Torsemide Dosages for Adults: Your GoodRx Guide

Conditions such as heart failure and kidney disease can cause fluid buildup (edema). That’s why “water pills,” known as diuretics, are commonly prescribed for these conditions. Diuretics help remove excess fluid from your body. They also help lower your blood pressure.

Torsemide (Soaanz) is part of a group of diuretics called loop diuretics. Your torsemide dosage may change regularly based on how much fluid you need to get rid of. We’ll review commonly prescribed torsemide dosages below. But it’s important to follow your prescriber’s specific instructions for taking torsemide.

Keep in mind: Torsemide isn’t approved for use in children, so we’ll only cover adult dosages here.

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What’s the typical torsemide dosage for adults?

The typical torsemide dosage for adults depends on why you’re taking it. It also depends on how you respond to initial doses.

You may only need to take torsemide for a short time period to remove excess fluid. Or, you may need it long term to manage your health condition. Ask your prescriber how long they expect you to take torsemide.

Edema

Edema can happen with several health conditions, including heart failure, kidney disease, and liver cirrhosis (permanent scarring of liver tissue). Having edema can force your body to work harder and cause more health problems. For example, in heart failure, fluid can build up around your heart and cause symptoms such as tiredness and shortness of breath. In kidney disease, edema may cause swollen ankles and feet. 

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Diuretics like torsemide can reduce edema and improve symptoms. The initial torsemide dosages for edema from various conditions are:

• Heart failure: 10 mg or 20 mg once daily

• Chronic kidney disease: 20 mg once daily

• Liver cirrhosis: 5 mg or 10 mg once daily

If you’re still experiencing symptoms of edema, you may need a higher torsemide dosage. Your prescriber can increase your dose slowly until your body gets rid of enough fluid (through peeing). For heart failure and chronic kidney disease, the usual maximum dose is 200 mg per day. For liver cirrhosis, the maximum dosage is 40 mg per day.

Good to know: There are many types of diuretics. Sometimes, multiple diuretics are used at once. For example, in liver cirrhosis, you’ll probably be prescribed another type of diuretic that helps maintain your potassium levels. This is because loop diuretics, such as torsemide, get rid of electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) when they remove water. Diuretics that help maintain potassium levels are called potassium-sparing diuretics. One example is spironolactone (Aldactone).

High blood pressure

Although it’s not a first-choice medication, torsemide can be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Torsemide can treat hypertension by removing fluid from the body, which lowers blood pressure.

The usual torsemide dose for hypertension is 5 mg once daily. If this dose doesn’t adequately improve blood pressure after 4 to 6 weeks, the dose may be raised to 10 mg once daily. And if a 10 mg dose still doesn’t help you reach your blood pressure goal, your prescriber might have you take a second blood pressure medication.

Are there any dosage adjustments for medical conditions?

There aren’t any specific dosage adjustments for people with different medical conditions or older age, as is sometimes the case with other medications. However, your prescriber may have you take a lower dose if you’re prone to having low blood pressure (hypotension). A lower dose can help reduce the chances of your blood pressure dropping too low.

If you take medications that can interact with torsemide, you may need a higher or lower dose. So make sure your prescriber and pharmacist have a list of all the medications and over-the-counter products you take. This will help them check for drug interactions and decide whether they need to adjust your dose.

What happens if you miss a dose of torsemide?

If you forget to take a scheduled dose of torsemide, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. But skip the missed dose if it’s close to your next dose. Then continue your regular schedule. Don’t take an extra dose to try and make up for a missed dose.

But there may be exceptions to this. If you miss a dose and your edema is worsening, you may need an extra dose. Signs of fluid buildup include:

• Ascites (fluid buildup in the abdomen)

• Sudden weight gain

• Shortness of breath

• Not urinating as often

• Feet and leg swelling

If this is the case, contact your healthcare team and ask them what to do next. Don’t take extra doses without talking to them first.

What should you do if you take too much torsemide?

If you accidentally take an extra dose of torsemide, you may be more likely to have side effects. Common side effects of too much torsemide include low blood pressure, needing to pee more often, and ringing in the ears. Low electrolyte levels, such as low potassium and sodium, are also possible. You might not notice symptoms of low electrolyte levels, but it could cause fatigue, nausea, or muscle cramps. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, let your healthcare team know or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Taking a large amount of torsemide can be dangerous. This may cause extremely low blood pressure, severe dehydration, and abnormal heart rhythm. If you’re experiencing symptoms that feel severe, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

How to save on torsemide

There are ways to save on torsemide, which is available as a generic and brand-name medication. GoodRx can help you save money on your prescription.

• Save with GoodRx: Generic torsemide’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $8.92 with a free GoodRx coupon.

• Find exclusive savings: Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to purchase 30 tablets of Soaanz at an exclusive cash price of $89.78.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP

Austin Ulrich, PharmD, BCACP, is a board-certified ambulatory care clinical pharmacist. In his early career, he provided direct patient care in a variety of settings, including hospital and community pharmacies, and in a primary care clinic as a clinical pharmacist.

Edited by:

Amy B. Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS

Amy Gragnolati, PharmD, BCPS, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. Amy currently holds her pharmacist license in Georgia and California.

Reviewed by:

Daphne Berryhill, RPh

Daphne Berryhill, RPh, has two decades of experience as a clinical pharmacist. She spent most of her career in the Chicago area practicing in-home infusion.

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