Amiloride (By mouth)

Introduction:

Amiloride (a-MIL-oh-ride)

Treats congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, and other conditions such as low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia). This medicine is a diuretic (water pill).

Brand Name(s):

Midamor

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to amiloride, or if you are unable to urinate or have kidney disease or high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia). You should not use this medicine if you are also taking similar diuretics such as triamterene (Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®) or spironolactone (Aldactazide®, Aldactone®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • It is best to take this medicine with food. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
  • This medicine is usually given in combination with other diuretics. Not all diuretics work the same way. Some types of diuretic can cause serious medical problems if you take them with amiloride. Take only the medicines your doctor has prescribed as part of your combination treatment.
  • Never share your medicine with anyone.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), dofetilide (Tikosyn?), lithium, tacrolimus (Prograf®), blood pressure medicine (such as Accupril®, Altace®, Capoten®, Lotensin®, Lotrel®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Univasc®, Vasotec®, Zestril®), or pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, Advil®, Aleve®, Motrin®, Orudis®, Relafen®).
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes or liver disease.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
  • If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Chest pain (may be related to your disease and not a side effect)
  • Confusion, weakness, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
  • Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting
  • Fever, chills, cough, hoarseness
  • Problems urinating, pain in side or lower back
  • Skin rash or itching

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Mild nausea, vomiting, gas, or stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Problems having sex
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