Dytor-20 (Torsemide 20mg) Tablets

Dytor-20 general information

What is Dytor-20 used for?

Dytor tablets 20mg are used to treat oedema (water retention) caused by several conditions, including oedema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, renal disease, chronic renal failure and pulmonary oedema (fluid in the lungs).  Dytor-20 is also used to treat mild to moderate essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest with usually no obvious or identifiable cause, either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, essential hypertension increases risk of cardiovascular disease and if uncontrolled can cause kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and heart failure.  Dytor tablets 20mg remove excess fluid from the body tissues, such as around the feet and ankles, which can become very swollen, and also from the blood, and for this reason they are often called water tablets.  Dytor-20 also lowers blood pressure to normal resting levels, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage. 

How does Dytor-20 work?

Dytor tablets 20mg contain torsemide, a diuretic belonging to the pyridine-sulfonylurea class of loop diuretics, that is used to treat oedema and hypertension.  Torsemide in Dytor-20 acts directly on the kidneys at the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle and works by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride salts back into the blood, resulting in diuresis (excretion of water) and natriuresis (excretion of sodium and chloride)¹.  As more salts are excreted into the urine and more water is removed from the blood, this in turn draws more water out of the tissues, reducing oedema caused by congestive heart failure and other conditions.  This action of torsemide in Dytor-20 also increases urine volume and reduces the blood volume, which reduces resistance in peripheral blood vessels and lowers lower blood pressure.  Torsemide in Dytor-20 is a potent fast-acting long-lasting diuretic that is also relatively potassium and calcium sparing¹.

What does Dytor-20 contain?

Dytor tablets 20mg contains the active ingredient torsemide, a loop diuretic used to treat oedema due to congestive heart failure and other conditions; also, hypertension. 

Treating hypertension with Dytor-20

Dytor tablets 20mg contain torsemide, a diuretic medication (water tablets) used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medications.  Torsemide in Dytor-20 acts directly on the loop of Henle in the kidney and works by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride salts back into the blood, which causes water and salts to be removed from the blood into the urine, drawing excess water out of the swollen tissues.  This action of torsemide in Dytor-20 increases urine volume and reduces the blood volume, which reduces resistance in peripheral blood vessels and lowers lower blood pressure.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, high blood pressure increases risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart attack. 

Dytor-20 for congestive heart failure

Dytor tablets 20mg contain torsemide, a diuretic medication (water tablets) used to treat oedema or water retention by the tissues with swelling, caused by several conditions, including congestive heart failure.   Congestive heart failure results in weakened heart muscles so that the heart cannot pump blood round the circulation sufficiently and this leads to blood collecting in the smallest blood vessels, the capillaries, which become leaky and water passes out of the blood into the tissues causing oedema.  Swelling usually occurs at the feet and ankles but can happen throughout the body, including the lungs.  Torsemide in Dytor-20 acts directly on the loop of Henle in the kidney and works by blocking the reabsorption of sodium and chloride salts back into the blood, which causes water and salts to be removed from the blood into the urine, drawing excess water out of the swollen tissues which increases urine volume and reduces oedema. 

What are the side effects of Dytor-20?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Dytor-20 include nausea, vomiting, heartburn (dyspepsia), headache, dizziness, weakness, restlessness, excessive thirst, excessive urination.

When should Dytor-20 not be used?

You should not use Dytor-20 if you:

• are allergic to torsemide or any sulphonylureas or any ingredients in Dytor-20
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• are dehydrated or have hypovolaemia (low blood volume)
• have irregular heartbeat
• are taking medicines that interact with Dytor-20 including cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout, lithium for mood disorders, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, some antibiotics like aminoglycosides and cephalosporins, cancer treatment like cisplatin, some diabetic medications

What medications interact with Dytor-20?

Several medications interact with Dytor-20 and should either not be taken while you are taking Dytor-20 or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Dytor-20: lithium for mood disorders, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin, some antibiotics like aminoglycosides and cephalosporins, cancer treatment like cisplatin
• Drugs that affect Dytor-20: cholestyramine for high cholesterol, probenecid for gout, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin,
• Drugs that are affected by Dytor-20: antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, some diabetic medications

How should Dytor-20 be taken?

You should take your Dytor tablets 20mg swallowed whole with a glass of water once daily with or without food.  The dose you take depends on your condition and your doctor’s recommendations and may be increased.  You should continue to take your Dytor-20 for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Dytor-20?

You should continue to take your Dytor-20 for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Dytor-20

If you miss a dose of Dytor-20 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Dytor-20 be stored?

You should store your Dytor-20 below 25°C in a cool dry place. 

References

1. Friedel HA, Buckley MM. Torasemide. A review of its pharmacological properties and therapeutic potential. Drugs.1991 Jan;41(1):81-203.