Triamterene Description

Generic Name : TRIAMTERENE

Pronunciation : (trye am' ter een)

Trade Name(s) : Frusemene

Why it is prescribed: Triamterene is used to treat water retention caused by conditions such as heart, kidney, and liver disease. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water from the body into the urine.

When it is to be taken: Triamterene is usually taken once or twice a day after you have eaten. Follow the instructions on yor prescription label carefully. If you are to take this drug once a day, take it in the morning after breakfast. If you are to take it twice a day, take a dose in the morning after the breakfast and a dose in the late afternoon with a snack. To avoid going to the bedroom during the night, do not take triamterene in the evening. Triamterene starts working within two hours and keeps working for nine for or more hours. You may need to take this medication for several days before feeling its full effects.

How it should be taken: Triamterene comes in the form of capsules. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly, and blood tests may be done occasionally.
2. Do not stop taking triamterene without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may want to decrease your dose gradually.
3. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Follow your doctor's recommendations. You may be instructed to avoid salt substitutes and potassium-rich foods such as bananas, coconuts, dates, figs, punes, apricots, peaches, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, and orange juice.
4. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it but do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Side Effects :
1. Frequent urination. This side effect usually disappears after a few weeks.
2. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. Take the drug with meals. Contact your doctor if these effect persist.
3. Headache, weakness, dizziness. Contact your doctor if these effects persist or become severe.
4. Fatigue, muscle cramps, palpitations, tingling sensations. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. If you have diabetes or kidney or liver problems, tell your doctor before taking triamterene.
2. If you are breast-feeding a baby, tell your doctor before taking triamterene.
3. Before you take triamterene, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially indomethacin, arthritis medication, and lithium.
4. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.