Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide
Indications
Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone. It is also used for patients who need a thiazide diuretic and in whom the development of hypokalemia cannot be risked. It can be given alone or as an adjunct to other antihypertensive drugs, such as betablockers. Because Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the effect of these agents, dosage adjustments may be necessary. G-Thiazide T is indicated for the same uses. That means hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone, and patients who require a thiazide diuretic and in whom the development of hypokalemia cannot be risked. It can be used alone or as an adjunct to other antihypertensive drugs, such as betablockers. Since it may increase the effect of these agents, dosage adjustments may be necessary. This fixed combination drug is not indicated for the initial therapy of edema or hypertension, except in people in whom the development of hypokalemia cannot be risked.
⚠️ Always consult a registered physician before taking any medicine.
Pharmacology
Triamterene works directly on the distal renal tubule, where it blocks the exchange of Na for K and hydrogen. Hydrochlorothiazide cuts the reabsorption of electrolytes from the renal tubules, so more Na and Cl ions are passed out in the urine, and water goes with them.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. Thiazides act on the tubular mechanisms that reabsorb electrolytes, and they directly raise the excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. The diuretic action also has indirect effects. Plasma volume falls, and this brings increased plasma renin activity, increased aldosterone secretion, greater potassium loss in the urine and a drop in serum potassium. Angiotensin II mediates the renin-aldosterone link, so giving an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor together with these diuretics tends to reverse the potassium loss.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Giving diuretics such as Triamterene + Hydrochlorothiazide to an otherwise healthy pregnant woman as a routine is not appropriate. It puts both the mother and the baby at risk for no good reason. Diuretics don't prevent toxemia of pregnancy, and there is no satisfactory evidence that they help once toxemia has developed.
Swelling (edema) in pregnancy can come from a disease process, or it can be a normal result of the body changes and the physical pressure of pregnancy. When the swelling is due to a pathological cause, diuretics are indicated in pregnancy, just as they would be in a woman who is not pregnant.
⚠️ Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Dosage Reference
⚠️ Reference ranges from official sources only. Consult your doctor for personalized dosing.
Side Effects & Interactions
Side Effects
No side-effect data recorded yet.