Triamterene can be used alone or in combination with other medicines so as to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases the workload of the heart and arteries. When they continue for a longer duration, the heart and arteries may not be able to function properly. This can be able to damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart and kidneys leading to stroke, heart failure or kidney failure.
High blood pressure may also cause an increase in the risk of the heart attack. This problem also is less likely to take place when the blood pressure is controlled. Triamterene is also used in the management of water retention (edema) patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis or kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. Triamterene is a type of diuretic water pill that helps in the prevention of body from losing too much potassium.
It also reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine which helps lower the blood pressure. This medicine is available only with the doctor’s prescription.
When making a decision on how to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine need to be weighed against the benefits of using the medicine. This is the decision that needs to be reached by both you and your doctor. It is necessary that you inform your medical doctor of potential allergies or allergic reactions you have suffered previously to this medicines or any other. In addition, also inform your doctor if you have any other allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.
If using nonprescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully before using these medicines. In children, there have been no age appropriate studies for the effects of triamterene in the pediatric populations. Safety and efficacy studies have also not been performed. Geriatric information on the relationship of age to the effect of triamterene in geriatric patients has also not been performed.
Pregnancy studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women or no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. There are limited 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. Certain medicines may not be used together at all.
However, in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor will make a decision on how soon and when to change the dose, or other precautions as will be necessary. Always consult your medical doctor 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
Eplerenone
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.
Use of these medicines causes an increased risk or certain side effects and using both of the medicines may be the best treatments for you. However, when both medicines are prescribed together, the dose may often be changed, frequency for one or both of the medicines. Some of this medicines include:
Other Interactions may also occur when used around or at the time of eating food since interactions may occur at around the same time. It is also advisable not to use medicines together with alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines since they may cause interactions to occur. The interactions for these medicines may be selected on the basis of potential significance and may not be all inclusive.
Use of this medicine may not be recommended and can be unavoidable in some cases. When used together, your doctor will determine whether to change the dose or how often the dose may be used with this medicine. The doctor may also need to give you special instructions on how to use it with food, alcohol or tobacco or potassium containing foods. The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of these medicines.
Inform your doctor if you have other medical problems in advance such as anuria or diabetes, hyperkalemia (high potassium in blood) or kidney disease, severe liver, or kidney disease. This medicine need not be used in patients with this medical condition since it may make this condition worse. Folic acid deficiency or gout or hyperuricemia created by high uric acid in blood or hypokalemia as a result of low potassium n blood or hyponatremia or kidney stones and their history may make this condition worse.
3 Proper Usage
Beside the use of this medicines for treatment of high blood pressure; use of weight control, and changes in the type of food that you eat can be applied, especially those that are high in sodium. You doctor will advise you on the most important diet and one will be required to check on your doctor before any change of diet can be implemented. Patients with high blood pressure may not notice any signs of the problems. Most of them feel normal.
It is advisable to take your medicine as directed and that you keep your appointment with your doctor even when feeling well. This medicine is not a cure of the high blood pressure but it will help control it and keep it down. Also note that blood pressure drugs may have to be taken for the rest of your life.
When the high blood pressure is not treated, it may lead to serious problems with heart, blood vessels, stroke, kidney disease. Swallow the extended release tablet whole with a full glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it. When using the extended release tablet, part of the tablet may pass into your stool after your body has absorbed the medicine. This is also normal ad nothing to worry about. The dose of the medicine will always be different for different patients.
Always stick to the orders of your doctor and directions provided on the label. Information provided on this article are only average dose values of this medicine. In case it is different from your dose, do not change the dose unless your doctor informs you to do so. The amount of the medicine that you consume will also vary with the strength of the medicine. Also, it is affected by the number of doses you take every day and the time allowed between the doses and finally, the length of time that you take the medicine.
This varies with the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. In patients with high blood pressure: Capsules for oral dosage is used. In adults, 100 milligrams capsules twice a day are used. You doctor may change the dose when needed. However, in children, the use of the medicine must be determined by your medical doctor. The dose may however increase when needed and as determined by your doctor. In children, use and dose must always be determined by your doctor. In case of missed doses, take the medicine as soon as possible.
However, when it is almost time for your next dose, skip the medicine and resume the normal schedule for dosing. Never double the dose. Store the medicine in a closed container and at room temperature and away from the heat, moisture and direct sunlight. Keep the medicine away from freezing. Keep it out of reach of children. Never store outdated medicine. Ask your medical doctor the best way for disposing medicines that can no longer be used.
4 Precautions to Take
Regular medical checkup is necessary during the regular visits to ensure the medicine is working properly and to assess whether you should continue to take it. Blood tests may be required for checking of the unwanted effects. Never use the medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. Drugs with potassium supplements or salts need to be avoided and used only with the instructions from the medical doctor.
Check with your doctor right away if you are having abdominal pain, confusion, difficulty in breathing, irregular heartbeats, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, lips, shortness of breath, or weakness of heaviness of the legs.
Side effects may occur, and when they do, you will need medical attention. Check with your medical doctor as soon as possible to check if the following side effects occur. The most common side effects includes:
Bloating or Swelling of face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
It is recommended that one needs to seek immediate emergency help. Symptoms of drug overdose may also occur. They include: blurred vision, confusion dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position, suddenly flushing and sweating. It is also common that some of the side effects which occur may not need medical attention. They may go away during treatment when your body adjusts to the medicine. Your healthcare professional may also advise you on the best possible ways of managing the side effects.
Moreover, check with your healthcare professional if any of the side effects continue to be bothersome or if you have any questions concerning them.
Other side effects are not listed here and may occur in some of the patients. In case of other side effects, check with your healthcare professional. Inform and consult your medical doctor for proper advice on how to contain the side effects. Similarly, report the side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
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