This product is used to treat high blood pressure
(hypertension), heart failure, or extra fluid in the body (edema). Lowering
high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney
problems.
This product contains two medications: amiloride and
hydrochlorothiazide. Both medications are "water pills" (diuretics) and
cause your body to get rid of extra salt and water. This effect may
increase the amount of urine you make when you first start the product.
Amiloride also helps to treat or prevent low blood potassium
levels.
Take this medication by mouth with food as directed by
your doctor, usually once or twice daily. The dosage is based on your
medical condition and response to treatment.
If you take this drug too close to bedtime, you may need
to wake up to urinate. It is best to take this medication at least 4 hours
before your bedtime. If you have any questions about how and when to take
this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most
benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each
day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with
high blood pressure do not feel sick.
If you also take certain drugs to lower your cholesterol
(bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take this
product at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after these
medications.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better
or if it gets worse (for example, your blood pressure readings remain high
or increase).
See also Warning section.
Headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite,
stomach/abdominal pain, gas, or diarrhea may occur. If any of these effects
last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get
up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor 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 dehydration and electrolyte
imbalance. Tell your doctor right away if you have any symptoms of
dehydration or electrolyte imbalance, including unusual dry mouth/thirst,
muscle cramps/weakness, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, or
confusion.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- fainting
- signs of liver problems (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't
stop, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine)
- joint pain
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
- decrease in vision
- eye pain
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
See also Warning section.
Before taking this product, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to amiloride or hydrochlorothiazide; or if
you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive
ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to
your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- electrolyte imbalance (such as high potassium, low sodium
level)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- diabetes
- dehydration
- lupus
- gout
- high levels of fats in the blood
(cholesterol/triglycerides)
- skin cancer
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana
(cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do
anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic
beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana
(cannabis).
Severe sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause
dehydration and cause you to feel lightheaded. Tell your doctor if you have
severe diarrhea or vomiting. To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids
unless your doctor tells you not to.
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
It may also increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you take it
for a long time. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and
sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell
your doctor right away if you get sunburned, have skin blisters/redness, or
notice new or changed moles/skin lesions.
If you have diabetes, this product may affect your blood
sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results
with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high
blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to
adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
This product may affect the potassium levels in your
blood. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain
potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your
doctor.
Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. It is
unknown if amiloride passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before
breastfeeding.
See also How To Use and Precautions section.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
are:
- dofetilide
- lithium
- sodium phosphate products
- other products that may affect potassium levels (such as
eplerenone, tacrolimus, cyclosporine, birth control pills containing
drospirenone, other diuretics like spironolactone/triamterene, ACE
inhibitors like benazepril/captopril, angiotensin receptor antagonists like
losartan/valsartan)
Some products have ingredients that could raise your
blood pressure or worsen your heart failure. Tell your pharmacist what
products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially
cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as
ibuprofen/naproxen).
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as glucose tolerance testing, parathyroid test, protein-bound iodide
test), possibly causing false test results. Make sure lab personnel and all
your doctors know you use this drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe
dizziness, fainting, slow/irregular heartbeat.
Do not share this medication with others.
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.
Lab and/or medical tests (including kidney function,
blood mineral levels such as potassium, skin exams) should be done while
you are taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments.
Consult your doctor for more details.
Check your blood pressure regularly while taking this
medication, especially when you first start this drug or when your dose is
changed. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share
the results with your doctor.
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. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.