Description
Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination is used alone or with other medicines to treat water retention (edema) or high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.
Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide are both diuretic medicines (water pills). They reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps lower the blood pressure. Triamterene helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
- Tablet
- Capsule
Before Using
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.
Geriatric
No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have kidney problems and high blood potassium (hyperkalemia), which may require caution in patients receiving this medicine.
Breastfeeding
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amiloride
- Dofetilide
- Eplerenone
- Potassium Citrate
- Spironolactone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acarbose
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acetyldigoxin
- Alacepril
- Albiglutide
- Albuterol
- Alogliptin
- Amphetamine
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arginine
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin
- Benazepril
- Benzhydrocodone
- Benzphetamine
- Bromfenac
- Bromocriptine
- Bufexamac
- Buprenorphine
- Canagliflozin
- Captopril
- Cefepime
- Celecoxib
- Chlorpropamide
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilazapril
- Clonixin
- Codeine
- Cyclosporine
- Dapagliflozin
- Delapril
- Deslanoside
- Desmopressin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Dextroamphetamine
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitalis
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Amantadine
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Bepridil
- Carbamazepine
- Cholestyramine
- Ginkgo
- Gossypol
- Licorice
Other Interactions
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Tobacco
Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.
- Potassium Containing Food
Other Medical Problems
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Anuria (not able to pass urine) or
- Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) or
- Kidney problems (eg, kidney failure), severe or
- Sulfa drug allergy (eg, sulfamethoxazole, Bactrim®, Septra®)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.
- Diabetes or
- Weakened immune system, severe—May increase risk for more serious medical problems (eg, hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis).
- Electrolyte imbalance or
- Glaucoma, secondary angle closure or
- Gout or
- Heart failure or
- Heart rhythm problems (eg, arrhythmia), history of or
- Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or
- Hypochloremia (low chloride in the blood) or
- Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
- Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
- Kidney stones, history of or
- Liver disease (including cirrhosis) or
- Parathyroid disease—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.
Proper Use
This medicine should not be the first medicine you use to treat your condition. It is meant to be used only after you have tried other medicines that have not worked or have caused unwanted side effects.
In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium (salt). Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.
Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.
Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.
Swallow the capsule whole. Do not break, crush, or chew it.
Dosing
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form (capsules):
- For hypertension or edema:
- Adults—One or two capsules once a day. Each capsule contains 25 milligrams (mg) hydrochlorothiazide and 37.5 mg triamterene.
- Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For hypertension or edema:
Missed Dose
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Precautions
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, or certain diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor®, Moduretic®), spironolactone (Aldactazide®, Aldactone®), or other products containing triamterene. Using these medicines together may cause serious problems.
This medicine may increase the amount of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, confusion, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, trouble breathing, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.
Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, eye pain, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. Your doctor may want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. Check with your doctor if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Dizziness may be worse if you lose too much water from your body. You can lose water by sweating, having diarrhea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if this medicine makes you feel lightheaded or dizzy after you have been vomiting or had diarrhea.
Check with your doctor right away if you experience drowsiness, fainting, confusion, muscle pain, weakness, and/or a fast heartbeat. Use extra care if you exercise or if the weather is hot. Heavy sweating can cause dehydration (loss of too much water) or electrolyte imbalances (loss of sodium, potassium, or magnesium in the body).
This medicine may increase your risk of getting skin cancer (eg, non-melanoma skin cancer). Avoid sun exposure. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.
This medicine may cause serious kidney problems, including kidney stones. Check with your doctor right away if you have lower back or side pain, decreased frequency or amount of urine, bloody urine, increased thirst, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, swelling of the face, fingers, or lower legs, weight gain, or trouble breathing.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may tend to increase your blood pressure.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Incidence not known
- Agitation
- back or leg pains
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blisters, hives, itching, skin rash
- bloating
- blood in the urine or stools
- blue lips and fingernails
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain or tightness
- chills
- clay-colored stools
- cloudy urine
- cold sweats
- coma
- confusion
- constipation
- cough or hoarseness
- coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
- dark urine
- decreased urine output
- depression
- difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
- difficulty swallowing
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
- drowsiness
- dry mouth
- fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- fever with or without chills
- flushed, dry skin
- fruit-like breath odor
- general body swelling
- general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness
- greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
- headache
- hostility
- incoherent speech
- increased hunger
- increased sweating
- increased thirst
- increased urination
- indigestion
- irritability
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- lethargy
- loss of appetite
- loss of consciousness
- lower back or side pain
- metallic taste
- mood changes
- muscle pain, cramps, weakness, or twitching
- nausea or vomiting
- nervousness
- nosebleeds
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- pain in the groin or genitals
- painful or difficult urination
- pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
- pale skin
- persistent non-healing sore
- pink growth
- pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- rapid weight gain
- reddish patch or irritated area
- seizures
- sharp back pain just below the ribs
- shiny bump
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
- stomachache
- stupor
- sugar in the urine
- swelling of the face, ankles, hands, feet, or lower legs
- swollen or painful glands
- thickening of bronchial secretions
- trouble breathing
- unexplained weight loss
- unpleasant breath odor
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood
- weak pulse
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
- white, yellow or waxy scar-like area
- yellow eyes or skin
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:
Symptoms of overdose
- Face is warm or hot to touch
- frequent urination
- increased volume of pale, dilute urine
- loss of strength or energy
- pain or weakness in the hands or feet
- redness to face
- reflexes are unusually strong
- trembling
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
- Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- inability to have or keep an erection
- increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- redness or other discoloration of the skin
- sensation of spinning
- severe sunburn
- welts
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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