Torsemide (By mouth)
TORE-se-mide
Treats fluid retention (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease. This medicine also treats high blood pressure alone or together with other blood pressure medicines. This medicine is a diuretic (“water pill”).
Drug classes
Cardiovascular Agent (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Torsemide belongs to the group of medicines called loop diuretics. Torsemide is given to help reduce the amount of water in the body in certain conditions, such as congestive heart failure, severe liver disease (cirrhosis), or kidney disease. It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine.
Torsemide is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the work load of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Torsemide is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions about any special diet. You may need to eat foods that are high in potassium (such as oranges or bananas) to prevent potassium loss while you are using this medicine.
If a dose is missed:
Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are using digoxin (Lanoxin®), cholestyramine (Questran®), probenecid (Benemid®), or lithium (Lithane®, Lithobid®, Eskalith®).
Tell your doctor if you are also using any other diuretic (such as ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, Edecrin®, Lasix®), pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, ibuprofen, indomethacin, Aleve®, Motrin®), or medicine to treat an infection (such as amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin, Amikin®, Garamycin®).
When Not To Use
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to torsemide or other medicines called sulfonylureas (such as tolazamide, chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, glipizide, glyburide, Tolinase®, Diabinase®, Tol-Tab®, Glucophage®, Glucotrol®, Glucovance®). You should not use this medicine if you cannot urinate because of kidney failure or other problems.
Warnings
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, gout, or have had low potassium levels in your blood.
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any sulfa drugs (sulfonamides).
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Chest pain.
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, problems urinating, nausea, or vomiting.
Fast or uneven heartbeat.
Hearing loss, or ringing in your ears.
Unusual tiredness or weakness.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or upset stomach.
Urinating more than usual.
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Demadex
There may be other brand names for this medicine.