Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide - Oral

Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide are combined in this medicine.

Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide is used on its own or together with other medicines to treat water retention caused by heart failure, kidney or liver 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 may also be used to help keep your blood pressure under control.

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.

You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.

You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide. 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.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.

Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide 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.

Do not take Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide if you ever had an allergic reaction to this medicine or similar medicines such as sulfonamide-containing medicines.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels in the blood)
• anuria (a condition wherein you are unable to pass urine)
• severe kidney disease

as Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine with certain water pills or medicines for water retention (e.g. amiloride, spironolactone) and other medicines used to treat low potassium levels in the blood. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of gout (high uric acid level in the blood)
• history of allergy
• history of asthma
• diabetes
• hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
• high cholesterol
• parathyroid disease
• systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
• kidney stones
• mild to moderate kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide to the elderly and severely ill individual. Elderly people and severely ill individuals may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. parathyroid function test) or going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide.

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. liver and kidney function, electrolyte levels) 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.

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.

Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, change in taste, headache, dizziness, and itching.

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.

Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed
• mood changes, confusion, fits or seizures, increased thirst, dry mouth, dry eyes, upset stomach, feeling very tired or weak
• eye problems e.g. eye pain, increased pressure in the eyes, change in eyesight
• changes in color or size of a mole, new or changing skin lump or growth

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 Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide with the following medicines:

• other water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone, amiloride
• other medicines containing potassium

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, enalapril
• chlorpropamide (medicine for diabetes)
• lithium (medicine for mood disorder)
• amphotericin B (certain antibiotic)
• NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide.

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.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.