Triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide is really an oral diuretic (water pill) which is used for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) and edema (water accumulation). It is a blend of two distinct diuretics. 

 The kidneys handle the amount of sodium and water within the body. Generally, blood circulates throughout the kidneys where a lot of the water, sodium along with other small molecules are filtered out of your blood and in the tubules of the kidney. Once inside the tubules, much of the water and sodium are reabsorbed back into the blood. The water and sodium that isn't reabsorbed goes by on from the tubules and turns into urine that is eradicated from your body. Diuretics modify the reabsorption of sodium and water from your tubules and so, the quantity of sodium and water retained or eliminated by the body. In addition to controlling sodium, the kidney also regulates the volume of potassium which is stored or removed from within the body. 

  

 Diuretics eradicate salt (sodium) and water from the body. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that can be used alone for treating high blood pressure and edema. It functions by blocking sodium and water reabsorption inside the kidneys, thus decreasing sodium and water in the body. (Whereas it is obvious how hydrochlorothiazide eliminates water from the body, its mechanism of action in reducing high blood pressure isn't well understood.) To compensate for the elevated amount of sodium and water inside the tubules that will be lost as urine, the kidney efforts to reabsorb more sodium and water. It does this by eliminating potassium from the blood and putting it into the tubules in substitution for sodium (and water) in the tubules. Consequently, blood potassium levels fall. Triamterene is a diuretic that puts a stop to reabsorption of sodium in exchange for potassium. Thus, it cuts down on sodium and water in the body but also prevents the depletion of potassium. Because of this, triamterene is known as potassium sparing diuretic. By pairing hydrochlorothiazide with triamterene, sodium and water are removed from the body without worrying about loss of potassium. If you want to know more about this, check out Triamterene

 Triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide can be used for the treatment of hypertension and edema. 

 The recommended dose is 1-2 tablets or capsules daily. The most dose is 75/50 mg daily. Similar to other diuretics, it must be consumed in the morning in order to avoid excessive trips to the toilet at night. 

 Triamterene increases potassium levels in your body. Consequently, combining triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide with ACE inhibitors [for example, enalapril (Vasotec)], angiotensin receptor blockers [for example, losartan (Cozaar)], aliskiren (Tekturna), eplerenone (Inspra), potassium health supplements or other drugs which also increase blood potassium can result in dangerous potassium levels in your body. 

 Salt substitutes (for instance, Mrs Dash) contain potassium and may even lead to extreme potassium levels in your body if combined with triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide.  For more info, visit this webpage



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