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,

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to triamterene, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking other drugs, especially captopril (Capoten); digoxin (Lanoxin); enalapril (Vasotec); indomethacin (Indocin); lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); and medications for arthritis, diabetes, or high blood pressure; potassium supplements; and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney or liver disease.
• 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.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking triamterene.
• 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.
• Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• 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.

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:

• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• dizziness

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

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

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