• Edema due to:
  • HF,
  • Hepatic or renal disease.
• Hypertension.

Contraindicated in:

• Hypersensitivity
• Cross-sensitivity with thiazide diuretics and sulfonamides may occur
• Hepatic coma
• Anuria.

Use Cautiously in:

• Severe hepatic impairment (may precipitate hepatic coma; concurrent use with potassium-sparing diuretics may be necessary)
• Electrolyte depletion
• Severe renal impairment and hypoproteinemia (↑ risk of ototoxicity)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Increasing azotemia
• OB: Safety not established in pregnancy
• Lactation: Safety not established in breastfeeding
• Pedi: Safety and effectiveness not established in children
• Geri: Older adults may have ↑ risk of side effects, especially hypotension and electrolyte imbalance, at usual doses.

CV: hypotension.

Derm: photosensitivity, rash, STEVENS-JOHNSON SYNDROME (SJS), TOXIC EPIDERMAL NECROLYSIS (TEN).

EENT: hearing loss, tinnitus.

Endo: hyperglycemia.

F and E: dehydration, hypochloremia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, hyponatremia, hypovolemia, metabolic alkalosis, hypocalcemia.

GI: constipation, diarrhea, dry mouth, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting.

GU: acute renal failure, excessive urination, renal impairment.

Metab: hyperuricemia.

MS: arthralgia, muscle cramps, myalgia.

Neuro: dizziness, headache, nervousness.

Drug-Drug:

• ↑hypotension with antihypertensives, nitrates, or acute ingestion of alcohol.
• ↑risk of hypokalemia with other diuretics, amphotericin B, stimulant laxatives, and corticosteroids.
• Hypokalemia may ↑ risk of digoxin toxicity and ↑ risk of arrhythmia in patients taking drugs that prolong the QT interval.
• CYP2C9 inhibitors, including amiodarone, fluconazole, and miconazole, may ↑ levels and the risk of toxicity.
• CYP2C9 inducers, including rifampin, may ↓ levels and effectiveness.
• May ↑ levels and the risk of toxicity of CYP2C9 substrates, including celecoxib, phenytoin, or warfarin.
• ↑risk of nephrotoxicity with other nephrotoxic drugs, including aminoglycosides, cisplatin, NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and radiocontrast agents.
• May ↑ the risk of lithium toxicity.
• ↑risk of ototoxicity with aminoglycosides.
• NSAIDs may ↓ effectiveness.
• May ↑ the risk of salicylate toxicity (with use of high-dose salicylate therapy).
• Cholestyramine may ↓ absorption.

(Generic available)

• Tablets: 5 mg; 10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 60 mg; 100 mg;

Heart Failure

• PO (Adults): Generic or Soaanz: 20 mg once daily; dose may be doubled until desired effect is obtained (max = 200 mg/day).

Chronic Renal Failure

• PO (Adults): Generic or Soaanz: 20 mg once daily; dose may be doubled until desired effect is obtained (max = 200 mg/day).

Hepatic Cirrhosis

• PO (Adults): Generic only: 5–10 mg once daily (with aldosterone antagonist or potassium-sparing diuretic); dose may be doubled until desired effect is obtained (max = 40 mg/day).

Hypertension

• PO (Adults): Generic only: 2.5–5 mg once daily, may be ↑ to 10 mg once daily after 4–6 wk (if still not effective, add another agent).

Demadex, Soaanz

• Inhibits the reabsorption of sodium and chloride from the loop of Henle and distal renal tubule.
• Increases renal excretion of water, sodium, chloride, magnesium, hydrogen, and calcium.
• Effectiveness persists in impaired renal function.

• Diuresis and subsequent mobilization of excess fluid (edema, pleural effusions).
• Decreased BP.

Therapeutic Classification: antihypertensives

Pharmacologic Classification: loop diuretics

Absorption: 80% absorbed after oral administration.

Distribution: Widely distributed to tissues.

Protein Binding: 99%.

Metabolism/Excretion: Primarily metabolized by the liver via the CYP2C9 isoenzyme, with minor metabolism via the CYP2C8 and CYP2C18 isoenzymes. 80% metabolized by liver, 20% excreted in urine.

Half-life: 3.5 hr.

(diuretic effect)

• Instruct patient to take torsemide as directed. Take missed doses as soon as possible; do not double doses.
  • Caution patient to change positions slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension. Caution patient that the use of alcohol, exercise during hot weather, or standing for long periods during therapy may enhance orthostatic hypotension.
  • Instruct patient to consult health care professional regarding a diet high in potassium (see Appendix M).
  • Advise patient to contact health care professional if they gain more than 2–3 lb/day.
  • Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken and to consult health care professional before taking any OTC medications concurrently with this therapy.
  • Instruct patient to notify health care professional of medication regimen prior to treatment or surgery.
  • Caution patient to use sunscreen and protective clothing to prevent photosensitivity reactions.
  • Advise patient to contact health care professional immediately if rash muscle weakness, cramps, nausea, dizziness, numbness, or tingling of extremities occurs.
  • Advise diabetic patients to monitor blood glucose closely; may cause increased blood glucose levels.
  • Advise females of reproductive potential to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected or if breastfeeding.
  • Emphasize the importance of routine follow-up examinations.
• Hypertension: Advise patients on antihypertensive regimen to continue taking medication even if feeling better. Torsemide controls but does not cure hypertension.
  • Reinforce the need to continue additional therapies for hypertension (weight loss, exercise, restricted sodium intake, stress reduction, regular exercise, moderation of alcohol consumption, cessation of smoking).

TORE-se-mide