triamterene (Dyrenium)

Brand Names: Dyrenium

Generic Name: triamterene

• What is triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• What are the possible side effects of triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• What is the most important information I should know about triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• How should I take triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Dyrenium)?
• What happens if I overdose (Dyrenium)?
• What should I avoid while taking triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• What other drugs will affect triamterene (Dyrenium)?
• Where can I get more information (Dyrenium)?

Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that 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 using steroid medicine or 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 not listed in this medication guide.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using triamterene and call your doctor at once if you have:

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
• slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• little or no urinating;
• signs of a kidney stone--sudden pain in your back or side, vomiting, fever, chills, painful urination, and urine that looks, red, pink, brown, or cloudy; or
• high potassium level--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement.

Common side effects may include:

• nausea, diarrhea;
• dizziness, headache;
• dry mouth; or
• feeling weak or tired.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

You should not use this medicine if you have severe kidney or liver disease, urination problems, or high levels of potassium in your blood. You should not take triamterene if you also take potassium supplements, or other diuretics such as amiloride or spironolactone.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of hyperkalemia (high potassium), such as nausea, irregular heartbeats, weakness, or loss of movement. High potassium may be more likely in older adults, or in people with kidney disease, diabetes, or severe illness.

You should not use triamterene if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe kidney disease, or if you are unable to urinate;
• severe liver disease;
• high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or
• if you take potassium supplements, or another potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride, eplerenone, or spironolactone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• diabetes;
• heart disease;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• gout; or
• kidney stones.

Using triamterene may increase your risk of developing hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in your blood). High potassium may be more likely in older adults, or in people with kidney disease, diabetes, or severe illness.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant. Triamterene may harm an unborn baby. However, the benefit of treating edema during pregnancy may outweigh the risk to the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using triamterene.

Triamterene is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Take this medicine after eating a meal to avoid stomach upset.

Taking a diuretic can make you urinate more often, which could disrupt your sleep. If you take triamterene only once per day, take it in the morning to reduce the chance of night-time urination.

You may need frequent medical tests. Your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using triamterene.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using triamterene.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

QUESTION

In the U.S., 1 in every 4 deaths is caused by heart disease. See Answer

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include increased nausea, vomiting, unusual heart rate, muscle weakness, or loss of movement.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.

Triamterene could make you sunburn more easily. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes, unless your doctor has told you to.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• any other diuretic;
• lithium;
• insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
• heart or blood pressure medicine; or
• NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect triamterene, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about triamterene.

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