Amiloride is used for:
Preventing development of low blood potassium or helping to restore normal blood potassium in patients with high blood pressure or heart failure. It is usually used with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It works by making the kidneys eliminate sodium (salt) and water from the body while retaining potassium.
Do NOT use Amiloride if:
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Amiloride
• you are taking potassium supplements or potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, aldosterone, triamterene)
• you are unable to urinate
• you have high blood potassium levels or kidney problems due to diabetes or other severe kidney disease
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Amiloride :
Some medical conditions may interact with Amiloride . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have heart problems, diabetes, kidney damage caused by diabetes, liver or kidney problems, low blood sodium levels, or a high acidity of body fluids, or you are dehydrated
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Amiloride . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, valsartan), cyclosporine, other potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, aldosterone, triamterene) or potassium supplements because high blood potassium levels may occur and cause listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs, heaviness of the limbs, slow or irregular heartbeat, or stopping of the heart
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because they may decrease Amiloride 's effectiveness and increase the risk of kidney problems and high blood potassium levels
• Lithium or quinidine because the risk of their side effects and toxicity may be increased by Amiloride
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Amiloride may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Amiloride :
Use Amiloride as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
• Take Amiloride by mouth with food.
• Amiloride may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
• If you miss a dose of Amiloride , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Amiloride .
Important safety information:
• Amiloride may cause drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Amiloride with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Lab tests, including electrolyte levels and blood pressure monitoring, may be performed while you use Amiloride . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Amiloride with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Amiloride should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Amiloride while you are pregnant. It is not known if Amiloride is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Amiloride .
Possible side effects of Amiloride :
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dry mouth; excessive thirst; slowed heart rate; unusual muscle weakness; unusual tiredness; vomiting.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Symptoms may include lightheadedness; nausea; vomiting; weakness.
Proper storage of Amiloride :
Store Amiloride at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Amiloride out of the reach of children and away from pets.