Dyazide

What is Dyazide?

Dyazide is a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene. The thiazide (water pill) Hydrochlorothiazide helps prevent the body from absorbing excessive salt. This can lead to fluid retention. Triamterene, a diuretic that prevents the body from absorbing excessive amounts of salt and potassium, also keeps potassium levels in check. Dyazide, a prescription medication, is used to treat fluid accumulation (edema) as well as hypertension (high blood pressure). Dyazide can be given to patients who have suffered from hypokalemia due to other diuretics.

Warnings

Dyazide should not be used if you have kidney disease, problems with urination, high potassium levels in your blood, or are taking triamterene-like diuretics.Consult with your physician before using potassium supplements, sodium replacement therapies or low-sodium dairy products. Dyazide may raise potassium levels in your blood to dangerously high levels, particularly if you suffer from kidney disease, diabetes, or severe illnesses, as well as if you're an older adult. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: nausea; a slow or abnormal heartbeat; numbness or tingling in your muscles or limbs; or loss or movement of movement.

Dyazide side effects can be increased by drinking alcohol. Avoid eating a lot of salt. This medication can be less effective if you consume too much salt. If you are taking Dyazide, you should not take potassium supplements, sodium substitutes, or low-sodium dairy products unless you have been told to by your doctor. Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise and hot weather. Your doctor can advise on an adequate and safe amount and type of liquid consumption, advising how much and what type. Drinking too much fluids is equally dangerous to drinking less of it!

Before you take this drug

Dyazide should not be used if you have an allergy to triamterene or hydrochlorothiazide, or:

• You have kidney disease, or you are unable to urinate.
• You have hyperkalemia (high potassium levels).
• You are taking a diuretic similar to triamterene, such as amiloride or spironolactone.
• You are taking potassium supplements unless your doctor says otherwise.

Triamterene, a diuretic, can cause dangerously high potassium levels in your blood. It is more common if you suffer from kidney disease, diabetes, or a severe illness. Your doctor can tell you about your personal risk.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that Dyazide will be safe for you:

• Diabetes;
• Cirrhosis, or any other liver disease
• Heart disease is a heart rhythm disorder.
• Gout;
• Glaucoma or cataracts
• An allergy to penicillin or sulfa drugs;
• Kidney stone
• If you're on a diet low in salt,

Dyazide is not known to harm unborn babies. Inform your physician immediately if you are expecting or planning on becoming pregnant. Dyazide should not be used while breastfeeding. Dyazide should not be used by anyone under the age of 18.

How to take Dyazide?

Follow all directions listed on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets that come with it. Read through and comply with any directions issued with your medication; sometimes your physician may alter its dose accordingly. Dyazide can be taken up to once a day. You may require frequent medical tests. Tests can be used to determine the effectiveness of dyazide, even if you do not have any symptoms. Your heart function may require to be checked using an electrocardiograph (also referred to as ECG or EKG). Potassium levels may become compromised during times of extreme illness or injury. If you suspect something serious has arisen that requires medical assistance, such as severe illness or trauma, contact your healthcare provider immediately for treatment and advice. Tell your doctor if you are currently taking this medication. It may be necessary to temporarily stop using this medicine. Even if you are feeling well, continue to use Dyazide if you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is often asymptomatic. Blood pressure medication may be needed for the rest of your life. Store away from moisture, heat and light at room temperature.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.

Details on dosage

Adult dose of Dyazide:
Orally, take hydrochlorothiazide between 25 and 50 mg. Triamterene between 37.5 and 100 mg
Comments:
Patients who become hypokalemic after taking 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide can be switched to hydrochlorothiazide 75 mg and triamterene 50 mg orally. Patients who become hyperkalemic after taking 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide can be switched to hydrochlorothiazide 37.5 mg and triamterene 25 mg.
Patients who cannot risk hypokalemia can be started on hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene orally, once daily.
Uses:
Treatment of hypertension and edema when hydrochlorothiazide is not enough to treat hypokalemia
Initial treatment of hypertension, edema, or both for patients who cannot risk hypokalemia (e.g., patients taking digitalis or having a history of cardiac arrhythmias)
Adult dose of Dyazide:
Orally, take hydrochlorothiazide between 25 and 50 mg. Triamterene between 37.5 and 100 mg
Comments:
Patients who become hypokalemic after taking 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide can be switched to hydrochlorothiazide 75 mg and triamterene 50 mg orally. Patients who become hyperkalemic after taking 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide can be switched to hydrochlorothiazide 37.5 mg and triamterene 25 mg.
Patients who cannot risk hypokalemia can be started on hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene orally, once daily.
Uses:
Treatment of hypertension and edema when hydrochlorothiazide is not enough to treat hypokalemia
Initial treatment of hypertension, edema, or both for patients who cannot risk hypokalemia (e.g., patients taking digitalis or having a history of cardiac arrhythmias)

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect having consumed poison and require immediate medical assistance or dial the National Poison Information Centre on 1-800-222-1222 toll-free for advice or medical attention. Overdose symptoms include nausea, vomiting, weakness, a high fever, flushing or warmth in the face, or muscle spasms.

What should be avoided?

Use potassium supplements, sodium substitutes, or low-sodium dairy products only if your doctor says so. Avoid eating a lot of salt. Dyazide can be less effective if you consume too much salt. Skin cancer is increased by hydrochlorothiazide. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). You may be asked by your doctor to undergo regular skin checks. Drink enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated during exercise or in hot weather. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of fluids to drink. Drinking too much liquid is as dangerous as not drinking enough. Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine will affect you. You may be unable to react properly.

Side effects of Dyazide

If you experience symptoms of an allergic reaction (hives or difficulty breathing) or a severe reaction on your skin (fever, sore eyes, burning throat, pain in the skin, or a red or purple rash with blisters and peeling), seek emergency medical attention.

If you experience:

• Blurred vision, eye pain or seeing halos around lights may all indicate eye issues that require medical treatment.
• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
• Heart rate can be fast, slow, or uneven.
• Signs that you have liver or pancreas issues: loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, and dark urine. Jaundice is a yellowing of your skin or eyes.
• High potassium level: nausea, weakness or fatigue, tingling sensations, slow heartbeats, and loss of mobility;
• Low sodium levels; leg cramps; constipation; increased thirst or urination are symptoms associated with having too little salt in their bodies; these conditions should all be addressed immediately by increasing sodium consumption or other means.
• Chronic Kidney Disease symptoms: insufficient urine output, swelling of feet or ankles and feeling tired or breathless;
• Symptoms similar to lupus: joint or muscle pain, flu-like symptoms, chest discomfort, a rash, or a patchy color on the skin that gets worse in sunlight.
• Other signs of electrolyte balance are thirst, dryness, stomach pains, drowsiness and weakness, rapid heart rate, muscle weakness or pain, feeling restless, or being light-headed.

Side effects of dyazide include:

• Constipation, diarrhea, and stomach pain are all symptoms of constipation.
• Dizziness, headache;
• Blurred vision
• Dry mouth

There may be other side effects. Call your physician if experiencing side effects; alternatively, the FDA can be reached at 1-800-FDA-1088 - for reports regarding adverse events or for information.

Interaction with other drug

Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:

• Any other blood pressure medication;
• Amphotericin B;
• Chlorpropamide;
• Digoxin;
• Laxatives;
• Lithium;
• Methenamine;
• A blood thinner
• Oral diabetes medicine;
• Steroid medications ( prednisone and others) ;
• An ACE inhibitor: benazepril, captopril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, moexipril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril;
• Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These include aspirin (Advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (Indomethacin), meloxicam (Aleve), and celecoxib.

This list is incomplete. There are other drugs that may interact with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide, such as prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all possible drug interactions.