AMILORIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Midamor

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Diuretic

Uses

Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure. Decreases fluid retention and prevents potassium loss.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid.
Capsule--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, open capsule and take with liquid or food. Instructions to take on empty stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.

When to take:
At the same time each day, preferably in the morning. May interfere with sleep if taken after 6 p.m.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 8 hours late. If more than 8 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Blocks exchange of certain chemicals in the kidney so sodium is excreted. Conserves potassium.

Time lapse before drug works:
2 hours.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Rapid, irregular heartbeat; confusion; shortness of breath; nervousness; extreme weakness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• If patient is unconscious and not breathing, give mouth-to- mouth breathing. If there is no heartbeat, use cardiac massage and mouth-to-mouth breathing (CPR). Don't try to make patient vomit. If you can't get help quickly, take patient to nearest emergency facility.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

Headache, nausea, appetite loss, vomiting, mild diarrhea, constipation, decreased interest in sex.

Infrequent:

• Shortness of breath, fever, chills, unusual tiredness or weakness, confusion.
• Dizziness, bloating, muscle cramps, dry mouth.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to amiloride.
• Your serum potassium level is high.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you plan to become pregnant within medication period.
• If you have diabetes.
• If you have heart disease.
• If you have kidney or liver disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. More likely to exceed safe potassium blood levels.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible.

Breast-feeding:
No problems expected, but consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, kidney function, ECG* and serum electrolytes.

Skin & sunlight:
Increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without doctor's advice until you complete prescribed dose, even though symptoms diminish or disappear.

Others:
Periodic physical checkups and potassium-level tests recommended.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Acebutolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosages may require adjustment.
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible excessive
captopril, enalapril,	potassium in blood.
Amiodarone	Increased risk of heartbeat
	irregularity due to low potassium.
Antihypertensives*	Increased effect of both drugs.
Blood-bank blood	Increased potassium levels.
Calcium supplements*	Increased calcium in blood.
Cyclosporine	Increased potassium levels.
Diuretics, other*	Increased effect of both drugs.
Lithium	Possible lithium toxicity.
Nicardipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
	Dosages may require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Nitrates*	Excessive blood pressure drop.
Potassium	Increased potassium
supplements*	levels.
Sodium bicarbonate	Decreased potassium levels.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased blood pressure drop.
	Avoid.
Low-salt milk.	Possible excess potassium levels.
	Low-salt milk has extra potassium.
Cocaine:	Blood pressure rise. Avoid.
Salt substitutes.	Possible excess potassium levels.
Marijuana:	None expected.
Tobacco:	None expected.