Torsemide injection

What is this medicine?

TORSEMIDE (TORE se mide) is a diuretic. It helps you make more urine and to lose salt and excess water from your body. This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure, and edema or swelling from heart, kidney, or liver disease.

How should I use this medicine?

This medicine is for injection into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions such as skin rash or itching, hives, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat

• blood in urine or stools

• dry mouth

• fever or chills

• hearing loss or ringing in the ears

• irregular heartbeat

• muscle pain, weakness or cramps

• unusually weak or tired

• vomiting or diarrhea

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizzy or lightheaded

• headache

• increased thirst

• sexual difficulties

• stomach pain, upset or nausea

What may interact with this medicine?

• alcohol

• certain antibiotics given by injection

certain heart medicines like digoxin

• diuretics

• lithium

• medicines for diabetes

• medicines for blood pressure

• medicines for cholesterol like cholestyramine

• medicines that relax muscles for surgery

• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

• OTC supplements like ginseng and ephedra

• probenecid

• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medicine?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• diabetes

• gout

• heart disease

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• small amount of urine, or difficulty passing urine

• an unusual or allergic reaction to torsemide, sulfa drugs, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may need to be a on special diet while you are taking this medicine. Ask your doctor. Also, ask how many glasses of fluids you need to drink each day. You must not get dehydrated.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.