What is Amiloride?

Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.

Amiloride is used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).

Amiloride may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Amiloride?

Do not use this medication if you have:

• kidney disease or are unable to urinate
• high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or
• if you are taking potassium supplements, or another potassium-sparing diuretic such Moduretic, spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide)

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before using amiloride, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• cirrhosis or other liver disease
• a breathing disorder; or
• if you are using another diuretic

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether amiloride passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Amiloride Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Amiloride?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• numbness or tingly feeling
• muscle pain or weakness
• slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat
• feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• dry mouth, increased thirst, tiredness, nausea, vomiting
• shallow breathing
• tremors, confusion; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects may include:

• headache
• mild nausea, loss of appetite
• gas, stomach pain; or
• skin rash

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Amiloride Interactions

What other drugs affect Amiloride?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf)
• tacrolimus (Prograf)
• lithium
• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others; or
• indomethacin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with amiloride. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Amiloride?

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of amiloride.

Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking amiloride.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Amiloride Dosage

How should I take Amiloride?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take amiloride with food.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Amiloride can interfere with the results of a glucose tolerance test. Stop using this medication for at least 3 days before you have this test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using amiloride.

Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not allow the tablets to freeze.

What happens if I overdose on Amiloride?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include dizziness, thirst, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, or fainting.

What happens if I miss a dose of Amiloride?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com