Torsemide Injection (patient information)

About your treatment
Your doctor has ordered torsemide to decrease the amount of fluid in your body. The drug will be either added to an intravenous fluid that will drip through a needle or catheter placed in your vein or may be administered directly into your vein or catheter over at least 2 minutes. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Your health care provider (doctor, nurse, or pharmacist) may measure the effectiveness and side effects of your treatment using laboratory tests and physical examinations. It is important to keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. The length of treatment depends on how you respond to the medication.

Precautions
Before administering torsemide:


 * tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to torsemide, any sulfa drug, or any other drugs.
 * tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially dexamethasone (Decadron), digoxin (Lanoxin), medications for high blood pressure, indomethacin (Indocin), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), prednisone, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
 * tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver problems.
 * tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. Do not breast-feed while taking this medication. If you become pregnant while taking torsemide, call your doctor.

Administering your medication
Before you administer torsemide, look at the solution closely. It should be clear and free of floating material. Gently squeeze the bag or observe the solution container to make sure there are no leaks. Do not use the solution if it is discolored, if it contains particles, or if the bag or container leaks. Use a new solution, but show the damaged one to your health care provider.

It is important that you use your medication exactly as directed. Do not change your dosing schedule without talking to your health care provider. Your health care provider may tell you to stop your infusion if you have a mechanical problem (such as a blockage in the tubing, needle, or catheter); if you have to stop an infusion, call your health care provider immediately so your therapy can continue.

Minor Side Effects
Torsemide may cause side effects. Tell your health care provider if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:


 * frequent urination
 * muscle cramps
 * weakness
 * dizziness
 * faintness
 * fatigue
 * headache
 * confusion
 * thirst
 * upset stomach
 * vomiting

Severe Side Effects
If you experience either of the following symptoms, call your health care provider immediately:


 * rapid, excessive weight loss
 * vomiting blood

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at http://www.fda.gov/MedWatch/report.htm] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].

Storing your medication
Your health care provider may give you a several-day supply of torsemide at a time, and you should store it as directed.

Store your medication only as directed. Make sure you understand what you need to store your medication properly.

Keep your supplies in a clean, dry place when you are not using them, and keep all medications and supplies out of reach of children. Your health care provider will tell you how to throw away used needles, syringes, tubing, and containers to avoid accidental injury.

In case of emergency/overdose
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.

Signs of infection
If you are receiving torsemide in your vein or under your skin, you need to know the symptoms of a catheter-related infection (an infection where the needle enters your vein or skin). If you experience any of these effects near your intravenous catheter, tell your health care provider as soon as possible:


 * tenderness
 * warmth
 * irritation
 * drainage
 * redness
 * swelling
 * pain

Brand names

 * Demadex®