take the first step today — talk to your doctor about whether furosemide is right for you.
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