Torsemide (TORE-se-mide)

Treats fluid retention (edema) caused by heart failure, kidney disease, or liver disease. Also treats high blood pressure. This medicine is a diuretic (water pill).

Brand Name(s):

Soaanz

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. You may need to eat foods that are high in potassium (including oranges or bananas) to prevent potassium loss while you are using this medicine.
• Missed food: 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.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how torsemide works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Amiodarone, cisplatin, digoxin, ethacrynic acid, fluconazole, lithium, miconazole, oxandrolone, phenytoin, probenecid, rifampin, warfarin
  • Aminoglycoside antibiotic (including amikacin, gentamicin, streptomycin)
  • Blood pressure medicine (including ACE inhibitors, ARBs)
  • NSAIDs (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen)
  .
• If you are taking cholestyramine, take it at least 1 hour after or 4 to 6 hours before taking torsemide.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, dehydration, diabetes, gout, heart disease, hearing problems, or had an allergic reaction to any sulfa drugs. Tell your doctor if you are on a low-salt diet.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Changes in blood sugar levels
  • Ear or hearing problems
• This medicine could lower your blood pressure too much and cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. This is more likely to happen when you first use the medicine or if you become dehydrated.
• Drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting while you are using this medicine.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully.
• 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.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Chest pain, fast or uneven heartbeat
• Confusion, weakness, muscle twitching
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, problems urinating, nausea, or vomiting
• Hearing loss, ringing in your ears
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
• Unusual bleeding or bruising

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