Torsemide (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").

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• 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.

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®).

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• 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 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
• 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, 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