Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? Yes
- Drug class: Diuretic (thiazide), antihypertensive
Uses
- Controls, but doesn't cure, high blood pressure.
- Reduces fluid retention (edema), decreasing likelihood
of congestive heart failure.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble
tablet and take with liquid or food.
When to take:
At the same time each day, no later than 6 p.m.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Forces sodium and water excretion, conserves potassium, reducing
body fluid.
Relaxes muscle cells of small arteries.
Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.
Time lapse before drug works:
2-6 hours. May require several weeks to lower blood pressure.
Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Cramps, weakness, drowsiness, weak pulse, coma, rapid, irregular
heartbeat.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
In case of overdose, see Overdose section.
Common:
- Increased thirst, irregular heartbeat, cramps in muscles,
numbness and tingling in hands and feet, thready pulse,
shortness of breath.
- Tiredness, weakness, diarrhea, headache, appetite loss,
nausea, constipation, decreased interest in sex.
Infrequent:
- Mood changes, dizziness, lightheadedness.
- Fever and chills, red tongue, cracked mouth corners, black
stools, dry mouth.
Rare:
Jaundice; unusual bleeding or bruising; abdominal pain with
vomiting; sore throat, sores in mouth; hives, skin rash; joint
pain.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
You are allergic to amiloride or any thiazide diuretic drug.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you are allergic to any sulfa drug.
- If you have gout, diabetes, heart disease.
- If you have liver, pancreas or kidney disorder.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons, especially dizziness and excessive
potassium loss.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until
you finish medicine.
Infants & children:
Not recommended unless closely supervised.
Prolonged use:
- You may need medicine to treat high blood pressure for
the rest of your life.
- Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical
examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure,
kidney function, electrocardiogram and serum electrolytes.
Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun
or sunlamp. Avoid overexposure.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't
climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if
you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and
reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without medical advice.
Others:
- Hot weather and fever may cause dehydration and drop in
blood pressure. Dose may require temporary adjustment. Weigh
daily and report any unexpected weight decreases to your
doctor.
- May cause rise in uric acid, leading to gout.
- May cause blood-sugar rise in diabetics.
- Get periodic check-ups and potassium-level laboratory
tests.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
