Triamterene: Uses, Interactions and Safety
Uses
Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic. The reviewed US single-ingredient capsule is used for oedema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome. The Turkish source describes a fixed combination with hydrochlorothiazide, which has additional indications and risks; its instructions cannot be substituted for the single-ingredient capsule.
Administration
This summary concerns oral capsules. Take the prescribed formulation as directed. The reviewed capsule is taken after meals. Changes to other diuretics, potassium supplements and salt substitutes need prescriber review. A normal potassium result today does not remove the need for later checks.
Safety
High potassium can be fatal and may initially cause no symptoms. Testing is particularly important when starting treatment, changing medicines or developing an illness that affects kidney function. Seek urgent help for severe weakness, fainting or a slow or irregular heartbeat. Kidney disease and pre-existing high potassium are major restrictions. Do not combine potassium-sparing diuretics yourself.
Interactions
Other potassium-sparing diuretics and finerenone should not be combined with triamterene. ACE inhibitors and ARBs increase potassium risk. Lithium may accumulate. Acute kidney failure has been reported with indomethacin; other systemic NSAIDs also require caution.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Pregnancy requires individual assessment for the foreign single-ingredient product. The Turkish fixed combination contraindicates pregnancy and breastfeeding. For the reviewed single-ingredient US capsule, breastfeeding should stop if treatment is essential.
Adverse effects
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness and dizziness are reported; kidney stones and blood abnormalities can occur. The single-ingredient label characterises adverse effects as uncommon/rare, so these should not all be described as common.
Sources
Additional verified references
The linked Turkish profile contains the medicine record and its documented interaction list.