Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing
too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.
Amiloride is used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
Amiloride may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking amiloride?
Do not use this medication if you have:
kidney disease or are unable to urinate;
high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or
if you are taking potassium supplements, or another
potassium-sparing diuretic such Moduretic, spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or
triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special
tests to safely take this medication. Before using amiloride, tell your doctor if you have:
diabetes;
heart disease;
cirrhosis or other liver disease;
a breathing disorder; or
if you are using another diuretic.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether amiloride passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby.
Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take amiloride?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take amiloride with food.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any
scheduled visits to your doctor.
Amiloride can interfere with the results of a glucose tolerance test. Stop using this medication
for at least 3 days before you have this test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using
amiloride.
Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not
allow the tablets to freeze.
What happens if I miss a dose of amiloride?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about amiloride?
Your pharmacist has information about amiloride written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of amiloride?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
headache;
mild nausea, loss of appetite;
gas, stomach pain; or
skin rash.
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.
What is the most important information I should know about amiloride?
Do not use this medication if you have kidney disease, urination problems, or high levels of
potassium in your blood. Do not use potassium supplements or other diuretics while you are taking
amiloride.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart or liver disease, or a breathing
disorder.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of amiloride.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this
medication less effective.
Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These
products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking amiloride.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your
doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking
too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
What should I avoid while taking amiloride?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of amiloride.
Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These
products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking amiloride.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this
medication less effective.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your
doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking
too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
What other drugs will affect amiloride?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
tacrolimus (Prograf);
lithium;
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others; or
indomethacin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren),
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and
others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
amiloride. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
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Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009