Triamterene (Triarese), a 'water pill,' is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by various conditions, including heart disease. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Triamterene controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take triamterene even if you feel well. Do not stop taking triamterene without talking to your doctor.

Special precautions

Before taking triamterene,

• Plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Triamterene may make your skin sensitive to the sunlight.
• Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking triamterene.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking triamterene, call your doctor immediately.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver disease.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking other drugs, diabetes, especially captopril (Capoten); potassium supplements; and medications for arthritis, or high blood pressure; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); indomethacin (Indocin); enalapril (Vasotec); digoxin (Lanoxin); and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to triamterene, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.

Side effects

Although side effects from triamterene are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• dizziness
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• upset stomach

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• unusual bruising or bleeding
• severe dry mouth
• sore throat
• slow or irregular heartbeat
• fatigue
• difficulty breathing or swallowing
• rash
• muscle weakness or cramps

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly, and blood tests should be done occasionally.