Amiloride
Description
Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic which is used to control high blood pressure and edema. This medicine also used in the treatment of congestive heart failure and liver cirrhosis with ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen). This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with hyperkalemia (elevated levels of potassium in the blood).
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Amiloride
- Abdominal pain
- Confusion
- Difficulty in breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Irregular heartbeat
- Numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Fever
- Back pain
- Headache
Uses of Amiloride
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypertension
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Edema and/or ascites associated with liver cirrhosis
- Hypokalemia
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 2-10 hours of administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of hypotension and adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, etc. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Amiloride or any other inactive ingredients present along with it.
Anuria
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with anuria (a condition where the kidney is unable to produce urine) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Severe renal impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe renal impairment (BUN > 30 mg/dL, Scr > 1.5 mg/dL) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Hyperkalemia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with hyperkalemia (elevated blood levels of potassium in the body) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may advise you to discontinue the drug or to discontinue breastfeeding based on your clinical condition
General warnings
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patient's suffering from liver diseases due to an increase in the risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is advised while taking this medicine. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with a known history of renal diseases due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of renal function is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition of the patient.
Potassium supplements
Use of this medicine will increase the potassium levels in the blood. Therefore, it is advised to avoid potassium-rich foods (potatoes, banana) and medicines that can increase potassium levels (ACE inhibitors and potassium supplements while receiving this medicine.
Driving or operating machinery
Use of this medicine may cause blurred vision or dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Use in Children
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving this medicine as it may increase the risk of hypotension and adverse effects such as dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, etc. Avoid performing activities that need high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating heavy machinery if alcohol and this medicine are used together.
Interaction with Medicine
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI's)
Candesartan
Buspirone
Lithium
Disease interactions
Diabetes Mellitus
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of hyperkalemia, which may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels, serum potassium levels, and renal function tests are necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Electrolyte imbalance
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with electrolytes imbalance due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Electrolytes levels should be corrected before starting the treatment with this medicine. Monitoring of potassium, sodium and other electrolytes levels is necessary while receiving this medicine. An alternative treatment option should be considered in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patient's suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function is advised while taking this medicine. Report any unusual symptoms to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be necessary in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Kidney Disease
This medicine should be used with extreme caution in patient's suffering from acute or progressive renal insufficiency, or diabetic nephropathy due to the increased risk of hyperkalemia, which may result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Close monitoring of renal function is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
It is recommended to avoid a high potassium diet during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of serious adverse effects. Your doctor/dietitian will suggest appropriate changes in your diet to avoid high intake of potassium.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take this medicine as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. Take this medicine at daytime to prevent sleep disturbance. Drink an adequate amount of water. Monitoring of kidney function and electrolytes levels is necessary while taking this medicine. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by increasing the excretion of water and sodium and reduces the blood pressure.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Potassium-sparing diuretics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 4 December 2018]. Available from:
Amiloride [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 4 December 2018]. Available from:
Amiloride - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2018 [cited 4 December 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 15 Feb 2019
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We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.