Torsemide or torasemide is a drug used to treat fluid buildup (edema) due to heart failure or cirrhosis. This drug is also used to lower blood pressure in hypertension.
Torsemide belongs to the class of loop diuretics. This drug works by inhibiting the reabsorption of sodium and chloride in the kidneys. That way, more fluid and sodium can be excreted through the urine. This drug should not be used carelessly and must be in accordance with a doctor's prescription.
Trademarktorasemide: -
What is Torsemide
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Loop diuretic |
| Benefit | Treating edema and lowering blood pressure in hypertension |
| Used by | Mature |
| Torasemide for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether torasemide is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine before consulting your doctor. |
| Drug form | Tablets and injections |
Precautions Before Using Torsemide
Follow the doctor's recommendations and advice while undergoing treatment with torasemide. Before using this drug, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Torsemide should not be used in patients allergic to this drug or to sulfa drugs.
- Tell your doctor if you experience an inability to urinate due to a blockage in the urinary tract. Torsemide should not be used by patients with these conditions.
- Tell your doctor if you have or are currently suffering from diabetes, gout, liver disease, heart disease, electrolyte disturbances, or kidney disease.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking torasemide if you plan to have an X-Ray or CT scan with a contrast injection.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medications, supplements, or herbal products.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking torasemide if you plan to have surgery, including dental surgery.
- Do not drive a vehicle or do activities that require alertness while you are taking torasemide, as this medicine can cause dizziness.
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction, overdose, or serious side effects after using torasemide.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Torasemide
The dose of torasemide given by the doctor can be different, depending on the form of the drug and the patient's condition. The following are common doses of torasemide:
Drug form: Tablet
Condition: Edema
- Adults: 5 mg, once daily. The dose can be increased to 20 mg, once a day. The maximum dose is 40 mg per day.
Condition: Edema due to cirrhosis
- Adult: 5–10 mg once daily concomitantly with potassium-sparing diuretics or aldosterone antagonists. The maximum dose is 40 mg per day.
Condition: Hypertension
- Adults: 2.5–5 mg, once daily.
Drug form: Inject
Condition: Edema
- Adults: 10–20 mg per day. The dose is given by injection into a vein (intravenous / IV) for more than 2 minutes. The maximum dose is 200 mg per day.
How to Use Torsemide Correctly
Torasemide in the form of an injection will be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor. Always follow the doctor's advice while undergoing treatment with this medicine.
Follow the doctor's advice and read the instructions on the medicine package before taking torasemide in tablet form. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor.
Torsemide tablets can be taken before or after meals. Take torasemide regularly at the same time every day for maximum treatment effect. Do not stop taking the drug, except on doctor's instructions.
Torsemide can cause you to urinate more frequently. So, you should take this drug in the morning or 4 hours before bedtime.
If you forget to take torasemide, take the drug immediately if the break with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
One of the side effects that can occur after using torasemide is dizziness. Therefore, do not rush to stand up if you are taking torasemide in a sitting position.
So that blood pressure can be better controlled, in addition to taking blood pressure-lowering drugs, you are recommended to adopt a healthy lifestyle. For example, by limiting salt and fat consumption, exercising regularly, and maintaining an ideal body weight.
You will need to have more frequent blood tests while on treatment with torasemide. You also need to check with the doctor regularly so that the development of the condition and the effectiveness of the drug can always be monitored.
Store torasemide tablets in a closed container in a cool, dry place. Keep this medicine away from direct sunlight and keep this medicine out of reach of children.
Torasemide Interactions with Other Drugs
Some drug interactions that can occur if torasemide is used with certain drugs are:
- Decreased therapeutic effect of torasemide when used with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Increased risk of hypotension when used with antihypertensive drugs
- Increased risk of severe hypokalemia with amphotericin B, carbenoxolone, or corticosteroids
- Increased risk of lithium or salicylate drug poisoning
- Increased risk of ear and kidney damage if used with aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin
Torasemide Side Effects and Dangers
Side effects that can occur after using torasemide are:
- Cough
- Dizziness or headache
- Sore throat
- Increased frequency of urination
- Constipation or diarrhea
Check with your doctor if the side effects above do not improve or get worse. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction to a drug or experience serious side effects, such as:
- Dizziness so heavy that you feel like passing out
- Hearing loss, which can be characterized by symptoms such as ringing in the ears (tinnitus), decreased ability to hear, to sudden deafness
- Dehydration or electrolyte disturbances, which may include muscle cramps, unusual weakness or tiredness, severe dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, fast heart rate, or fainting
- Impaired kidney function, which can be characterized by symptoms such as infrequent urination or very small amounts of urine
