Torsemide is a diuretic (water pill) that's used to relieve swelling from extra fluids. It can sometimes be prescribed to lower blood pressure as well. Torsemide is taken by mouth, typically once daily. Since torsemide gets rid of extra water from your body, it often causes electrolyte levels to drop. Your provider might recommend you to take this medication with potassium supplements to balance out your elelctrolyte levels.
Swelling due to heart failure or kidney disease
Swelling due to liver disease (taken with other medications) - generic torsemide only
High blood pressure - generic torsemide only
Torsemide is a loop diuretic (water pill) that makes you urinate more. It works in the kidneys to get rid of extra water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium), which helps ease swelling and lower blood pressure.
Source:Â DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
convulsions
decreased urination
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
loss of appetite
mood changes
muscle pain or cramps
nausea or vomiting
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
shortness of breath
swelling of the hands, ankles, feet, or lower legs
unusual tiredness or weakness
Rare
Black, tarry stools
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a suddenly sitting or lying position
ringing or buzzing in the ears or any hearing loss
skin rash
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision
coma
confusion
decreased urine output
dizziness
drowsiness
fainting
fast heartbeat
headache
increase in heart rate
irritability
lightheadedness
rapid breathing
sunken eyes
sweating
unusual tiredness or weakness
weak pulse
wrinkled skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
More common
Increase in urination
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty in moving
increased cough
indigestion
joint pain
lack or loss of strength
muscle pain or stiffness
nervousness
pain in the joints
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swollen joints
trouble sleeping
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Starts working within 1 hour to get rid of extra fluid in your body
Good for people who have high blood pressure with heart failure or edema
Prevents fluid buildup if you have kidney problems
Available as a lower-cost generic medication
Makes you urinate more often
Can cause low levels of important electrolytes, such as potassium
Might need regular blood work and lab tests to make sure your kidneys are functioning normally
Not a good option for people who have gout
Torsemide is a water pill, which can cause you to urinate more often. It's best to take this medication in the morning or afternoon to avoid waking up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
Torsemide can cause lightheadedness and dizziness, especially during the first few days of therapy. To lower the chance of feeling dizzy, get up slowly from sitting or lying down. Avoid driving and doing tasks that require a lot of attention until you know how this medication affects you. If you feel like you're going to faint or pass out, let your provider know right away.
Torsemide might cause your blood sugar levels to go up. If you have a history of diabetes, your provider might ask you to check your blood sugar more often and track it over time. Let your provider know if you notice your blood sugar level going up after starting torsemide.
Since torsemide gets rid of extra fluid from your body, sometimes this can lead to too much water and electrolytes, specifically potassium, in the blood being lost. Tell your provider right away if you feel weak, have muscle pain or cramps, dizziness, fast heartbeat, or vomiting. You provider may ask you to take extra potassium if needed.
Getting rid of too much fluid can also lower your blood pressure. Make sure to monitor your blood pressure regularly and report any symptoms of dizziness to your provider.
Please tell your provider right away if you experience vomiting, diarrhea, or fever. Also, let them know if you haven't been drinking fluids as often as usual during treatment. These factors can lead to dehydration, which raises the risk of serious kidney problems.
Though extremely rare, torsemide can raise the risk of gout attacks. Tell your healthcare provider if you've had gout attacks in the past or currently have gout, so that they can monitor your condition closely.
Torsemide can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that lower blood pressure | Taking other medications that can cause kidney injury | Drinking alcohol
Torsemide gets rid of extra fluid from your body. But sometimes, this can drop your blood pressure too low or cause you to become dehydrated. Rarely, this can also lead to kidney injury. Some medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can raise your risk of kidney injury. Tell your provider about all the medications that you take before starting torsemide. Your provider will also monitor your blood work regularly to check your kidney health. Let your provider know if you often feel lightheaded or dizzy while taking torsemide so they can adjust your dose if needed. If you aren't able to urinate as much as usual or your urine is darker in color, let your provider know right away because these can be symptoms of kidney problems.
Risk factors: Current kidney problems | Taking medications that affect electrolytes | Hot weather
Torsemide can cause changes in your body's electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience symptoms of your electrolyte levels being out of balance, such as dry mouth, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, muscle pain or cramps, fast heart rate, vomiting, or nausea.
Torsemide can also cause higher blood sugar levels and higher levels of uric acid. Very rarely, high uric acid levels can lead to gout. Your provider might order blood tests regularly to monitor your electrolyte and blood sugar levels.
Risk factors: Current kidney problems | Higher doses of torsemide | Taking other medications that causes hearing problems
Torsemide can cause ringing in the ears or hearing loss. This is almost always temporary and improves after you stop the medication. However, there are rare cases of permanent hearing damage. Your risk is higher if you take higher doses of torsemide or have kidney problems. Talk with your provider if you've questions about torsemide and hearing problems.
Edema due to heart failure or kidney disease
Generic torsemide: The typical starting dose is 10 mg to 20 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider will adjust your dose depending on your response to the medication. The maximum dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily.
Soaanz: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider will adjust your dose depending on your response to the medication. The maximum dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily.
Edema due to liver disease
Generic torsemide: The typical starting dose is 5 mg to 10 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider will adjust your dose depending on your response to the medication. The maximum dose is 40 mg by mouth once daily.
High blood pressure
Generic torsemide: The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth once daily. Your provider will adjust your dose in 4-6 weeks depending on your response to the medication. The maximum dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
History of allergy to torsemide
Allergy to povidone (for generic torsemide)
Unable to urinate
Hepatic coma (Confusion or loss of brain function due to liver problems)
Swelling due to heart failure or kidney disease
Swelling due to liver disease (taken with other medications) - generic torsemide only
High blood pressure - generic torsemide only
Swelling (edema) due to congestive heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
Swelling (edema) due to heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems
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Aurobindo Pharma Limited. (2022). Torsemide - torsemide tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Low blood potassium.
Sarfez Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2021). Soaanz - torsemide tablet, film coated. DailyMed.
Shrimanker, I., et al. (2023). Electrolytes. StatPearls.
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