OBJECTIVE: The tolerance and
diuretic properties of torasemide after
intravenous administration to healthy volunteers
were studied. METHOD: The study was opened and randomized. Five groups, each of 6 subjects, were given single ascending i.v. doses ranging from 2.5 mg to 80 mg. The changes of vital signs and laboratory values were recorded. RESULTS: The subjects in all groups were well tolerated. There were 2 subjects complained of slight dizzy and 1 nausea at 40 mg dose group. At the highest dose (80mg) 1 volunteer complained of cramps in the knees calves and feet. There were no significant changes in other vital signs. Some significant drug-related changes were encountered in the within-study haematology and biochemistry assessments. Torasemide proved to be a potent diuretic following
intravenous administration at all doses except 2.5 mg. A linear relationship existed between the urine output and the logarithm of the dose, and both sodium and chloride excretion were linearly correlated with urine volume. The rate of potassium excretion was markedly lower than that of sodium and chloride and was linearly correlated with the logarithm of the urine volume. CONCLUSION: Torasemide was well tolerated from all perspectives studied. It showed a potent diuretic property.