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What is triamterene
 Triamterene
is in a class of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics
(water pills). It is used to reduce the amount of fluid in
the body without causing the loss of potassium.
Triamterene
is used to treat edema (swelling) and hypertension (high blood
pressure).
Triamterene
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about triamterene
To reduce nighttime urination, take triamterene early
in the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Take triamterene with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products
that contain potassium while taking triamterene. These products
could cause high levels of potassium in the blood.
What you should find out before taking triamterene Before taking triamterene, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have diabetes mellitus;
- have a high level
of potassium in the blood; or
- are taking a potassium
supplement, an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE
inhibitor), or an angiotensin II inhibitor.
You may
not be able to take triamterene, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Triamterene
is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is
not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take
triamterene without first talking to your doctor if you
are pregnant.
Triamterene passes into breast milk
and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take triamterene
without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding
a baby.
How should take triamterene Take triamterene exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Triamterene can
be taken with food or milk to decrease stomach upset.
To reduce nighttime urination, take triamterene early in
the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking triamterene suddenly even if you feel
better. Stopping suddenly could make your condition worse.
Store triamterene at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed
and take only the next regularly scheduled dose as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of an triamterene overdose include an irregular heartbeat,
lethargy, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion,
shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.
Avoid while taking triamterene Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products
that contain potassium while taking triamterene. These products
could cause high levels of potassium in the blood.
Possible side effects of triamterene Stop taking triamterene and seek emergency medical
attention or contact your doctor immediately if you experience
any of the following serious side effects:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling
of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- an irregular
heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, weakness,
numbness, or tingling (caused by high levels of potassium
in the blood); or
- decreased urination.
Other,
less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take triamterene and talk to your doctor if you experience
- nausea, diarrhea, or decreased appetite;
-
headache or dizziness;
- dry mouth;
- bloating;
- muscle cramps; or
- lowering of the voice,
excessive hair growth, or enlarged breasts.
Side
effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect triamterene Before taking triamterene tell your doctor if you
are taking any of the following medications:
- lithium
(Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
- an angiotensin-converting-enzyme
inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such as benazepril (Lotensin,
Lotensin HCT), captopril (Capoten, Capozide), enalapril
(Vasotec, Vaseretic), fosinopril (Monopril, Monopril HCT),
lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, Prinzide, Zestoretic), moexipril
(Univasc, Uniretic), quinapril (Accupril, Accuretic), or
ramipril (Altace);
- an angiotensin II inhibitor
such as losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar), valsartan (Diovan, Diovan
HCT), candesartan (Atacand, Atacand HCT), telmisartan (Micardis,
Micardis HCT), or irbesartan (Avapro, Avalide);
-
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
- another potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride
(Midamor) or spironolactone (Aldactone);
- a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as indomethacin (Indocin),
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis,
Orudis KT, Oruvail), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac
(Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), naproxen
(Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox), celecoxib (Celebrex), rofecoxib
(Vioxx), valdecoxib (Bextra), meloxicam (Mobic), and others;
or
- a diabetes medication such as chlorpropamide
(Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), or glyburide (Diabeta,
Glynase, Micronase), and others.
You may not be able
to take triamterene, or you may require a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking
any of the medications listed above.
Also, before
taking triamterene, tell your doctor if you are taking any
other medicine to treat high blood pressure, water retention,
heart problems, prostate problems, or another condition.
Some medicines used to treat these conditions may interact
with triamterene and the effects on your heart may be increased.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with triamterene.
Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription
or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
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