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Dyazide

Generic name: hydrochlorothiazide and triamtereneHYE-dro-klor-oh-THY-a-zide-and-trye-AM-ter-een ]
Drug class: Potassium sparing diuretics with thiazides

Medically reviewed by Melisa Puckey, BPharm. Last updated on Aug 15, 2023.

What is Dyazide?

Dyazide contains a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic that also prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.

Dyazide is a prescription medicine used to treat fluid retention (edema) and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Dyazide is usually given to people in whom other diuretics have caused hypokalemia (low potassium levels in your blood).

Warnings

You should not use Dyazide if have kidney disease, urination problems, high levels of potassium in your blood, or if you are taking other diuretics similar to triamterene. Do not use potassium supplements, salt substitutes, or low-sodium milk unless your doctor has told you to.

Dyazide can raise your blood potassium to dangerous levels, especially if you have kidney disease, diabetes, severe illness, or if you are an older adult. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of high potassium: nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, or loss of movement in any part of your body.

Drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure and may increase certain side effects of Dyazide.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.

Do not use potassium supplements, salt substitutes, or low-sodium milk while you are taking Dyazide, unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use Dyazide if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or triamterene, or if:

Diuretics such as triamterene can raise your blood potassium to dangerous levels. This is more likely to occur if you have kidney disease, diabetes, severe illness, or if you are an older adult. Ask your doctor about your individual risk.

To make sure Dyazide is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

It is not known whether Dyazide will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

You should not breastfeed while using Dyazide.

Dyazide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

How should I take Dyazide?

Take Dyazide exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.

Dyazide is usually taken once per day.

You may need frequent medical tests. Even if you have no symptoms, tests can help your doctor determine if Dyazide is effective.

Your heart function may also need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG).

Severe illness can affect your potassium levels. Call your doctor if you have a serious illness, injury, or medical emergency.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using Dyazide even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Dyazide for Edema:

Hydrochlorothiazide 25 to 50 mg-Triamterene 37.5 to 100 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-Patients who become hypokalemic on 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide may be transferred directly to hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg-triamterene 75 mg orally once a day. Patients who become hypokalemic on 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide may be transferred directly to hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-triamterene 37.5 mg orally once a day.
-Patients in whom hypokalemia cannot be risked may be initiated on hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-triamterene 37.5 mg orally once a day.

Uses:
-Treatment of hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone.
-Initial therapy of hypertension or edema for patients in whom hypokalemia cannot be risked (e.g., patients on concomitant digitalis preparations or with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, etc.).

Usual Adult Dose of Dyazide for Hypertension:

Hydrochlorothiazide 25 to 50 mg-Triamterene 37.5 to 100 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-Patients who become hypokalemic on 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide may be transferred directly to hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg-triamterene 75 mg orally once a day. Patients who become hypokalemic on 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide may be transferred directly to hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-triamterene 37.5 mg orally once a day.
-Patients in whom hypokalemia cannot be risked may be initiated on hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg-triamterene 37.5 mg orally once a day.

Uses:
-Treatment of hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone.
-Initial therapy of hypertension or edema for patients in whom hypokalemia cannot be risked (e.g., patients on concomitant digitalis preparations or with a history of cardiac arrhythmias, etc.).

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include increased urination, nausea, vomiting, weakness, fever, warmth or flushing in your face, or muscle spasms.

What should I avoid while taking Dyazide?

Do not use potassium supplements, salt substitutes, or low-sodium milk unless your doctor has told you to.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make Dyazide less effective.

Hydrochlorothiazide may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Your doctor may want you to have skin examinations on a regular basis.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired.

Dyazide side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Dyazide (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

Common Dyazide side effects may include:

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs can affect Dyazide?

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

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Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Dyazide only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.