amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide at a glance
Medicine class
Thiazide diuretic combined with a potassium-sparing diuretic
Licensed uses
High blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and ascites or oedema associated with liver cirrhosis
Potassium
Reduces potassium loss but can sometimes cause dangerously high potassium
Food
Tablets may be taken with or without food and swallowed with fluid
What is amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide used for?
Licensed uses for the selected product include:
High blood pressure, alone or alongside other antihypertensive treatment
Congestive heart failure with fluid retention
Liver cirrhosis with ascites and oedema
Diuretic treatment when potassium depletion is suspected or anticipated
How does amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide work?
Hydrochlorothiazide increases loss of sodium, chloride, water and potassium in urine. Amiloride promotes sodium loss while limiting potassium excretion, helping counter hydrochlorothiazide's potassium-lowering effect.
How to take amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide
Follow the prescription label. Swallow the tablet with plenty of fluid; it can be taken with or without food. The score line is only to make swallowing easier and does not divide the tablet into equal amounts.
Do not change or stop treatment without speaking to the prescriber.
Avoid driving or operating machinery if dizziness, weakness, sleepiness or visual disturbance occurs.
amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide side effects
Common or expected effects
- Dizziness, headache, tiredness or weakness
- Feeling faint, particularly when standing
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal discomfort
- Thirst, dry mouth or muscle cramps
- Increased urination
- Rash or itching
Get urgent medical advice
- High potassium or other electrolyte disturbance, which may cause weakness, confusion, palpitations, abnormal heart rhythm or seizures
- Severe allergic reaction or severe blistering skin reaction
- Sudden eye pain or reduced vision
- Severe shortness of breath
- Kidney failure, pancreatitis, jaundice or serious blood-cell disorders
- New or changing skin or lip lesions during long-term hydrochlorothiazide exposure
amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide in pregnancy
This combination is not normally recommended during pregnancy. Hydrochlorothiazide crosses the placenta and may reduce placental blood flow or affect the baby's electrolytes and blood cells; another treatment is usually preferred for hypertension. Discuss treatment with the prescriber rather than stopping it independently.
amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide while breastfeeding
Use while breastfeeding is not recommended by the selected product information. Hydrochlorothiazide enters breast milk in small amounts, and marked diuresis may reduce milk production.
amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide interactions
Important interactions include:
Lithium
Diuretics reduce lithium clearance and can cause lithium toxicity; concurrent use is contraindicated for this product.
Spironolactone, triamterene and potassium supplements
Combining potassium-conserving treatments can cause dangerous high potassium.
ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-II receptor blockers, ciclosporin, tacrolimus or trilostane
These can further increase potassium and may require avoidance or close biochemical monitoring.
Common questions about amiloride hydrochloride + hydrochlorothiazide
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why are the two ingredients combined?
Hydrochlorothiazide removes sodium and water but can lower potassium. Amiloride adds a potassium-sparing effect, although high potassium can still occur.
Can it raise potassium?
Yes. Risk is greater with kidney impairment, older age and other potassium-raising medicines; blood tests are used to detect it.
Can I take ibuprofen with it?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.