Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (a mil' oh ride)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Amiloride is usually used in combination with other diuretics ('water pills') to treat high blood pressure and heart failure in patients who have low amounts of potassium in their bodies or for whom low potassium levels in the body could be dangerous. Amiloride is in a class of medications called diuretics. It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium.

High blood pressure is a common condition, and when not treated it can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of the body. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.


How should this medicine be used?

Amiloride comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day with food. To help you remember to take amiloride, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take amiloride exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

This medication controls high blood pressure and heart failure but does not cure these conditions. Continue to take amiloride even if you feel well. Do not stop taking amiloride without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking amiloride,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to amiloride, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in amiloride. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
  • tell your doctor if you are taking spironolactone (Aldactone, in Aldactazide), other medications containing triamterene, or potassium supplements or potassium-containing medication supplements. Your doctor will probably tell you not to take amiloride if you are taking one or more of these medications.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril, lisinopril (in Prinzide, in Zestoretic), moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka); angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARB) such as azilsartan (Edarbi, Edarbyclor), candesartan (Atacand, in Atacand HCT), eprosartan (Teveten, in Teveten HCT), irbesartan (Avapro, in Avalide), losartan (Cozaar, in Hyzaar), olmesartan (Benicar, in Azor, Benicar HCT), telmisartan (Micardis, in Micardis HCT), and valsartan (Diovan, in Diovan HCT, Exforge); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); lithium (Lithobid); or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), indomethacin (Indocin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others); or tacrolimus (Astagraf XL, Prograf). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
  • tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take amiloride.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes or liver disease.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking amiloride, call your doctor immediately.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Amiloride may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
  • headache
  • heartburn
  • loss of appetite
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • vomiting
  • gas
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:
  • dry mouth; thirst; numbness and tingling; confusion; muscle weakness, stomach pain, or cramps; fast heartbeat and other signs of dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • chest pain
  • rash
  • itching
  • hives
  • difficulty breathing or swallowing

Amiloride may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Do not freeze. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Acid Sensing Ion Channel Blockers
  • Diuretics
  • Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Sodium Channel Blockers
  • Potassium-Sparing Agents
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Other potassium-sparing agents
Prescribed For use as adjunctive treatment with thiazide diuretics or other kaliuretic-diuretic agents in congestive heart failure or hypertension.
Weight :229.627
Structure Amiloride
Generic Drug Amiloride prescribed For use as adjunctive treatment with thiazide diuretics or other kaliuretic-diuretic agents in congestive heart failure or hypertension.
Formula

C6H8ClN7O

Amiloride has 0 Brands listed


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