Amiloride

What side effects are possible with this medication?

A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.

anorexia appetite changes constipation cough diarrhea dizziness erectile dysfunction (impotence) fatigue gas pain headache muscle cramps nausea and vomiting

signs and symptoms of too much potassium in the blood: confusion irregular heartbeat nervousness numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips shortness of breath or difficulty breathing unusual tiredness or muscle weakness weakness or heaviness in the legs stomach pain or cramps trouble breathing weakness

Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) disease: If you have cardiopulmonary disease you should be closely monitored by your doctor while taking this medication.

Diabetes: If you have diabetes you may also be at increased risk for high blood potassium levels. If you have diabetes, your doctor may monitor your potassium blood levels monitored more often.

High blood potassium: This medication may cause high blood potassium levels especially for seniors, people with diabetes, and people with impaired kidney function. Warning signs or symptoms of high potassium include:

• confusion
• irregular heartbeat
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• weakness or heaviness of the legs

Liver function impairment: If you have severe liver disease you should be closely monitored while taking this medication.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known whether amiloride passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between amiloride and any of the following:

• ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, ramipril)
• angiotensin II receptor antagonists (e.g., losartan, valsartan)
• cyclosporine
• medications that increase potassium levels (such as potassium supplements, spironolactone, triamterene, and salt substitutes containing potassium)
• lithium
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
• tacrolimus

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.