Torsemed

Patient Information Leaflet

Warning! Keep this leaflet! Information on the immediate packaging is in a foreign language.
Torsemed (Torasemid HEXAL)
20 mg, tablets
Torasemidum
Torsemed and Torasemid HEXAL are different trade names for the same medicine.
Please read this leaflet carefully before using the medicine, as it contains
important information for the patient.

• Keep this leaflet to be able to read it again if necessary.
• If you have any further questions, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for a specific individual. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm someone else, even if their symptoms are the same.
• If you experience any adverse reactions, including any adverse reactions not listed in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist. See section 4.

Table of contents:

1. What Torsemed is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before taking Torsemed
3. How to take Torsemed
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Torsemed
6. Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Torsemed is and what it is used for

Torsemed is used in the treatment of:

• oedema (swelling) caused by excessive fluid accumulation in the body.

Torsemed is a diuretic medicine, i.e. a medicine that increases urine output.

2. Important information before using Torsemed

When not to use Torsemed:

• in case of hypersensitivity to:
  • torasemide or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
  • similar medicines called "sulfonamide derivatives", used in the treatment of high blood sugar, containing active substances with names ending in "-mid"
• in case of renal failure associated with insufficient urine production
• in case of severe liver dysfunction associated with loss of consciousness
• in case of low arterial blood pressure
• in case of reduced circulating blood volume
• during breastfeeding
• in case of low levels of potassium or sodium in the blood
• in case of severe urinary tract disorders, e.g. due to enlarged prostate
• in case of gout
• in case of irregular heart rhythm
• in case of concomitant use of medicines used to treat infections, such as cefixime, cefuroxime, cefaclor, cephalexin, cefadroxil, cefpodoxime proxetil, kanamycin, neomycin, gentamicin, amikacin or tobramycin
• in case of drug-induced kidney dysfunction caused by medicines that damage the kidneys.

Warnings and precautions
If any of the conditions listed above apply to the patient, discuss them with a doctor before starting treatment with Torsemed:

• acid-base balance disorders
• blood count abnormalities
• diabetes
• use of lithium, a medicine used in the treatment of depression.

If the patient is continuously taking Torsemed, the treating physician will regularly order blood tests, especially if the patient is also taking other medicines, has diabetes, or has irregular heart rhythm.
Children and adolescents
Torsemed is not recommended for use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age.
Torsemed and other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about all medicines the patient is currently taking or has recently taken, as well as any medicines the patient plans to use.
The following medicines may affect the action of Torsemed and vice versa:

• medicines used to treat high blood pressure, particularly those containing active substances with names ending in “-pril”
• medicines that enhance the heart's ability to pump blood, such as digitoxin, digoxin, or methyldigoxin
• medicines used to treat diabetes
• probenecid (a medicine used to treat gout)
• medicines used to treat inflammation and pain, such as acetylsalicylic acid or indomethacin
• sulfasalazine, mesalazine, or olsalazine (medicines used to treat chronic inflammatory bowel diseases)
• medicines used to treat infections, such as cefixime, cefuroxime, cefaclor, cephalexin, cefadroxil, cefpodoxime proxetil, kanamycin, neomycin, gentamicin, amikacin or tobramycin
• platinum compounds, such as cisplatin (a medicine used to treat cancer)
• lithium (a medicine used to treat depression)
• theophylline (a medicine used to treat asthma)
• certain muscle relaxants with names ending in “-curonium” or “-curium”
• all medicines used to treat constipation
• medicines containing cortisone derivatives, such as hydrocortisone, prednisone or prednisolone
• cholestyramine (a medicine used to reduce blood lipid levels)
• adrenaline or noradrenaline (medicines used to increase blood pressure or accelerate heart rate)
• warfarin, a medicine used to treat blood clots.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding
If the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, suspects she may be pregnant, or is planning a pregnancy, she should consult a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine.

• Pregnancy Torsemed may be used during pregnancy only if the treating physician considers it absolutely necessary. In such cases, the lowest possible dose should be used.
• Breastfeeding

Torsemed must not be used in breastfeeding women, as it may harm the infant.
Driving and operating machinery
Dizziness or drowsiness may occur during treatment with Torsemed, especially at the beginning of treatment, when increasing the dose, switching medicines, starting an additional medicine, or consuming alcohol concurrently. If concentration is impaired, driving vehicles or operating machinery should not be undertaken.
Torsemed contains monohydrate lactose
This medicine contains the sugar monohydrate lactose. If the patient has previously been diagnosed with intolerance to certain sugars, the patient should consult a doctor before taking this medicine.

3. How to use Torsemed

This medicine should always be used as directed by the physician. If in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Recommended dose:
Treatment of oedema caused by excess body water

• ¼ tablet (5 mg) once daily. If necessary, the doctor may gradually increase the dose up to 1 tablet (20 mg) once daily.

Tablet division
The tablet can be divided into equal doses.

Place the tablet on a hard, flat surface with the dividing line facing upwards. Press with your finger in the centre of the tablet and divide it into four equal parts.
Use in children and adolescents
Due to insufficient experience with the use of torasemide in children and adolescents, the use of Torsemed is not recommended in patients under 18 years of age.
Liver function disorders (except in cases of significant severity)
Treatment requires caution due to the possibility of increased blood concentration of torasemide.
Method of administration
The tablets should be taken once daily in the morning, regardless of meals, without chewing, with 100 ml of water (about half a glass).
Duration of treatment
The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor. Torsemed may be used continuously for several years or until oedema (excess fluid in tissues) resolves.
Taking more than the recommended dose of Torsemed
Contact your doctor immediately.
Overdose may cause excessive urination, drowsiness, confusion, weakness, dizziness, hypotension, circulatory collapse, and gastrointestinal disturbances.
Bring any remaining tablets and the medicine packaging to facilitate identification of the ingested drug.
Missed dose of Torsemed
Take the missed dose as soon as possible on the same day, or take the next dose at the usual time the following day. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
Stopping treatment with Torsemed
Do not discontinue treatment without consulting your doctor, as this may cause harmful effects to the patient and reduce treatment efficacy.
If you have any further questions regarding the use of this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

4. Possible adverse effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause adverse effects, although not everybody gets them.
Adverse effects may occur with the following frequency:
Common (may occur in less than 1 in 10 people)

• disturbances in body water and mineral levels, especially with restricted salt intake
• increased alkalinity in the body
• muscle cramps
• increased levels of uric acid, glucose and fats in the blood
• decreased potassium and sodium levels in the blood
• reduced blood volume
• stomach and (or) intestinal disturbances such as loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation
• increased activity of certain liver enzymes, such as gamma-GT
• headache
• dizziness
• feeling tired
• weakness.

Uncommon (may occur in less than 1 in 100 people)

• increased levels of urea and creatinine in the blood
• dryness of the mouth
• tingling or numbness of hands and feet
• difficulty in passing urine (e.g. due to benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Very rare (may occur in less than 1 in 10,000 people)

• narrowing of blood vessels due to blood thickening
• lower than normal blood pressure
• circulatory disturbances, especially upon standing
• irregular heart function
• angina pectoris – a condition in which severe chest pain frequently occurs
• myocardial infarction
• fainting
• pancreatitis
• allergic reactions with itching and rash
• increased sensitivity of the skin to light
• severe skin reactions
• decreased number of red and white blood cells and platelets
• visual disturbances
• ringing or noise in the ears
• hearing loss.

Frequency not known: frequency cannot be estimated from the available data

• insufficient blood supply to the brain
• disorientation (confusion).

Reporting of adverse effects
If any adverse effects occur, including any adverse effects not listed in the leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist. Adverse effects can be reported directly to the Department of Monitoring Adverse Drug Reactions of the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products, Al. Jerozolimskie 181C, 02-222 Warsaw, phone: +48 22 49 21 301, fax: +48 22 49 21 309, website: https://smz.ezdrowie.gov.pl.
Reporting adverse effects helps to provide more information on the safety of the medicine.

5. How to store Torsemed

• Keep this medicine out of sight and reach of children.
• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the packaging. The expiry date refers to the last day of the stated month.

Translation of some information on the immediate packaging:
Ch.-B./verwendbar bis: siehe Prägung – Batch number/expiry date: see imprint

• Do not store above 25°C.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer in use. This will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the packaging and other information

What Torsemed contains

• The active substance is torasemid. Each tablet contains 20 mg of torasemid.
• The other ingredients are: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, corn starch, colloidal anhydrous silica.

What Torsemed looks like and contents of the pack
White or almost white, round tablets with a cross-scored dividing line.
Pack sizes: 30, 60 and 90 tablets.
For more detailed information, please contact the responsible party or parallel importer.
Marketing Authorisation Holder in Germany, the country of export:
Hexal AG
Industriestraße 25
83607 Holzkirchen
Germany
Manufacturer:
Lek S.A., Podlipie 16, 95-010 Stryków, Poland
Salutas Pharma GmbH, Otto-von-Guericke-Allee 1, 39179 Barleben, Germany
Lek Pharmaceuticals d.d., Verovskova ulica 57, 1526 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Parallel importer:
InPharm Sp. z o.o.
Strumykowa 28/11
03-138 Warsaw
Repackaged by:
InPharm Sp. z o.o. Services sp. k.
Chełmżyńska 249
04-458 Warsaw
Marketing Authorisation number in Germany, the country of export: 58015.03.00
Parallel import licence number: 732/15