Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene

Generic name: Hydrochlorothiazide And Triamterene
Drug class: Potassium sparing diuretics with thiazides

Usage of Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene is a combination medicine that is used to treat fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension).

hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene is usually given to people in whom other diuretics have caused hypokalemia (low potassium levels in your blood).

Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

signs of liver or pancreas problems--loss of appetite, upper stomach pain (that may spread to your back), nausea or vomiting, fast heart rate, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

high potassium level--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, feeling weak or tired, slow heartbeats, loss of movement;

low potassium level--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath;

lupus-like symptoms--muscle or joint pain, flu symptoms, chest pain, and a rash or patchy skin color that worsens in sunlight; or

other signs of an electrolyte imbalance--thirst, dry mouth, stomach pain, drowsiness, weakness, fast heart rate, muscle pain or weakness, feeling restless or light-headed.

Common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene may include:

stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, constipation;

dizziness, headache;

blurred vision; or

dry mouth.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or triamterene, or if:

you have kidney disease or are unable to urinate;

you have high potassium levels (hyperkalemia);

you are taking diuretics similar to triamterene, such as amiloride or spironolactone; or

you are taking potassium supplements (unless your doctor tells you to).

Diuretics such as triamterene can raise your blood potassium to dangerous levels. This is more likely to occur if you have kidney disease, diabetes, severe illness, or if you are an older adult. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

diabetes;

cirrhosis or other liver disease;

heart disease, heart rhythm disorder;

gout;

cataracts or glaucoma;

an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin;

kidney stones; o

if you are on a low-salt diet.

It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.

This medicine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene

Usual Adult Dose for Edema:

Hydrochlorothiazide 25 to 50 mg-Triamterene 37.5 to 100 mg orally once a dayComments:-Patients who become hypokalemic on 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide may be transferred directly to hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg-triamterene 75 mg orally once a day. Patients who become hypokalemic on 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide may be transferred directly to hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-triamterene 37.5 mg orally once a day.-Patients in whom hypokalemia cannot be risked may be initiated on hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-triamterene 37.5 mg orally once a day.Uses:-Treatment of hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone.-Initial therapy of hypertension or edema for patients in whom hypokalemia cannot be risked (e.g., patients on concomitant digitalis preparations or with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, etc.).

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Warnings

You should not use hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene if have kidney disease, urination problems, high levels of potassium in your blood, or if you are taking other diuretics similar to triamterene.

This medicine can raise your blood potassium to dangerous levels, especially if you have kidney disease, diabetes, severe illness, or if you are an older adult. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of high potassium: nausea, tingly feeling, feeling weak or tired, slow heartbeats, or loss of movement.

What other drugs will affect Hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

any other blood pressure medicine;

amphotericin B;

chlorpropamide;

digoxin;

laxatives;

lithium;

methenamine;

a blood thinner;

oral diabetes medicine;

steroid medication (prednisone and others);

an ACE inhibitor--Benazepril, Captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, trandolapril; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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