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What is
Torasemide? |
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Torasemide
(rINN) or torsemide (USAN) is a
pyridine-sulfonylurea type loop diuretic mainly
used in the management of
edema
associated with congestive heart
failure. It is also used at low doses for the
management of
essential
hypertension; hepatic, pulmonary or renal edema.
Compared to other loop
diuretics, torasemide has a more prolonged
diuretic effect than equipotent doses of
furosemide and relatively decreased
potassium-loss. There is no evidence of
torasemide-induced ototoxicity demonstrated in
humans |
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How does
Torasemide work? |
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Torasemide
removes fluid from the body by increasing the
amount of urine which is produced. Torasemide
also reduces blood pressure. |
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Who should not use Torasemide? |
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You should not
use Torasemide if you:
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are allergic or sensitive to
or have had a reaction to any of the
ingredients in the medicine |
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are allergic to
sulphonylureas |
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are breast-feeding |
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are elderly |
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are not passing any urine |
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are on a low salt or
potassium diet |
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are pregnant |
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are vomiting |
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have certain heart problems |
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have decreased glucose
tolerance |
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have diabetes |
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have diarrhea |
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have gout |
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have hypovolaemia |
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have kidney problems |
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have liver problems |
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have metabolic problems |
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have urinary problems |
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How should I use Torasemide? |
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Torsemide comes as a tablet to
take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day in
the morning. Follow the directions on your
prescription label carefully, and ask your
doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do
not understand. Take torsemide exactly as
directed. Do not take more or less of it or take
it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Torsemide controls high blood
pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take
torsemide even if you feel well. Do not stop
taking torsemide without talking to your doctor. |
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What happens if I miss a
Torasemide dose?
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Take
the missed dose as soon as you remember it.
However, if it is almost time for your next
dose, skip the missed dose and continue your
regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double
dose to make up for a missed one. |
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What happens if I overdose?
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No typical
picture of intoxication is known. If overdose
occurs, then there may be marked diuresis with
the danger of loss of fluid and electrolytes
which may lead to somnolence and confusion,
hypotension, circulatory collapse.
Gastrointestinal disturbances may occur.
No specific
antidote is known. Symptoms and signs of
overdose require the reduction of the dose or
withdrawal of torasemide, and simultaneous
replacement of fluid and electrolytes.
In
case of overdose, call your local poison control
center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has
collapsed or is not breathing, call local
emergency services at 911. |
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What should I avoid while using Torasemide? |
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Follow your doctor's directions. They may
include a daily exercise program and a
low-sodium or low-salt diet, potassium
supplements, and increased amounts of
potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes,
raisins, and orange juice) in your diet.
Hypokalaemia,
hyponatraemia, hypovolaemia and disorders of
micturition must be corrected before treatment.
On long-term
treatment with torasemide, regular monitoring of
the electrolyte balance, glucose, uric acid,
creatinine and lipids in the blood, is
recommended.
Careful
monitoring of patients with a tendency to
hyperuricaemia and gout is recommended.
Carbohydrate metabolism in latent or manifest
diabetes mellitus should be monitored.
As for other
drugs which produce changes in blood pressure,
patients taking torasemide should be warned not
to drive or operate machinery if they experience
dizziness or related symptoms.
Patients with
rare hereditary problems of glucose intolerance,
the Lapp lactase deficiency of glucose-galactose
malabsorption should not take this medication. |
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What are the possible side effects of Torasemide? |
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Frequent urination may last for
up to 6 hours after a dose and should decrease
after you take torsemide for a few weeks. Tell
your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe
or do not go away:
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abnormal laboratory test
results |
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allergic reactions such as
itching, rash or photosensitivity skin
reactions |
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blood problems |
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circulation problems |
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dry mouth |
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ear or hearing problems |
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excessive loss of water and
salt from the body - this may cause
headaches, dizziness, lowered blood
pressure, weakness, drowsiness, confusion,
loss of appetite or cramps |
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eye or eyesight problems |
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gastrointestinal problems |
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increased blood sugar levels |
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increased levels of lipids in
the blood |
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metabolic problems or
worsening of metabolic problems |
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pancreatitis |
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paraesthesiae of the limbs |
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thromboembolism |
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tinnitus |
If
you have either of the following symptoms, call
your doctor immediately:
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rapid, excessive weight loss
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vomiting blood
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What other drugs will affect Torasemide? |
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The following
medicines may interact with Torasemide:
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adrenaline |
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cisplatin |
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indometacin |
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lithium |
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noradrenaline |
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probenecid |
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theophylline |
The following
types of medicine may interact with Torasemide:
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ACE inhibitors |
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aminoglycosides |
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antidiabetics |
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antihypertensives |
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cardiac glycosides |
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cephalosporins |
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corticosteroids |
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curare-type muscle relaxants |
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laxatives |
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medicines that are damaging
to the kidney |
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non-steroidal anti-inflammatories |
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salicylates |
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vasopressors |
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Where can I get more information? |
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If
you have questions about the medicine you are
taking or would like more information, check
with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health
care provider. |
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Torasemide
Storage |
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No special
precautions for storage. |
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Nursing Mothers use of Torasemide |
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In the case of
Torasemide:
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women who are breast-feeding
must not take this medicine |
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Pregnancy
and use of Torasemide |
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In the case of
Torasemide:
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do not take this medicine
during pregnancy |
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if you become pregnant, or
think you have become pregnant while taking
Torasemide, you must contact your prescriber |
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