Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide
About
Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide belongs to the class of medicines known as 'diuretic drugs or water pills', primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and oedema (fluid retention). Hypertension is a medical condition, in which the blood exerts high pressure (force exerted by circulating blood) against blood vessel's walls. This condition makes the heart to work harder in pumping the blood to the whole body. Hypertension can cause severe health complications, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure. Oedema is a condition caused by a build-up of fluid and swelling in the ankles, feet and legs.
Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide contains two medicines: Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide. They work by eliminating extra water and several electrolytes from the body via urine. Amiloride blocks sodium-potassium exchange in the distal tubule of nephron (functional unit of the kidney). It helps in clearing the excess fluids in the body in the form of urine. When not removed from the body, this extra water can cause strain the heart, blood vessels, lungs, kidneys or liver. Hydrochlorothiazide (diuretic) works by increasing the amount of urine passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid overload in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body.
Take Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, glucose intolerance, weakness, muscle cramp, electrolyte imbalance, and increased uric acid level in blood. Most of these side effects of Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Before starting Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide, please inform your doctor if you have an allergy with Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide or any ingredient of Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide. Try not to stop taking Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide of your own. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide should not be taken in the conditions like diabetes (high blood sugar level), high level of potassium in the blood. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from any kidney or liver or heart disease. Immediately inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. It is not recommended to drive after taking Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide as it may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
Uses of Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide
Medicinal Benefits
Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide prevents the build-up of extra water in the body and treats hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, and oedema (fluid retention). Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of medicine that consists of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Amiloride is a 'potassium-sparing diuretic' and treats hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood) in people with high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. Hydrochlorothiazide blocks sodium reabsorption from absorbing in the kidneys and increases the excretion of sodium, potassium electrolytes, water, and hydrogen ions. Hydrochlorothiazide effectively treats high blood pressure, fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis (chronic damage) of the liver, kidney disorders, or oedema caused by steroids or estrogen therapy. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide works by acting on different parts of the kidney to remove extra fluid and certain electrolytes while maintaining the body's potassium balance. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide clears the excess fluids in the body in the form of urine.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Glucose intolerance
- Weakness
- Muscle cramp
- Electrolyte imbalance
- The increased uric acid level in the blood
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not use Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide if you are allergic to Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide or any of its components. Please inform your doctor if you are using any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, before starting Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide. Let your doctor know if you have any untreated salt/mineral imbalance (high potassium, low sodium level), kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes. Inform your doctor if you have Addison's disease (adrenal insufficiency), gout (inflammation in joints), decrease in vision or eye pain. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide should not be taken in the conditions like a high level of cholesterol, abnormal heartbeat, heart failure. If you are suffering from diarrhoea or severe vomiting, then immediately inform your doctor. Before taking Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide, inform your doctor if you had skin cancer. Immediately inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for children below 18 years of age. It is not recommended to drive after taking Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide as it may cause drowsiness and dizziness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide may interact with blood pressure lowering medicines (enalapril, ramipril, benazepril, valsartan, losartan), diabetic drugs (Insulin, chlorpropamide), anti-depression medicine (lithium), painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin, morphine), antianxiety (phenobarbital, secobarbital), cholesterol-lowering medicines (cholestyramine, cholestipol), medicines for eczema (tacrolimus), medicine for reducing immunosuppressant (cyclosporine), and muscle relaxants (tubocurarine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide may interact or may have decreased effect when used with alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide, let your doctor know if have salt/mineral imbalance (high potassium, low sodium level), kidney disease, liver disease, and gout.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol may cause dizziness. It would help if you avoided or limit consuming alcohol whilst taking Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide.
Pregnancy
unsafeAmiloride+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended during pregnancy since it may cause harmful effects on the baby. It is advised to seek medical advice before using Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide if you plan to conceive or pregnant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeAmiloride+hydrochlorothiazide may pass into the breast milk during breastfeeding. Please consult your doctor before using Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide if you are a lactating mother.
Driving
cautionAmiloride+hydrochlorothiazide may cause side effects such as dizziness or tiredness. If you feel dizzy or tired when taking this medicine, do not drive or use any tools or machines.
Liver
cautionLet your doctor know if you have any history of liver diseases before using Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide. Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide is to be administered with caution in patients with severe hepatic impairment.
Kidney
cautionAmiloride+hydrochlorothiazide to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Children
unsafeAmiloride+hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for use in children below 18 years as the efficacy and safety have not been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with body mass index (BMI) between 19.5 and 24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Limit sodium chloride intake (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol, use only one serving for women and two servings for men.
- Quit smoking to lower the risk of heart diseases.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spent time with your loved ones to cope with stress.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily, and if you notice any fluctuations frequently, please contact your doctor immediately.
- Try including heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acid-containing foods in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oils like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil, and coconut oil to lower your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
Your doctor may advise you to get a regular kidney function test, blood examinations for potassium levels and other electrolytes while using Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide to rule out any renal impairment.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is defined as the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, then arteries become narrower, and in turn, blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack. Additionally, high blood pressure can also cause brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Blood pressure is expressed as systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure represents the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Diastolic pressure is exerted in the blood vessels when the heart beats and is in the resting state. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is detected when systolic blood pressure is more than 140mmHg, and diastolic pressure is higher than 90mmHg. Some of the symptoms of hypertension include headache, nosebleed, vomiting and chest pain.
Heart failure: It is a heart disease in which muscles of the heart does not pump enough blood as it should.
Oedema: It is swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body's tissues. It can affect any part of the body, preferably more in hands, arms, feet, ankles, and legs.
FAQs
Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide treats hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure and oedema (fluid retention). Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide consists of diuretic medications: Amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. It works by acting on different parts of the kidney to remove extra fluid and certain electrolytes while maintaining the body's potassium balance. This Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide helps in getting down the blood pressure as well as swelling.
Yes, the use of Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide may cause dry mouth. If you feel dry mouth, drink plenty of water. Take normal sips during the day and keep some water at night. If your lips are also dry, you may use lip balm. Try to prevent foods that are spicy, acidic (like lemons), and salty.
Your doctor will examine your potassium levels in blood regularly for high potassium levels. Make sure that you do not forget any future meetings with the doctor.
Amiloride+hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness as one of its side effects. If you feel dizzy, try getting up slowly from a sitting or lying position. If your dizziness is severe or unmanageable, please seek medical advice.
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. However, if it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.
