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Amiloride is used with hydrochlorothiazide to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), certain heart problems (congestive heart failure) or swelling (edema) that may be caused by severe liver problems.Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Controlling congestive heart failure helps prevent a worsening of the disease and its symptoms, such as tiredness, difficulty breathing, and swelling (edema).This medication contains two drugs, amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Each medication is a water pill (diuretic) that works by increasing the amount of urine you make, allowing your body to get rid of extra salt and water. Amiloride also prevents the kidneys from getting rid of too much potassium.
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Amiloride-Hydrochlorothiazide images:
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| Overview |
Photos |
How To Use |
Side Effects |
Precautions |
Missed Dose |
Drug Interactions |
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Amiloride-Hydrochlorothiazide
Uses
Amiloride is used with hydrochlorothiazide to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), certain heart problems (congestive heart failure) or swelling (edema) that may be caused by severe liver problems.Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Controlling congestive heart failure helps prevent a worsening of the disease and its symptoms, such as tiredness, difficulty breathing, and swelling (edema).This medication contains two drugs, amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Each medication is a water pill (diuretic) that works by increasing the amount of urine you make, allowing your body to get rid of extra salt and water. Amiloride also prevents the kidneys from getting rid of too much potassium.
Notes
- Do not share this medication with others.If you have high blood pressure, lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine.
- Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., kidney and liver function, blood salt levels, complete blood counts, cholesterol) should be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
- Consult your doctor for more details.Have your blood pressure and heart rate checked regularly while taking this medication.
- Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure and heart rate at home, and share the readings with your doctor.
Storage
- Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
- Do not store in the bathroom.
- Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
How To Use
- See also the Warning section.Take this medication by mouth, usually once daily on an empty stomach or as directed by your doctor.
- If stomach upset occurs, take it with food, but consistently take it either with or without food.If you take this drug too close to bedtime, you may need to wake up to urinate.
- Therefore, it is best to take this medication at least 4 hours before your bedtime.The dosage is based on your age, medical condition and response to therapy.
- If you have severe liver or kidney problems, your dosage may need to be adjusted.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it.
- To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
- It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well.
- Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
- It may take up to several weeks before the full benefit of this drug takes effect.Do not stop taking this medication without first consulting your doctor.
- Some conditions may become worse when the drug is abruptly stopped.
- Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).
Side Effects
- See also the Warning section.Headache, weakness, increased tiredness, dizziness, nausea, decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, or intestinal gas may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
- You may also be more sensitive to sunburn (see Precautions section).
- If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
- Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.This medication may cause too much body water and salts to be lost (dehydration).
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of dehydration: very dry mouth, thirst, muscle cramps, weakness, fast heartbeat, vomiting, severe dizziness, confusion, unusual decrease in the amount of urine, fainting, seizures.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: joint/muscle pain, worsening of gout, flushing, unusual tiredness, mental/mood changes (e.g., depression), rapid breathing, decreased sexual ability, vision changes (yellow vision), tingling of the hands/feet, ringing in the ears.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), yellowing eyes/skin, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, slurred speech, black stools, persistent rectal bleeding, painful erections (Peyronie's disease).A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs.
- Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other sulfa drugs; or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
- Before using this medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: inability to make urine (anuria), severe kidney problems (e.g., acute or chronic renal failure, diabetic nephropathy), high blood potassium levels (hyperkalemia).Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: diabetes, severe liver problems (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy), heart disease, untreated blood salt problems (e.g., low sodium), other kidney problems, high cholesterol or blood fats (triglycerides), lupus, gout, recent nerve surgery, asthma.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.This drug may make you dizzy; use caution while engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery.
- Limit alcoholic beverages.To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position, and drink plenty of fluids.
- Too much sweating, diarrhea or vomiting may cause you to lose large amounts of water and salts, causing lightheadedness.
- Avoid heavy exercise.
- Report prolonged diarrhea or vomiting to your doctor.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially dizziness and lightheadedness.
- The elderly are also more likely to have kidney problems and be at risk for high potassium levels.This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
- Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps.
- Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.If you have diabetes, this product may make it harder to control your blood sugar levels.
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly as directed by your doctor.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst and urination.
- Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.This product should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
- Babies born to mothers who have taken this medication during pregnancy may be at risk for liver problems and bleeding problems.
- Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.The hydrochlorothiazide in this product passes into breast milk.
- It is not known if the amiloride in this product passes into breast milk.
- Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended.
- Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
Missed Dose
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember.
- If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
- Do not double the dose to catch up.
Drug Interactions
- Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it.
- Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: cisapride, dofetilide, tacrolimus.If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this product.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alcohol, drugs that may lower your blood pressure (e.g., barbiturates such as phenobarbital, guanethidine, methyldopa, narcotic pain relievers such as codeine), drugs for diabetes (e.g., glyburide, insulin), diazoxide, digoxin, drugs that may be harmful to your kidneys (e.g., cyclosporine), lithium, probenecid, tubocurarine, drugs whose removal from the body is affected by acid levels of urine (e.g., amphetamine, methenamine, quinidine), other products that may decrease potassium levels (e.g., amphotericin B, corticotropin, corticosteroids including prednisone), other products that may increase potassium levels (e.g., eplerenone, spironolactone, triamterene, potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, ACE inhibitors including benazepril and captopril, angiotensin receptor antagonists including losartan and valsartan).Cholestyramine and colestipol may decrease the absorption of this medication.
- If you are taking either of these drugs, separate them from this medication by at least 4 hours.Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products, diet aids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs for pain/fever reduction) because they may contain ingredients that could increase your blood pressure (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine, chlorpheniramine, diphenhydramine, clemastine, ibuprofen, naproxen).
- Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (glucose tolerance testing, parathyroid test).
- Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.
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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.
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