Triamterene
Description
Triamterene is a diuretic which is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat edema (swelling) and fluid retention associated with various conditions of heart, liver, and kidney. This medicine is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Triamterene
- Skin rash
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Stomach pain
- Cough
- Dry mouth
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Joint pain
- Nausea and Vomiting
- Pain in the lower back and side
- Excessive urination
- Visual impairment
Uses of Triamterene
What is it prescribed for?
- Edema
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed within 2 to 4 hours of oral administration of the dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 7 to 9 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known allergy to triamterene 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 kidney impairment 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.
Severe liver impairment
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment 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 absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative based on your clinical condition.
General warnings
Liver impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment.
Kidney impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment.
Hyperuricemia
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hyperuricemia (increased uric acid levels in the blood) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of uric acid levels is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
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. However, your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits significantly outweigh the risks. In such a case, the patient should be monitored closely for any undesirable side effects.
Sports
Athletes are advised not to indulge in certain sports while using this medicine. Archery, racing, shooting and other high-risk sports should be avoided. Sportspersons should refer to the list of medicines published by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) which are not to be taken while participating in specific sports events.
Electrolyte imbalance
This medicine should be used with caution in patients prone to electrolyte imbalances since it may worsen the patient's condition. Close monitoring of electrolyte levels is recommended for such patients. Any electrolyte imbalances should be corrected before initiating therapy. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Driving or operating machinery
This medicine may cause dizziness in some patients. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery during treatment with this medicine, at least until the response to initial treatment has been determined.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled 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 during treatment with this medicine due to the increased risk of side effects such as dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery if you consume alcohol during treatment with this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI's)
Trimethoprim
Amiloride
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB)
Lithium
Disease interactions
Liver Disease
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from liver diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of liver function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe liver impairment.
Renal impairment
This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from kidney diseases due to the increased risk of severe adverse effects. Close monitoring of kidney function tests is necessary while receiving this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required in some cases based on the clinical condition. This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe kidney impairment.
Diabetes Mellitus
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with diabetes due to the increased risk of hyperkalemia (high potassium levels in the blood) and cardiac arrhythmias. Close monitoring of blood potassium levels is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Hyperuricemia
This medicine should be used with caution in patients with hyperuricemia (increased uric acid levels in the blood) due to the increased risk of worsening of the patient's condition. Close monitoring of uric acid levels is recommended for such patients. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative may be required based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
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
It works by increasing the excretion of water and sodium by preventing its reabsorption in the kidneys and reduces the loss of potassium.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Potassium-sparing diuretics
Schedule
Schedule H
DailyMed - Dyrenium- triamterene capsule [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
Triamterene - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
Triamterene: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
Triamterene 50mg Capsules - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (eMC) [Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
Triamterene [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2019 [cited 19 April 2019]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 24 Apr 2019
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