Information About Amiloride Hcl

Common uses
Amiloride Hcl is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to treat congestive heart failure or high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your physician.

Prior to Use
Amiloride Hcl can raise your body's potassium levels. This is more likely to occur in people with kidney problems, diabetes, in elderly patients, or if the patient is severely ill. Potassium levels must be closely monitored in people with any of these problems or illnesses. If not treated, high potassium levels can be fatal. If you develop any of the following symptoms, notify your physician immediately: muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat. Be aware that pre-existing medical conditions, or taking additional medications could interfere with the effectiveness of this one. Let your physician or pharmacist know about any other medications -- prescription or over-the-counter -- that you are using. If you are taking any of the following, do not use Amiloride Hcl: potassium. If you are taking any of the following, your dose or condition may need regular supervision: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or indomethacin), quinidine, cyclosporine, tacrolimus, or medicine for heart conditions (ACE inhibitors). Inform your physician of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. If you have questions or concerns about Amiloride Hcl, be sure to let your physician or pharmacist know.

Instructions for Use
Follow your physician's instructions for taking Amiloride Hcl. Amiloride Hcl may be taken with food if it upsets your stomach. Amiloride Hcl may cause an increase in urine or in frequency of urination. To prevent this from affecting sleep: try not to take any dose later than 6 p.m. Store Amiloride Hcl at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. Should you skip or forget a dose of Amiloride Hcl, begin using it immediately. If it is almost time for your next dose, omit the skipped dose and continue to follow your original dosing schedule. Never take more than one dose at the same time.

Warnings
Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Amiloride Hcl. Using Amiloride Hcl alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Do not use a salt substitute or potassium supplement without checking with your physician. Before you begin taking any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter, consult your pharmacist or physician . Caution should be used in the elderly since they may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Women, it is unknown if Amiloride Hcl is excreted in breast milk. You should not breast-feed if you are using Amiloride Hcl.

Potential Side Effects
Side effects, that may go away during treatment, include nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, headache, or weakness. Consult your physician if they do not go away or if they bring you difficulties. Consult your physician immediately if you experience dry mouth, vomiting, excessive thirst, unusual tiredness, unusual muscle weakness, or slowed heart rate. If you notice any unusual effects, contact your physician, nurse, or pharmacist.

Drug interactions
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job.

In Case of Overdose
Contact a poison control center or visit an emergency room immediately, if you think you have overdosed. Indications of an overdose are nausea, vomiting, weakness, and lightheadedness.

Additional information
Do not let anyone else use Amiloride Hcl. Do not take Amiloride Hcl to treat health conditions other than what it was prescribed for. Store this and all medication away from the reach of children. If using Amiloride Hcl for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.