On two occasions severe oedema (12 to 13 kg weight gain) developed over 10 to 14 days in a patient taking
furosemide after he also took a preparation containing ginseng and
germanium.
The significance of this interaction is unclear. The effects were attributed to the
germanium. Note that the patient did not respond to increased doses of oral
furosemide, but did respond to
intravenous furosemide. Also, it has been said that the use of
germanium should be discouraged due to its potential to cause
renal toxicity.