Highlights for torsemide

  1. Torsemide oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and a generic drug. Brand name: Demadex.
  2. Torsemide comes in two forms: an oral tablet and an intravenous (IV) form. The IV form is only given by a healthcare provider.
  3. Torsemide oral tablet is used to treat high blood pressure. It’s also used to treat edema (fluid retention) caused by heart failure or liver or kidney disease.
  • Low blood pressure warning: Torsemide may cause orthostatic hypotension. This is low blood pressure that makes you feel dizzy or lightheaded when you stand up after sitting or lying down. This may be more common after just starting this drug. You can avoid this by standing up slowly.
  • Ear problems warning: Torsemide may cause ringing in the ears and hearing loss. This is usually reversible once you stop taking the drug.
  • Dehydration and electrolyte loss warning: You should watch for symptoms of severe dehydration and electrolyte loss while taking torsemide. These include:
    • dry mouth
    • thirst
    • weakness
    • muscle pain or fatigue
    • nausea
    • vomiting
  • Warning about suddenly stopping this drug: Don’t stop taking torsemide without talking to your doctor. Stopping this drug suddenly can cause your blood pressure to spike. This may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Torsemide is a prescription drug. It comes in two forms: an oral tablet and an intravenous (IV) form. The IV form is only given by a healthcare provider.

Torsemide oral tablet is available as the brand-name drug Demadex and as a generic drug. Generic drugs usually cost less than the brand-name version. In some cases, they may not be available in every strength or form as the brand-name drug.

Torsemide may be taken in combination with other drugs.

Why it’s used

Torsemide oral tablet is used to treat high blood pressure. It’s also used to treat edema (fluid retention) due to conditions such as heart, liver, or kidney disease.

How it works

Torsemide belongs to a class of drugs known as diuretics, or water pills. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions.

Torsemide works by causing your kidney to excrete more water and electrolytes, including sodium chloride. This helps remove excess fluid, relieving edema. It also lowers your blood pressure.

Torsemide oral tablet doesn’t cause drowsiness, but it can cause other side effects.

More common side effects

The more common side effects that can occur with torsemide include:

  • frequent urination
  • headache
  • cough
  • sore throat
  • hearing loss
  • ringing in your ears
  • upset stomach
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • weakness
  • excessive thirst

If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious side effects

Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:

  • Dehydration. Symptoms include:
    • drowsiness
    • confusion
    • muscle weakness
    • fast heart rate
  • Fast, unexplained weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Trouble breathing or swallowing
  • Blisters or peeling skin
  • Hives, skin rash, or itching
  • Vomiting blood

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always discuss possible side effects with a healthcare provider who knows your medical history.

Torsemide oral tablet can interact with other medications, vitamins, or herbs you may be taking. An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well.

To help avoid interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, or herbs you’re taking. To find out how this drug might interact with something else you’re taking, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Examples of drugs that can cause interactions with torsemide are listed below.

Salicylates

Taking torsemide with high doses of drugs called salicylates can cause the levels of the salicylate in your blood to become dangerously high. Your doctor will let you know if you can take these drugs together. Examples of salicylates include:

  • aspirin

Cholestyramine

Cholestyramine may stop your body from absorbing the right amount of torsemide. If you’re taking cholestyramine, you should take it 4 hours before you take torsemide, or 1 hour after you take it.

Probenecid

Torsemide may not work as well if you’re also taking probenecid.

Lithium

If you’re taking lithium while taking torsemide, you may be at greater risk for lithium toxicity.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

This drug comes with several warnings.

Allergy warning

Torsemide can cause a severe allergic reaction. Symptoms include:

  • trouble breathing
  • swelling of your throat or tongue
  • hives

If you develop these symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it or povidone. Taking it again could be fatal (cause death).

Alcohol interaction warning

The use of drinks that contain alcohol can increase your risk of low blood pressure and dizziness from torsemide. If you drink alcohol, talk to your doctor.

Warnings for people with certain health conditions

For people with liver disease: Torsemide may cause fluid and electrolyte problems and possibly hepatic coma. If you have liver problems, talk to your doctor about whether this drug is safe for you.

For people with hepatic coma: This drug should not be used in people with a coma caused by hepatic encephalopathy. It could make the condition worse.

For people with gout: Torsemide may cause you to have gouty episodes. Let your doctor know if you have gout.

For people with heart disease: This drug can lower your potassium levels. If this happens, you may have a higher risk of developing an abnormal heart rhythm. Your risk may be higher if you’re also taking digoxin or corticosteroids, or if you have liver cirrhosis. Your doctor should monitor you for low potassium levels.

For people with diabetes: Torsemide can increase blood sugar levels. This can worsen your diabetes control.

Warnings for other groups

For pregnant women: Torsemide is a pregnancy category B drug. That means two things:

  1. Studies of the drug in pregnant animals have not shown risk to the fetus.
  2. There aren’t enough studies done in pregnant women to show the drug poses a risk to the fetus.

Talk to your doctor if you’re pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Torsemide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk.

For women who are breastfeeding: It isn’t known if torsemide passes into breast milk. If it does, it may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.

Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.

For seniors: Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule.

For children: This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.

All possible dosages and forms may not be included here. Your doctor will tell you what dosage is right for you. Your dose, form, and how often you take it will depend on:

  • your age
  • the condition being treated
  • how severe your condition is
  • other medical conditions you have
  • how you react to the first dose

Drug forms and strengths

Generic: Torsemide

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 100 mg

Brand: Demadex

  • Form: oral tablet
  • Strengths: 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, 100 mg

Dosage for edema (fluid retention)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • For edema caused by congestive heart failure:
    • Typical starting dosage: 10 or 20 mg taken once per day.
    • Dosage increases: Your doctor may double your dosage until your fluid retention is controlled.
    • Maximum dosage: 200 mg per day.
  • For edema caused by kidney failure:
    • Typical starting dosage: 20 mg taken once per day.
    • Dosage increases: Your doctor may double your dosage until your fluid retention is controlled.
    • Maximum dosage: 200 mg per day.
  • For edema caused by liver disease:
    • Typical starting dosage: 5 or 10 mg taken once per day. You’ll take this drug with an aldosterone antagonist or a potassium-sparing diuretic.
    • Dosage increases: Your doctor may double your dosage until your fluid retention is controlled.
    • Maximum dosage: 40 mg per day.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

There are no specific recommendations for senior dosing. Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule.

Dosage for high blood pressure (hypertension)

Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)

  • Typical starting dosage: 5 mg taken once per day.
  • Dosage increases: If needed, your doctor may increase your dosage to 10 mg after 4–6 weeks.

Child dosage (ages 0–17 years)

This drug hasn’t been studied in children. It shouldn’t be used in children younger than 18 years.

Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)

There are no specific recommendations for senior dosing. Older adults may process drugs more slowly. A normal adult dosage may cause levels of this drug to be higher than normal in your body. If you’re a senior, you may need a lower dosage or a different dosing schedule.

Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.

Torsemide oral tablet is used for short-term or long-term treatment for fluid retention. It’s used for long-term treatment for lowering blood pressure.

This drug comes with serious risks if you don’t take it as prescribed.

If you don’t take it at all: If you’re taking this drug for edema, your heart will work harder and you may have more trouble breathing due to fluid buildup.

If you’re taking this drug for high blood pressure, your blood pressure will stay high. This will raise your risk of having a stroke or heart attack.

If you stop taking it suddenly: Don’t stop taking torsemide without talking to your doctor. Stopping this drug suddenly can cause your blood pressure to spike. This may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you have heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease, you may also have fluid buildup if you stop taking torsemide suddenly.

If you don’t take it on schedule: Your blood pressure may not improve or may get worse. You may have a higher risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you have heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease, you may experience fluid buildup.

What to do if you miss a dose: If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s just a few hours before the time for your next dose, then wait and only take one dose at that time.

Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could cause dangerous side effects.

If you take too much: You may experience dehydration and a change in the amount of electrolytes in your blood. This can be dangerous. You may have the following symptoms:

  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • heart rate or rhythm problems (arrhythmia)

If you think you’ve taken too much of this drug, call your doctor or local poison control center. If your symptoms are severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

How to tell this drug is working: If you’re taking this drug for edema, you should have less swelling or fluid retention. If you’re taking this drug for high blood pressure, you won’t be able to feel torsemide working, but your blood pressure should be lower.

Keep these considerations in mind if your doctor prescribes torsemide for you.

General

  • You can take torsemide with or without food.
  • Take torsemide at the same time each day.
  • You can crush or cut the tablet.

Storage

  • Store torsemide at room temperature between 59°F (15°C) and 86°F (30°C).
  • Don’t freeze torsemide.
  • Keep this drug away from light.
  • Don’t store this medication in moist or damp areas, such as bathrooms.

Refills

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription.

Travel

When traveling with your medication:

  • Always carry your medication with you. When flying, never put it into a checked bag. Keep it in your carry-on bag.
  • Don’t worry about airport X-ray machines. They can’t harm your medication.
  • You may need to show airport staff the pharmacy label for your medication. Always carry the original prescription-labeled container with you.
  • Don’t put this medication in your car’s glove compartment or leave it in the car. Be sure to avoid doing this when the weather is very hot or very cold.

Self-management

You may need to check your blood pressure at home. You should keep a log with the date, time of day, and your blood pressure readings. Bring this diary with you to your doctor appointments.

To check your blood pressure at home, you’ll need to purchase a home blood pressure monitor.

Clinical monitoring

While being treated with torsemide, your doctor will check your:

  • blood pressure
  • electrolyte levels
  • liver function

Your diet

During your treatment with torsemide, your doctor may have you follow a specific diet, such as a low-salt or high-potassium diet. Foods high in potassium include prunes, bananas, and orange juice. Your doctor can tell you how much sodium and potassium you should consume.

Availability

Not every pharmacy stocks this drug. When filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it.

Hidden costs

You may need to purchase a blood pressure monitor to check your blood pressure at home. These are available at most pharmacies.

There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be better suited for you than others. Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.