Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide - Oral

Amiloride and Hydrochlorothiazide are combined in this medicine.

Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide is used on its own or together with other medicines to help keep your blood pressure under control.

This medicine may also be used to treat heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood) and excessive fluid build-up associated with liver disease.

Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.

You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide. Take this medicine early in the day, preferably in the morning. If your doctor has told you to take it more than once a day, take the last dose in the early evening unless your doctor instructs otherwise. This is to prevent you from waking up frequently at night to go to the toilet.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on your condition and your response to the medication.

Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Do not take Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide if you ever had an allergic reaction to Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide, or similar medicines such as sulfonamide-containing medicines.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels in the blood)
• hypercalcaemia (high calcium levels in the blood)
• Addison's disease (a rare disorder where the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones)
• anuria (a condition wherein you are unable to pass urine)
• diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease caused by diabetes)
• severe kidney disease
• severe liver disease

as this medicine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide with medicines used to treat low potassium levels in the blood and certain water pills or medicines for water retention. Please see the section "Can I take this with other medicines?" below for more information.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• diabetes
• heart disease
• lung problems e.g. asthma
• high cholesterol levels
• gout (high uric acid level in the blood)
• problems in the parathyroid glands
• systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
• mild to moderate kidney disease
• mild to moderate liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. parathyroid function test) or an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. blood electrolyte levels, kidney function) may be done while you are being treated with Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.

What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?

Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.

If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.

Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, constipation, loss of appetite, back or leg pain, joint pain, itching, and sweating.

This medicine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• muscle weakness, cramping or numbness; fast or irregular heartbeat
• pain or difficulty in passing urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine
• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• eye pain, blurred or decreased vision
• dry mouth, thirst, severe stomach upset, confusion, drowsiness, mood changes, feeling very tired or weak

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Do not take Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide with the following medicines:

• other water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. spironolactone, triamterene
• potassium supplements or potassium-containing medicines (unless instructed by your doctor)

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. enalapril, methyldopa, losartan
• medicines for diabetes e.g. chlorpropamide, insulin
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, carbamazepine
• cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. colestyramine, colestipol
• anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisone, cortisone
• medicines used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus
• NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin, ibuprofen, celecoxib
• lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
• digoxin (medicine for heart disease)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Amiloride + Hydrochlorothiazide.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol.

Do not take potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.

Avoid taking too much food that is high in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas, or prunes.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.