Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide are combined together in this pill.
Triamterene+Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat water retention caused by heart failure, liver or kidney disease. Water retention may be noticed as swelling of the feet, ankles, lower leg and hands or shortness of breath. For this reason, it is commonly known as a "water pill".
This medicine also helps to keep your blood pressure under control.
This medicine may be used to treat other medical conditions, as decided by your doctor.
Take Triamterene+Hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine with food to reduce stomach upset. Try to take it at the same time each day.
You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with this medicine. Take it early in the day, preferably in the morning. If your doctor has told you to take it twice a day, take the last dose in the late afternoon. This is to avoid you from waking up frequently at night to go to the toilet.
This medicine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking it even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by your doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you:
- are unable to pass urine
- kidney disease
- have high potassium levels
- have Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands)
- are allergic to sulfonamides (e.g. sulfa-containing antibiotic)
- are taking any other types of “water pills” such as spironolactone or potassium supplements
as Triamterene+Hydrochlorothiazide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- gout
- high cholesterol
- kidney stones
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medicine regularly. He may also need to do routine blood tests while you are being treated with Triamterene+Hydrochlorothiazide.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help lower your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity (e.g. walking) at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to kick your smoking habit.
Triamterene+Hydrochlorothiazide may cause weakness and dizziness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert. You may also feel dizzy when getting up from a sitting or lying down position, especially if you are taking this for the first time. This is common and should improve gradually as you get used to the medicine. It will help if you get up slowly.
You may need to pass urine more often while you are being treated with this medicine. As your body adjusts to the medicine, this urination effect should also decrease.
Your urine may look slightly blue in colour. This is normal; do not be alarmed.
This medicine may also cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dry mouth, headache, temporary blurred vision and sensitivity to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid direct or prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Some side effects may be serious. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience:
- severe thirst
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness
- fast or irregular heart beat
- frequent and persistent sore throat with fever or unusual bleeding or bruising
- rashes with skin peeling or blisters
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- any other water pills e.g. amiloride
- medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure e.g. digoxin, enalapril, losartan
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. ibuprofen, indometacin
- corticosteroids (medicines for inflammation) e.g. prednisolone
- medicines for diabetes e.g. glipizide
- lithium (medicine for mood)
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplant or certain immune disorders)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Triamterene+Hydrochlorothiazide.
Always notify your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicine, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Do not take potassium supplements. Avoid taking too much food that is high in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas or prunes. Do not use salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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