Amiloride is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat water retention caused by heart failure, kidney, or liver disease, without the loss of potassium from the body. 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 may also help to keep your blood pressure under control.
Amiloride may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Amiloride 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.
You may take this medicine with food to reduce any stomach discomfort that it may cause. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Amiloride is available as a tablet and oral solution.
If you are taking the oral solution, use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.
You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with Amiloride. Take this medicine 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 prevent you from waking up frequently at night to go to the toilet.
Amiloride must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the 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 dosing 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 have the following conditions:
- hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels in the blood)
- unable to pass urine
- Addison’s disease (a rare disorder where the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones)
- diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes)
- kidney disease
as Amiloride may not be suitable for you.
Do not take Amiloride with medicines used to treat low potassium levels in the blood, and water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone, triamterene. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- heart disease
- lung disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Amiloride to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. glucose tolerance testing), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine. Amiloride must be discontinued at least 3 days prior to this test.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, electrolyte levels [especially potassium], electrocardiogram [test for heart’s electrical activity]) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
- Regular monitoring for signs and symptoms of hyperkalaemia (e.g. slow or irregular heartbeat, tiredness, muscular weakness, cramping or numbness).
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for 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 stop your smoking habit.
Amiloride may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion, stomach wind, thirst, dry mouth, weakness, tiredness, loss of appetite, and joint or back pain.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes, or mouth
- chest pain, unusual heartbeats
- muscle weakness, cramping or numbness
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, tremors, feeling nervous or confused
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Amiloride with the following medicines:
- other similar types of “water-pills” or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone, triamterene
- potassium supplements or salt substitutes (unless instructed by your doctor)
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. enalapril, losartan
- medicines for Parkinson’s disease (disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement, and impaired balance or walking) e.g. levodopa, co-beneldopa, co-careldopa
- medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
- medicines for diabetes e.g. chlorpropamide, diazoxide
- aldesleukin (medicine for cancer)
- corticosteroids (anti-inflammatory medicines) e.g. hydrocortisone, prednisolone
- certain hormones e.g. estrogen, drospirenone
- certain antibiotics e.g. trimethoprim, oxytetracycline (tetracyclines)
- muscle relaxants e.g. baclofen, tizanidine
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin, ketorolac, ibuprofen
- lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- carbamazepine (medicine for fits or seizures)
- alprostadil (medicine for erectile dysfunction)
- trilostane (medicine for Cushing’s disease [a condition caused by having too much hormone called cortisol])
- carbenoxolone (medicine used to treat mouth or stomach ulcers)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Amiloride.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.
Avoid taking too much food that is high in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas, or prunes.
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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