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Triamterene

Brand Name: Dyrenium

Generic Name: Triamterene

Drug Class: Diuretics, Potassium-Sparing

What Is Triamterene and How Does It Work?

Triamterene is a prescription drug indicated in the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver and the nephrotic syndrome; steroid-induced edema, idiopathic edema and edema due to secondary hyperaldosteronism.

Triamterene may be used alone or with other diuretics, either for its added diuretic effect or its potassium-sparing potential. It also promotes increased diuresis when patients prove resistant or only partially responsive to thiazides or other diuretics because of secondary hyperaldosteronism.

Triamterene is available under the following different brand names: Triamterene.

Dosage of Triamterene

Capsule

  • 50 mg
  • 100 mg

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Edema

Adults

  • 100-300 mg/day orally each day or divided every 12 hours

Geriatric

  • 50-300 mg/day orally each day or divided every 12 hours

Hypertension

Adults

  • 100-300 mg/day orally each day or divided every 12 hours

Geriatric:

  • 50-300 mg/day orally each day or divided every 12 hours

Pediatric (off-label)

  • Safety and efficacy not established
  • 1-2 mg/kg/day orally divided every 12 hours
  • Maximum dose: 3-4 mg/kg/day orally divided every 12 hours up to 300 mg/day

Renal Impairment

Adult

Hepatic Impairment

Adult

  • Reduce dose in patients with cirrhosis

What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Triamterene?

Side effects of triamterene include:

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

What Other Drugs Interact with Triamterene?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Triamterene has no known severe interactions with other drugs.

Serious interactions of triamterene include:

Triamterene has moderate interactions with at least 136 different drugs.

Triamterene has minor interactions with at least 80 different drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns or for more information about this medicine.

What Are Warnings and Precautions for Triamterene?

Warnings

This medication contains triamterene. Do not take Triamterene if you are allergic to triamterene or any ingredients contained in this drug.

Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to triamterene
  • Anuria, severe liver disease, and kidney failure
  • Hyperkalemia
  • Concomitant use with potassium sparing diuretic, or potassium supplementation

Effects of Drug Abuse

  • No information available

Short-Term Effects

  • See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Triamterene?"

Long-Term Effects

  • See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Triamterene?"

Cautions

Pregnancy and Lactation

  • Use triamterene during pregnancy with caution if benefits outweigh risks
  • Animal studies show risk and human studies are not available, or neither animal nor human studies were done
  • Discontinue triamterene or breastfeeding