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- $Unique_ID{BRK03365}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination}
- $Subject{Dyazide Smith Kline Beecham Maxzide Lederle Diuretic antihypertensive
- triamterene hydrochlorothiazide high blood pressure fluid accumulation heart
- failure cirrhosis liver kidney disease elimination salt water kidneys
- potassium loss}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{
- Dyazide*0336501.scf
- Maxzide*0336502.scf}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Dyazide (Smith Kline Beecham)
- Maxzide (Lederle)
- triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Diuretic and antihypertensive
-
- INGREDIENTS
-
- triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (50 mg triamterene and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide)
- Tablets (37.5 mg triamterene and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide, and 75 mg
- triamterene and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination is prescribed to treat
- high blood pressure. It is also used to reduce fluid accumulation in the body
- caused by conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney
- disease, and the long-term use of some medications. It reduces fluid
- accumulation by increasing the elimination of salt and water through the
- kidneys. Triamterene is combined with hydrochlorothiazide to prevent
- potassium loss.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To decrease stomach irritation, you can take this medication with a glass
- of milk or with a meal (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Try
- to take it at the same time every day. Avoid taking a dose after 6:00 p.m.;
- otherwise, you may have to get up during the night to urinate.
- This drug does not cure high blood pressure but will help to control the
- condition as long as you continue to take it.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just wait until the next scheduled dose. Do not
- double the dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
- increased urination, loss of appetite, restlessness, tiredness, or upset
- stomach. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
- medication.
- This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is,
- therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
- Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
- Triamterene can cause the urine to turn bluish; this is a harmless side
- effect.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads) and exercise more
- (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- If you experience dryness of the mouth, you might want to try sucking on
- ice chips or a piece of hard candy or chewing sugarless gum.
- To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
- the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing
- one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
- feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- anxiety; back or flank (side) pain; confusion; cracking at the corners of the
- mouth; difficulty in urinating; difficulty in breathing; dry mouth; fever;
- itching; mood changes; mouth sores; muscle cramps or spasms; nausea; painful
- urination; palpitations; rash; red or inflamed tongue; sore throat; thirst;
- tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or lips; unusual bleeding or
- bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; or yellowing of the eyes or
- skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination interacts with several
- foods and medications:
- 1. Concurrent use of it with antihypertensives, such as benazepril,
- fusinopril, lisinopril, and ramipril, or with spironolactone, amiloride,
- potassium salts, low-salt milk, salt substitutes, captopril, enalapril, or
- laxatives can cause serious side effects from hyperkalemia (high levels of
- potassium in the blood).
- 2. This drug may decrease the effectiveness of oral anticoagulants,
- antigout medications, insulin, oral antidiabetic medicines, and methenamine.
- 3. Fenfluramine may increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects of this
- drug (which can be dangerous).
- 4. Indomethacin may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
- 5. Cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, triamterene and
- hydrochlorothiazide combination should be taken one hour before or four hours
- after a dose of cholestyramine or colestipol if one of these medications has
- also been prescribed.
- 6. This medication may increase the side effects of amphotericin B,
- calcium, cortisone and cortisone-like steroids (such as dexamethasone,
- hydrocortisone, prednisone, and prednisolone), digoxin, digitalis, lithium,
- quinidine, sulfonamide antibiotics, and vitamin D.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to triamterene or hydrochlorothiazide or to any
- other sulfa drugs, including other diuretics, oral antidiabetic medications,
- and sulfonamide antibiotics.
- * Before you start to take triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide
- combination, tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
- disease, kidney stones, problems with urination, diabetes mellitus, gout,
- liver disease, asthma, acidosis, pancreatic disease, systemic lupus
- erythematosus, anemia, blood disease, hypercalcemia, or hyperkalemia.
- * This drug can occasionally cause potassium loss from the body. Signs
- of potassium loss include dry mouth, thirst, weakness, muscle pain or cramps,
- nausea, and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your
- doctor.
- * Triamterene can cause hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the
- blood). Signs of hyperkalemia include palpitations; confusion; numbness or
- tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; anxiety; or unusual tiredness or
- weakness. In order to avoid this problem, do not alter your diet, and do not
- use salt substitutes unless you first consult your doctor.
- * If you are taking quinidine (an antiarrhythmia heart medication), it is
- important to know that triamterene may interfere with the laboratory
- determination of your blood quinidine concentration. Before you undergo such
- a test, be sure to tell your doctor that you are also taking triamterene and
- hydrochlorothiazide combination.
- * Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages while taking this medication,
- in order to prevent dizziness and light-headedness.
- * Do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for
- weight control or for allergy, asthma, cough, cold, or sinus problems unless
- you first check with your doctor. Some of these products can lead to an
- increase in blood pressure.
- * Do not change brands of this medication without consulting your doctor.
- * To prevent severe water loss (dehydration) while taking this
- medication, check with your doctor if you have any illness that causes severe
- or continuous nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- * This medication can raise blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
- Therefore, blood sugar should be monitored carefully with blood or urine tests
- when this medication is being taken.
- * A doctor does not usually prescribe a "fixed-dose" medication like
- triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination as the first choice in the
- treatment of high blood pressure. Usually, the patient will first receive
- each ingredient singly. If there is an adequate response to the fixed dose
- contained in an individual product, it can then be substituted. The
- advantages of a combination product include increased convenience and (often)
- decreased cost to the consumer.
- * Your doctor may schedule regular office visits in order to monitor your
- progress and possibly adjust the dosage of this medication.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This drug crosses the
- placenta, and its safety in human pregnancy has not been established. Adverse
- effects have been observed in the fetuses of animals that received large doses
- of this type of drug during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this drug pass into breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-