Take Dyrenium exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.
The Dyrenium dose your doctor recommends will be based on:
- the condition being treated
- other medical conditions you have
- other medications you are taking
- how you respond to this medication
- body weight (children)
The recommended starting Dyrenium dose is 100 mg taken twice daily, after meals. The maximum dose is 300 mg per day.
If you take too much Dyrenium call your doctor or local Poison Conrol Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.
- Store at room temperature between 15° and 30°C (59° and 86°F).
- Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.
Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Dyrenium, salt substitutes containing potassium should be avoided.
Warnings
Abnormal elevation of serum potassium levels (greater than or equal to 5.5 mEq/liter) can occur with all potassium-sparing agents, including Dyrenium. Hyperkalemia is more likely to occur in patients with renal impairment and diabetes (even without evidence of renal impairment), and in the elderly or severely ill. Since uncorrected hyperkalemia may be fatal, serum potassium levels must be monitored at frequent intervals especially in patients receiving Dyrenium, when dosages are changed or with any illness that may influence renal function.
Dyrenium (generic: triamterene) is a prescription medication used to treat fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure and other conditions. Dyrenium belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics (“water pills”). Specifically, it is a “potassium-sparing” diuretic which means that it works by helping the body get rid of excess fluid by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood, while still keeping potassium in the body.
Dyrenium comes in capsule form and is taken twice daily, after meals.
Common side effects of Dyrenium include headache, diarrhea, and nausea. This medication can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.
Dyrenium is a prescription medication used to treat fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disease, and other conditions.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Dyrenium is available in 50 mg and 100 mg capsules.
Active ingredient: triamterene
Inactive ingredients: D&C Red No. 33, FD&C Yellow No. 6, gelatin, lactose, magnesium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide
- Take Dyrenium exactly as prescribed.
- This medication comes in capsule form and is usually taken twice daily.
- To avoid stomach upset Dyrenium is best taken after meals.
- Because Dyrenium increases urination, it is best taken in the morning to avoid having to get up in the night to urinate. If you take it more than once a day, take your last dose by late afternoon.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.
Before taking Dyrenium, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:
- have liver disease
- have kidney disease
- have gout
- have diabetes
- have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
- have electrolyte imbalances
- have had kidney stones
- are allergic to any medications including sulfa drugs
- are pregnant or breastfeeding
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories – A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.
Dyrenium falls into category C. In animals studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in humans with Dyrenium, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.
Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:
- ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace) and others
- angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as azilsartan (Edarbi), candesartan (Atacand), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar), telmisartan (Micardis) and valsartan (Diovan)
- amiloride (Midamor)
- medications for high blood pressure
- medications for diabetes
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve), and others
- lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
- potassium products including potassium chloride (K-Dur, Klor-Con, Micro-K), potassium citrate (Urocit-K, Polycitra-K), potassium gluconate, potassium phosphate (Neutra-Phos-K, K-Phos)
- salt substitutes that contain potassium
- digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin)
- spironolactone (Aldactone)
This is not a complete list of Dyrenium drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Serious side effects can occur including:
- electrolyte imbalance. This medication may affect electrolytes including sodium and potassium. Your doctor will check these levels using a blood test. Warning signs of electrolyte imbalance include:
- dry mouth
- thirst
- weakness
- lack of energy
- drowsiness
- restlessness
- muscle pains or cramps
- muscle fatigue
- low blood pressure
- decreased urination
- fast heart rate
- nausea and vomiting
- hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels) has been reported with the use of all “potassium-sparing” diuretics, including Dyrenium. Do not use potassium-containing salt substitutes as this can increase the risk of high potassium levels.
- sensitivity reactions. Patients with a history of asthma or allergy may experience sensitivity reactions.
- high blood glucose “sugar” concentrations in people with diabetes
- systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus) or worsening of lupus
- worsening of gout
- kidney stones
This medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.
Do not take Dyrenium if you:
- are allergic to triamterene or any other ingredient of Dyrenium
- have severe kidney disease
- have high potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
- are taking spironolactone (Aldactone) or amiloride (Midamor), or other formulations containing triamterene
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
It is not known if Dyrenium crosses into human milk, although Dyrenium is passed through breast milk in animals. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Dyrenium.
Serious side effects may occur. See “Drug Precautions” section.
Common side effects include:
- vomiting
- dizziness
- headache
- nausea
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- fatigue
- weakness
- rash
- sun sensitivity
This is not a complete list of Dyrenium side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088