$Unique_ID{BRK02170}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{TRIAMTERENE AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE COMBINATION}
$Subject{Dyazide (Smith Kline & French)
Maxzide (Lederle)
triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Maxzide*0217001.scf
Dyazide*0217002.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


TRIAMTERENE AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE COMBINATION
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Dyazide (Smith Kline & French)
     Maxzide (Lederle)
     triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Diuretic and antihypertensive
INGREDIENTS:
     triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Capsules (50 mg triamterene and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide)
     Tablets (75 mg triamterene and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide)
STORAGE:
     Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination should be stored at room
       temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.

USES

     Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination is prescribed to treat
high blood pressure.  It is also used to reduce fluid accumulation in the body
caused by conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney
disease, and the long-term use of some medications.  It reduces fluid
accumulation by increasing the elimination of salt and water through the
kidneys.  Triamterene is combined with hydrochlorothiazide to prevent
potassium loss.

TREATMENT

     To decrease stomach irritation, you can take this medication with a glass
of milk or with a meal (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).  Try
to take it at the same time every day.  Avoid taking a dose after 6:00 P.M.;
otherwise, you may have to get up during the night to urinate.
     This drug does not cure high blood pressure but will help to control the
condition as long as you continue to take it.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just wait until the next scheduled dose.  Do not
double the dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
increased urination, loss of appetite, restlessness, tiredness, or upset
stomach.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
     Triamterene can cause the urine to turn bluish; this is a harmless side
effect.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads) and exercise more
(unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     If you experience dryness of the mouth, you might want to try sucking on
ice chips or a piece of hard candy or chewing sugarless gum.
     To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising.  Do this by pushing
one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
anxiety; back or flank (side) pain; confusion; cracking at the corners of the
mouth; difficulty in urinating; difficulty in breathing; dry mouth; fever;
itching; mood changes; mouth sores; muscle cramps or spasms; nausea; painful
urination; palpitations; rash; red or inflamed tongue; sore throat; thirst;
tingling or numbness in the hands, feet, or lips; unusual bleeding or
bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; or yellowing of the eyes or
skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide combination interacts with several
foods and medications:
     1. Concurrent use of it with spironolactone, amiloride, potassium salts,
low-salt milk, salt substitutes, captopril, enalapril, or laxatives can cause
serious side effects from hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the
blood).
     2. This drug may decrease the effectiveness of oral anticoagulants,
antigout medications, insulin, oral antidiabetic medicines, and methenamine.
     3. Fenfluramine may increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects of this
drug (which can be dangerous).
     4. Indomethacin may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.
     5. Cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease the absorption of this
medication from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, triamterene and
hydrochlorothiazide combination should be taken one hour before or four hours
after a dose of cholestyramine or colestipol if one of these medications has
also been prescribed.
     6. This medication may increase the side effects of amphotericin B,
calcium, cortisone and cortisone-like steroids (such as dexamethasone,
hydrocortisone, prednisone, and prednisolone), digoxin, digitalis, lithium,
quinidine, sulfonamide antibiotics, and vitamin D.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to triamterene or hydrochlorothiazide or to any
other sulfa drugs, including other diuretics, oral antidiabetic medications,
and sulfonamide antibiotics.
     * Before you start to take triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide
combination, tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had kidney
disease, kidney stones, problems with urination, diabetes mellitus, gout,
liver disease, asthma, acidosis, pancreatic disease, systemic lupus
erythematosus, anemia, blood disease, hypercalcemia, or hyperkalemia.
     * This drug can occasionally cause potassium loss from the body.  Signs
of potassium loss include dry mouth, thirst, weakness, muscle pain or cramps,
nausea, and vomiting.  If you experience any of these symptoms, call your
doctor.
     * Triamterene can cause hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the
blood).  Signs of hyperkalemia include palpitations; confusion; numbness or
tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; anxiety; or unusual tiredness or
weakness.  In order to avoid this problem, do not alter your diet, and do not
use salt substitutes unless you first consult your doctor.
     * If you are taking quinidine (an antiarrhythmia heart medication), it is
important to know that triamterene may interfere with the laboratory
determination of your blood quinidine concentration.  Before you undergo such
a test, be sure to tell your doctor that you are also taking triamterene and
hydrochlorothiazide combination.
     * Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages while taking this medication,
in order to prevent dizziness and light-headedness.
     * Do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medication for
weight control or for allergy, asthma, cough, cold, or sinus problems unless
you first check with your doctor.  Some of these products can lead to an
increase in blood pressure.
     * Do not change brands of this medication without consulting your doctor.
     * To prevent severe water loss (dehydration) while taking this
medication, check with your doctor if you have any illness that causes severe
or continuous nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
     * This medication can raise blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
Therefore, blood sugar should be monitored carefully with blood or urine tests
when this medication is being taken.
     * A doctor does not usually prescribe a "fixed-dose" drug like this as
the first choice in the treatment of high blood pressure.  Usually, the
patient first receives each ingredient singly.  If there is an adequate
response to the fixed dose contained in this product, it can then be
substituted.  The advantages of a combination product are increased
convenience and (often) decreased cost.
     * Your doctor may schedule regular office visits to monitor your progress
and possibly adjust the dosage.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  This drug crosses the
placenta, and its safety in human pregnancy has not been established.  Adverse
effects have been observed in the fetuses of animals that received large doses
of this type of drug during pregnancy.  Also, tell your doctor if you are
breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of this drug pass into breast milk.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
