Portal login

Torsemide (Intravenous route)

Pronunciation:

TORE-se-mide

Brand Names:

  • Demadex

Classifications:

Pharmacologic—

Diuretic, Loop

Uses of This Medicine:

Torsemide belongs to the group of medicines called loop diuretics. Torsemide is given to help reduce the amount of water in the body associated with congestive heart failure, liver disease (cirrhosis), or kidney disease. It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine .

Torsemide is also used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the work load of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription .

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of torsemide injection in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established .

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatrics-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of torsemide injection in the elderly .

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

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 receiving 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.

  • Desmopressin

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
  • Albuterol
  • Amtolmetin Guacil
  • Arsenic Trioxide
  • Aspirin
  • Bromfenac
  • Bufexamac
  • Buprenorphine
  • Capecitabine
  • Carbamazepine
  • Celecoxib
  • Ceritinib
  • Choline Salicylate
  • Clonixin
  • Codeine
  • Dexibuprofen
  • Dexketoprofen
  • Diclofenac
  • Diflunisal
  • Digitoxin
  • Dipyrone
  • Dofetilide
  • Droperidol
  • Droxicam
  • Etodolac
  • Etofenamate
  • Etoricoxib
  • Felbinac
  • Fenoprofen
  • Fepradinol
  • Feprazone
  • Floctafenine
  • Fluconazole
  • Flufenamic Acid
  • Flurbiprofen
  • Formoterol
  • Foscarnet
  • Ibuprofen
  • Indomethacin
  • Ketanserin
  • Ketoprofen
  • Ketorolac
  • Levomethadyl
  • Lithium
  • Lornoxicam
  • Loxoprofen
  • Lumiracoxib
  • Mavacamten
  • Meclofenamate
  • Mefenamic Acid
  • Meloxicam
  • Methotrexate
  • Metolazone
  • Morniflumate
  • Nabumetone
  • Naproxen
  • Nepafenac
  • Niflumic Acid
  • Nimesulide
  • Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
  • Oliceridine
  • Oxaprozin
  • Oxyphenbutazone
  • Parecoxib
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenylbutazone
  • Piketoprofen
  • Piroxicam
  • Pixantrone
  • Primidone
  • Proglumetacin
  • Propyphenazone
  • Proquazone
  • Rofecoxib
  • Salicylic Acid
  • Salsalate
  • Sodium Salicylate
  • Sotalol
  • Sparsentan
  • Sufentanil
  • Sulindac
  • Tapentadol
  • Tenoxicam
  • Tiaprofenic Acid
  • Tolfenamic Acid
  • Tolmetin
  • Tramadol
  • Valdecoxib
  • Vonoprazan
  • 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.

  • Benazepril
  • Captopril
  • Cilazapril
  • Enalapril
  • Enalaprilat
  • Fosinopril
  • Germanium
  • Ginseng
  • Gossypol
  • Licorice
  • Lisinopril
  • Moexipril
  • Perindopril
  • Quinapril
  • Ramipril
  • Spirapril
  • Trandolapril
  • Zofenopril

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

  • Anuria (not able to form urine)—Should not use in patients with this condition
  • Diabetes—This medicine may increase the amount of sugar in the blood .
  • Electrolyte imbalance (e.g., low amount of potassium in the blood) or
  • Gout or
  • Hearing problems or
  • Hypovolemia (low blood volume)—Use with caution. This medicine may worsen these conditions .
  • Heart disease—May increase risk of having heart rhythm problems .
  • Hyperlipidemia—This medicine may increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood .
  • Kidney disease, severe or
  • Liver disease—Higher blood levels of torsemide may occur, which may increase the chance of side effects .

Proper Use of This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed into one of your veins .

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to another medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor .

Side Effects of This Medicine:

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common
Bloating or swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
chest pain
rapid weight gain
tingling of hands or feet
unusual weight gain or loss

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose
Blurred vision
coma
confusion
convulsions
decreased urination
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
drowsiness
dry mouth
fast or irregular heartbeat
headache
increase in heart rate
increased thirst
irritability
loss of appetite
mood changes
muscle pain or cramps
nausea or vomiting
numbness in hands, feet, or lips
rapid breathing
shortness of breath
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
Increased urination
Less common
Acid or sour stomach
belching
diarrhea
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
difficulty in moving
heartburn
increased cough
indigestion
lack or loss of strength
muscle aching
muscle stiffness
nervousness
pain in joints
runny nose
sneezing
sore throat
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
stuffy nose
swollen joints

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.


Last Updated: 4/24/2024

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

All rights reserved.


The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.
All rights reserved.

A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.