Triamterene

Triamterene can be used alone or with other medications to treat edema, which is caused due to certain conditions like liver and heart disease. Triamterene belongs to a class of medication, known as diuretics. Its function is to eliminate unneeded water from the kidney and sodium from the body into the urine, and also reduces the loss of potassium.

If you have the following medical conditions, then you should avoid taking the medication. It includes kidney disease, severe liver disease, and high potassium levels. The medication should also be avoided if you are taking potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretic like dyazide, maxzide, amiloride, or spironolactone. You should inform your doctor if you have got diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, history of kidney stones, or if you are using other diuretic, because in these conditions, you cannot use the medication or you need special dosage adjustment or some tests during the treatment with triamterene. The medication belongs to FDA pregnancy category C which means that it may cause harm to fetus so it is necessary to inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to be pregnant. The medication may appear in the milk of nursing mother and cause harm to the nursing baby. Those women who are breast-feeding a baby should avoid taking the medication.



Take the medication according to the prescription of your doctor. Don’t try to take the medication in larger amount and for longer time than directed to you by your doctor. While you are taking the medication, you should carry out blood tests and other tests on regular basis to observe the function of your kidney or liver. If there is a need to do a surgery then tell your doctor that you are using triamterene. Place the medication at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose then take it as soon as you remember and if the time is near to take the next scheduled dose then skip the missed dose and go back to your regular scheduled doses. If you experience any symptoms of overdose then contact with your doctor and get emergency medical help. The symptoms are vomiting, nausea, weakness, increased urination, fever, warmth or flushing your face, or muscle spasms. You should avoid alcohol because it increases some of the side effects of triamterene and also avoid the medicines which can cause you light-headed, because it can also increase the side effects of the medication. You should avoid low-sodium products or salt substitutes which contain potassium, because it can increase the level of potassium in the body.

If you experience any of the signs of allergic reactions like hives, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat, and difficulty in breathing, then you should get emergency medical help. There are some serious side effects like numbness or tingly feeling, muscle pain or weakness, irregular heartbeats, tremors, confusion, shallow breathing, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice, feeling drowsy, restless, or light headed. If you experience any of the above symptoms then stop the medication and contact with your doctor.