What is triamterene?
Triamterene 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.
Triamterene is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart
failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney condition called nephrotic syndrome.
Triamterene is also used to treat edema caused by having too much aldosterone in your
body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and
water balance in your body.
Triamterene may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking triamterene?
Do not use this medication if you have:
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kidney disease or are unable to urinate;
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severe liver disease;
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high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or
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if you are taking potassium supplements, or another
potassium-sparing diuretic such as Dyazide, Maxzide, amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), or
spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide).
Before using triamterene, tell your doctor if you have:
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use
triamterene, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Triamterene may pass into breast milk and could cause harm to a nursing baby. Do
not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take triamterene?
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.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take this medication after eating a meal.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be
tested on a regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. It is
important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Triamterene can interfere with the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who
treats you that you are using triamterene.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
triamterene. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of triamterene?
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 triamterene?
Your pharmacist has information about triamterene written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of triamterene?
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:
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numbness or tingly feeling;
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muscle pain or weakness;
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slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat;
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feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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shallow breathing;
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tremors, confusion; or
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Continue using triamterene and talk with your doctor if you have any
of these less serious side effects:
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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about triamterene?
Do not use this medication if you have kidney disease, urination problems, severe
liver disease, or high levels of potassium in your blood. Do not use potassium supplements or
other diuretics while you are taking triamterene.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart or liver disease, diabetes,
gout, or a history of kidney stones. Tell your doctor if you are using another diuretic.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of triamterene.
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
triamterene.
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.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What should I avoid while taking triamterene?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of triamterene.
Avoid using other medicines that make you light-headed (such as cold medicine, pain
medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to
the side effects of triamterene.
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
triamterene.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can
make this medication less effective.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
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 triamterene?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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lithium;
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insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth;
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an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others; or
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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.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use
triamterene, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect triamterene. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of triamterene?
