Triamterene - Oral

Triamterene is used to treat water retention caused by heart failure and 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."

Take Triamterene 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 together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.

You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with Triamterene. 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 response to the medication.

Triamterene 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
• severe kidney disease
• severe liver disease

as Triamterene may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine with other water pills or medicines for water retention or other medicines that contain Triamterene or potassium. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• gout (high uric acid level in the blood)
• kidney stones
• diabetes
• low folic acid (vitamin B₉) stores in the body

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Triamterene to the elderly, debilitated individual (physically or mentally weak, usually due to illness or old age) or severely ill individual. They may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. measurement of levels of quinidine [medicine for irregular heartbeat]), inform your doctor that you are taking Triamterene.

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, potassium 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.

Triamterene may cause any of the following side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, and weakness.

You may need to pass urine more often while you are being treated with Triamterene. As your body adjusts to the medicine, this urination effect should also decrease.

This medicine 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
• back pain, belly pain, blood in urine

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 if you are taking any of these medicines:

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

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

• certain medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, enalapril
• indometacin (medicine for pain and inflammation)
• lithium (medicine for mood disorders)

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

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.