torsemide
Torsemide is used to relieve swelling from extra fluids in the body. It can also treat high blood pressure in adults. It belongs to the drug class called diuretics (or water pills). You usually take your dosage by mouth once daily. Because of the way the medication works, it can make you urinate more and cause your electrolyte levels to drop as side effects.
What is Torsemide?
What is Torsemide used for?
- Swelling (edema) due to heart failure, kidney problems, or liver problems
- High blood pressure
How Torsemide works
Torsemide is a type of water pill called a loop diuretic. It works in the kidneys to get rid of extra water and electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) in the body. It makes you urinate them out. This helps lower blood pressure and reduce swelling in the body from fluid buildup.
Drug facts
Side effects of Torsemide
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Urinating more
Less Common Side Effects
- Higher blood sugar levels
- Lower potassium levels
Torsemide serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Low blood pressure: dizziness, lightheaded, fainting
- Severe dehydration: dizziness, confusion, exhaustion, dry skin, dark urine, not urinating as much as usual
- Electrolyte imbalance: dizziness, tiredness, headache, muscle weakness, muscle cramps, shortness of breath, confusion
- Serious skin reaction: painful blisters, peeling skin, rash
More on Torsemide side effects
The following Torsemide side effects have also been reported
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.
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Pros and cons of Torsemide
Pros
- Taken once daily
- Starts working within 1 to 2 hours
Cons
- Makes you urinate more often
- Might need regular lab tests to check your electrolyte levels and make sure your kidneys are working well
Pharmacist tips for Torsemide
- Torsemide is a water pill that can make you urinate more often. It's best to take this medication in the morning or early afternoon. This can help to avoid waking up in the middle of the night to use the restroom.
- Torsemide can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy, especially when you first start taking it. This happens because the medication can lower your blood pressure. Get up slowly after sitting or lying down to avoid falling. If you feel like you might faint or pass out, sit down until you feel better. Tell your prescriber if the dizziness doesn't go away or keeps bothering you.
- Tell your healthcare team if you feel weak, tired, dizzy, or nauseous. Also let them know if you have bothersome dry mouth, muscle pain or cramps, or a fast heartbeat. These could be signs of low electrolyte levels. Your care team can check what's going on and recommend ways to manage this side effect.
- Let your healthcare team know if you notice any changes in your hearing while taking torsemide. This can include ringing in your ears or not hearing as well as usual. These could be possible side effects from the medication. Your care team can check it out or refer you to a hearing specialist.
- Talk to your prescriber if you have diabetes. Torsemide might cause your blood sugar levels to go up. Ask your care team if you need to check your blood sugar more often while taking this medication. If so, let them know if your blood sugar stays higher than usual after starting torsemide.
- Tell your prescriber if you have gout or have had gout attacks in the past. Although very rare, torsemide can raise the risk of gout attacks. Keep track of how many gout attacks you have. Let your prescriber know if they start to happen more often while taking this medication.
Common questions about Torsemide
For most people, Torsemide makes your urinate more often within 1 to 2 hours of taking it. You can feel the need to urinate for as long as 6 to 8 hours after taking the medication. Be sure there's a restroom easily available in case you need to use it.
It usually takes around 18 hours for Torsemide to fully leave your system after you take it. This is calculated from the medication's half-life. Keep in mind that the time it takes to get rid of the medication depends on things like your age and the health of your liver and kidneys. Ask your prescriber if you have questions about how long Torsemide might stay in your system.
Yes, Torsemide can lower your blood pressure. Everyone responds to medications differently, so how much it lowers blood pressure for you could be different. Many people feel dizzy and lightheaded during the first few days of taking Torsemide because of the drop in blood pressure. This usually gets better as your body adjusts. Let your prescriber know if the dizziness bothers you or doesn't go away in a few days.
Yes, Torsemide is a type of diuretic or a water pill. More specifically, it belongs to a group of diuretics called loop diuretics. It works to help remove extra water from the body.
Torsemide starts working within an hour to help your body get rid of extra fluid. But it might take longer to notice swelling go down. Watch for changes in your swelling while taking this medication. Follow up with your prescriber about how well Torsemide is working for you.
Yes, Torsemide can lower potassium levels in your body. Make sure to get any lab work done that your prescriber asks you to do. This helps them check that your potassium levels are within a safe range.
Torsemide doesn't directly harm the kidneys. But it can put some people at risk for kidney problems. This is because it can lower blood pressure and potentially cause dehydration. Both of these things can sometimes cause kidney damage. To lower your risk, avoid taking Torsemide with other medications that can harm the kidneys. Your prescriber might order blood tests to check your kidney health during treatment. Talk to your prescriber if you have more concerns about Torsemide and your kidneys.
Torsemide and furosemide (Lasix) are both water pills that treat the same health problems. But you take them in different ways. Torsemide is taken by mouth once a day, whereras furosemide (Lasix) is usually taken once or twice a day. Furosemide (Lasix) also comes as a liquid for people who have trouble swallowing pills. Another difference is that furosemide (Lasix) is for adults and children, but Torsemide is for adults only. Talk to your prescriber to learn more about the differences and decide which is right for you.
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Risks and warnings for Torsemide
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.
Low blood pressure and possible kidney problems
- Risk factors: Low sodium levels | Taking other medications that lower blood pressure | Taking other medications that can cause kidney injury | Drinking alcohol
Torsemide helps your body get rid of extra fluid. But sometimes, this can make your blood pressure drop too low or cause dehydration.
In rare cases, low blood pressure and dehydration can lead to kidney problems. The risk is higher if you have low sodium levels. It's also higher if you take certain medications, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. Be sure to tell your prescriber about all the medications you take before starting torsemide.
Your prescriber will monitor your blood work regularly to check your kidney health. Let them know if you feel lightheaded or dizzy often while taking torsemide. They can change your dose if needed. Also tell them if you notice that you're urinating less than usual or if your urine looks darker. These can be signs of kidney problems.
Change in electrolyte levels and blood sugar levels
Torsemide can cause changes to the electrolyte levels in your body. It can cause low sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride levels. Talk to your care team if you feel weak, tired, or dizzy. Also tell them if you have dry mouth, muscle pain or cramps, nausea, vomiting, or a fast heartbeat. These could be symptoms of an electrolyte imbalance.
Torsemide can also cause higher blood sugar levels and higher uric acid levels. Very rarely, high uric acid levels can lead to gout.
Because of these potential lab changes, your prescriber might order blood tests regularly. This helps them monitor your electrolyte and blood sugar levels.
Hearing problems
- Risk factors: Severe kidney problems | Higher dose of torsemide | Taking other medications that cause hearing problems
Loop diuretics like torsemide can sometimes cause ringing in the ears or hearing loss. This is almost always temporary and gets better after you stop the medication. It's rarely permanent. Your risk is higher if you take higher doses of torsemide or have severe kidney problems.
Talk with your prescriber if you have questions about torsemide and hearing problems. Let them know if you notice changes in your hearing while taking this medication.
Torsemide dosage
Tablet| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10mg | 90 tablets | $17.84 | $0.20 |
| 20mg | 90 tablets | $17.71 | $0.20 |
| 100mg | 30 tablets | $9.00 | $0.30 |
| 5mg | 90 tablets | $16.97 | $0.19 |
Typical dosage for Torsemide
-
Swelling (edema)
- From heart failure: The typical starting dose is 10 mg or 20 mg by mouth once daily. Your prescriber will adjust your dose depending on how well the medication is working for you. The maximum dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily.
- From kidney problems: The typical starting dose is 20 mg by mouth once daily. Your prescriber will adjust your dose based on how well it's working for you. The maximum dose is 200 mg by mouth once daily.
- From liver problems: The typical starting dose is 5 mg or 10 mg by mouth once daily. Your prescriber will adjust your dose depending on how well it's working for you. The maximum dose is 40 mg by mouth once daily.
-
High blood pressure: The typical starting dose is 5 mg by mouth once daily. Your prescriber will adjust your dose within 4 to 6 weeks based on how well the medication is working for you. The maximum dose is 10 mg by mouth once daily.
More on Torsemide dosage
Interactions between Torsemide and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Celecoxib
- Ceritinib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitoxin
- Dipyrone
- Dofetilide
- Droperidol
- Droxicam
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Fluconazole
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Foscarnet
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketanserin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Levomethadyl
- Lithium
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Metolazone
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Pixantrone
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sotalol
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Valdecoxib
- Warfarin
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.
- Alacepril
- Benazepril
- Captopril
- Cilazapril
- Delapril
- Enalapril
- Enalaprilat
- Fosinopril
- Germanium
- Ginseng
- Gossypol
- Imidapril
- Licorice
- Lisinopril
- Moexipril
- Pentopril
- Perindopril
- Quinapril
- Ramipril
- Spirapril
- Temocapril
- Trandolapril
- Zofenopril
How much does Torsemide cost?
$9.00
Torsemide contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Torsemide will not be safe for you to take.
- Allergy to povidone
- Can't urinate (or not making any urine)
- Confusion or loss of brain function due to liver problems (hepatic coma)
What are alternatives to Torsemide?
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