About Amiloretic
Amiloretic is a combination of the diuretics amiloride and
hydrochlorothiazide. The benefit of this combination is that
amiloride helps reduce the potassium loss caused by hydrochlorothiazide.
Amiloretic works on kidney enzymes to produce more urine which
reduces excess water and salt in the body. Amiloretic is prescribed
to help control high blood pressure and helps reduce excess
fluid in the body caused by heart diseases.
Take Amiloreitic as prescribed. It may take several weeks
of regular use to realize the full benefit of this medication,
though it's effectiveness can be decreased or delayed by skipping
doses or taking the medication at inconsistent times. Amiloretic
is usually used for long-term control of high blood pressure.
Even if you feel better, continue to take Amiloretic as directed.
Discontinuation of this medication should be done gradually.
Consult your doctor before stopping treatment.
Your doctor may include a diet and exercise plan with treatment. You will likely have frequent blood pressure checks and occasional blood tests.
Amiloretic is non-habit forming and available by prescription.
Amiloretic Side Effects
Notify your doctor and seek immediate medical care if any side effects are severe.
Common Side Effects: constipation, dehydration, diarrhea,
dizziness, fatigue, gas, frequent urination, headache, high
potassium levels, irregular heartbeat, intestinal pain, itching
, leg pain, loss of appetite, low sodium levels, nausea, rash,
shortness of breath, stomachache, upset stomach, weakness.
Less frequent Side Effects: Allergic reaction, altered
sense of taste, dry mouth, hair loss, numbness, vomiting.
Report the following side effects to you doctor immediately,
as they may be signs of an intolerance for the medication
or severe liver damage: Allergic reaction, unusual bleeding,
breathing difficulties, bruising, confusion, joint or muscle
pain, decreased circulation, depression, irregular heartbeat,
numbness or tingling, rash, shortness of breath, sore throat,
weakness, yellowing of skin or eyes.
Cautions: This medication may not be suitable for
everyone, and certain individuals may require dosage adjustments
or more careful medical supervision. To ensure the maximum
safety and effectiveness of treatment, discuss any current
instances or medical history of the following.
- Allergies: Any allergic reaction to Amiloretic, ameloride, or hydrochlorothiazide means that you should not use the drug again. Bronchial asthma, allergies to sulfa drugs, or other allergies mean that you are at risk for allergic reaction to this drug. Inform your doctor of any allergies. Seek medical care and discontinue treatment if you have an allergic reaction.
- Collagen Vascular Disease: Caution, notify your doctor if you have collagen vascular disease (lupus erythematosus) before taking Amiloretic.
- Dehydration: Amiloretic may increase risk of dehydration, which could lower blood pressure to unsafe levels. Avoid dehydration, especially during exercise and hot weather.
- Diabetes: Caution, notify your doctor if you have diabetes before taking Amiloretic.
- Glaucoma: Notify your doctor if you have glaucoma before taking Amiloretic.
- Gout: Tell your doctor if you have gout before taking Amiloretic.
- Kidney Problems: Notify your doctor of any kidney problems. People with kidney disease should not take Amiloretic.
- Liver Disease: Caution, notify your doctor if you have liver problems before taking Amiloretic.
- Low Sodium Diet: Follow your doctor's instructions regarding sodium intake.
- Medical Tests: This medication may alter results on a number of medical tests. Inform the lab technician that you are using Amiloretic before your test.
- Other Medications: Any other prescription or over the counter medications that you take or may plan to take should be discussed with your prescribing physician and pharmacist. It's particularly important to mention treatments for high blood pressure.
- Potassium: Bananas, orange juice, prunes and raisins are examples of foods high in potassium. Discuss potassium intake with your doctor. Do not take potassium supplements while taking this medication.
- Pregnancy: Safety of Amiloretic is not established in pregnant women. Notify your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Amiloretic shows up in breast milk.
- Surgery: If you will have any type of surgery or dental work, tell your surgeon or doctor that you are taking Amiloretic.
Amiloretic Interactions
This medication may not mix well with all prescription and over the counter treatments, be sure to discuss with your doctor and pharmacist any other treatments you may plan to take, especially any of the following.
- ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors - Medications
like Accupril (quinapril),
Aceon (perindopril), Altace
(ramipril), Capoten
(captopril), Lotensin
(benazepril), Mavik (trandolapril), Monopril
(fosinopril), Prinivil or Zestril (lisinopril),
Univasc (moexipril), and Vasotec
(enalapril) may cause high
blood potassium when combined with Amiloretic.
- Alcohol - May lower blood pressure even further and increase drowsiness. Speak with your doctor about recommended use.
- Angiotensin II antagonists - Taking angiotensin II antagonists such as Cozaar (losartan) or Diovan (valsartan) while taking Amiloretic may increase the risk of high blood levels of potassium.
- Arginine - May cause dangerous potassium levels when combined with Amiloretic.
- Barbiturates - Sedatives like Butalbital, Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or other barbiturates may not be
suitable treatments for use with this medication.
- Blood pressure medications - The effects of other blood pressure medications may be increased when combined with Amiloretic. Notify your doctor of all medications you are taking.
- Cholestyramine (Questran) - Notify your doctor if you are taking cholestyramine before taking Amiloretic.
- Colestipol (Colestid) - Notify your doctor before combining this medication with Amiloretic.
- Diabetes medications - Notify your doctor if you take diabetes medications such as Micronase, DiaBeta, or insulin.
- Diabinese (chlorpropamide) - Combining Amiloretic with Diabinese may cause blood sodium levels to become too low.
- Diuretics - Do not combine with other diuretics without your doctor's approval.
- Glucophage (metformin) - Combining with Amiloretic may increase blood levels of Glucophage and cause hypoglycemia.
- Herbal supplements - Talk with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements with Amiloretic.
- High blood pressure medications - Consult your doctor before combining Amiloretic with other high blood pressure medications.
- Lanoxin (digoxin) - The effectiveness of Lanoxin may be decreased when taken with Amiloretic.
- Lithium - Toxic levels of this drug may build up, the combination is not generally advised.
- Muscle relaxants - Notify your doctor if you are taking muscle relaxants before combining with Amiloretic.
- Narcotic pain medication like Codeine, Demerol
(meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene),
Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine,
OxyContin (oxycodone),
Percocet (oxycodone and
acetaminophen), Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine),
or Vicodin (hydrocodone and
acetaminophen), Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen) should be used only if your doctor approves on a case-by-case basis.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories, or NSAIDs, such as Butazolidine (phenylbutazone), Clinoril (sulindac), Ibuprofen (Motrin), Indocin (indomethacin), Feldene (piroxicam), Naprosyn (naproxen), Toradol (ketorolac), and others may decrease the effectiveness of treatment.
- Norepinephrine (Levophed) - Notify your doctor if you take Norepinphrine.
- Potassium supplements - Do not take potassium supplements while taking Amiloretic. Follow your doctor's guidelines regarding potassium rich foods such as bananas, orange juice, prunes, and raisins.
- Prednisone - Notify your doctor if you are taking prednisone or other corticosteroids.
- Prograf (tacrolimus) - May cause high potassium levels when combined with Amiloretic.
- Quinaglute (quinidine) - Risk of heartbeat abnormalities when combined with Amiloretic.
- Salt substitutes - Increases risk of high blood levels of potassium.
- Sandimmune (cyclosporine) - May cause excessive potassium levels when combined with Amiloretic.
- Spironolactone - Combining Amiloretic with spironolactone such as Aldactone or Aldactazide may result in high potassium levels.
- Tikosyn (dofetilide) - Combining with Amiloretic may cause severe heartbeat irregularities.
- Triamterene - Combining Amiloretic with triamterene such as Dyrenium or Dyazide may cause dangerously high potassium levels.
Amiloretic Dosages
Amiloretic is available in 5 mg amiloride/ 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide tablets. Amiloretic H.S. is available in 2.5 mg amiloride/ 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide tablets.
Typical starting dose is one tablet per day, usually in the morning, for Amiloretic and 1 to 2 tables per day for Amiloretic H.S. Follow your doctor's dosage instructions.
Amiloretic Directions
For best results, take your medication at the same time every day.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule. Do not take double doses, or change your dose without permission from your doctor.
Tablets may be taken with or without food.
This medication may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how the medication effects you and if it is safe to do so.
Store Amiloretic away from direct light and heat. Store in a dry location; avoid storing it in the bathroom, near sinks, or other areas where it may become damp. Do not use after the expiration date.
Keep Amiloretic away from children; both when storing it, and when discarding any unused medication.
Amiloretic and Pregnancy
There is insufficient evidence of the safety of using Amiloretic while pregnant. Notify your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Amiloretic and Children
The safety and effectiveness of this medication in individuals under the age of 18 has not been adequately studied.
Amiloretic and Seniors
Use with caution. Lower doses and shorter duration of treatment is required. Seniors have an increased risk of dehydration and kidney problems with this medication. Amiloretic may increase the risk of blood clot, heart attack or stroke in older adults.
Amiloretic is a trademark of Aspen Pharmacare
Generic amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide tablets manufactured
by Mylan
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This document is provided for information only. It is not a substitute for consultation with a physician, either to diagnose symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor can say if a medication, or drug combination, is safe for you. Information intended for US residents only.
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