Drug Information
Side Effects > Amiloride

Amiloride Side Effects

Brand Names: Midamor

Please note - some side effects for Amiloride may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).


Side Effects of Amiloride - for the Consumer

Amiloride

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Amiloride:

Diarrhea; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Amiloride:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dry mouth; excessive thirst; slowed heart rate; unusual muscle weakness; unusual tiredness; vomiting.

Amiloride/Hydrochlorothiazide

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Amiloride/Hydrochlorothiazide:

Changes in blood sugar; constipation; dizziness; fatigue; headache; inflammation of a salivary gland; loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; stomach pain; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Amiloride/Hydrochlorothiazide:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); dry mouth; excessive thirst; impotence; leg or muscle cramps; mental confusion; rapid, weak, or irregular heartbeat; stomach pain; urination problems; vomiting; yellowing of skin or eyes.

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Amiloride Side Effects - for the Professional

Amiloride

Amiloride HCl is usually well tolerated and, except for hyperkalemia (serum potassium levels greater than 5.5 mEq per liter — see WARNINGS), significant adverse effects have been reported infrequently. Minor adverse reactions were reported relatively frequently (about 20%) but the relationship of many of the reports to Amiloride HCl is uncertain and the overall frequency was similar in hydrochlorothiazide treated groups. Nausea/anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, and mild skin rash have been reported and probably are related to Amiloride. Other adverse experiences that have been reported with Amiloride are generally those known to be associated with diuresis, or with the underlying disease being treated.

The adverse reactions for Amiloride HCl listed in the following table have been arranged into two groups: (1) incidence greater than one percent; and (2) incidence one percent or less. The incidence for group (1) was determined from clinical studies conducted in the United States (837 patients treated with Amiloride HCl). The adverse effects listed in group (2) include reports from the same clinical studies and voluntary reports since marketing. The probability of a causal relationship exists between Amiloride HCl and these adverse reactions, some of which have been reported only rarely.

Incidence >1% Incidence ≤1%
*
  Reactions occurring in 3% to 8% of patients treated with Amiloride HCl. (Those reactions occurring in less than 3% of the patients are unmarked.)
See WARNINGS.
Body as a Whole
  Headache*
  Weakness
  Fatigability
Back pain
Chest pain
Neck/shoulder ache
Pain, extremities
Cardiovascular
  None Angina pectoris
Orthostatic hypotension
Arrhythmia
Palpitation
Digestive
  Nausea/anorexia*
  Diarrhea*
  Vomiting*
  Abdominal pain
  Gas pain
  Appetite changes
  Constipation
Jaundice
GI bleeding
Abdominal fullness
GI disturbance
Thirst
Heartburn
Flatulence
Dyspepsia
Metabolic
  Elevated serum potassium levels
(>5.5 mEq per liter)
None
Skin
  None Skin rash
Itching
Dryness of mouth
Pruritus
Alopecia
Musculoskeletal
  Muscle cramps Joint pain
Leg ache
Nervous
  Dizziness
  Encephalopathy
Paresthesia
Tremors
Vertigo
Psychiatric
  None Nervousness
Mental confusion
Insomnia
Decreased libido
Depression
Somnolence
Respiratory
  Cough
  Dyspnea
Shortness of breath
Special Senses
  None Visual disturbances
Nasal congestion
Tinnitus
Increased intraocular pressure
Urogenital
  Impotence Polyuria
Dysuria
Urinary frequency
Bladder spasms
Gynecomastia

Causal Relationship Unknown

Other reactions have been reported but occurred under circumstances where a causal relationship could not be established. However, in these rarely reported events, that possibility cannot be excluded. Therefore, these observations are listed to serve as alerting information to physicians.

Activation of probable pre-existing peptic ulcer

Aplastic anemia

Neutropenia

Abnormal liver function

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Side Effects by Body System

Metabolic

Cases of severe hyponatremia have been reported during hydrochlorothiazide-amiloride therapy. In 3 cases, the patients subsequently did well with hydrochlorothiazide and potassium supplementation, suggesting a significant role for amiloride in the development of their hyponatremia.

Significantly elevated serum uric acid, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels have been associated with combination hydrochlorothiazide-amiloride therapy. These metabolic abnormalities may not be due to amiloride since they are reported during hydrochlorothiazide monotherapy.

Amiloride is known to cause significant elevations in serum aldosterone, renin, and angiotensin II levels.

Metabolic side effects are the most common. Amiloride may cause hyperkalemia in up to 10% of patients, although the risk is decreased to about 1% to 2% when thiazide or loop diuretics are coadministered. Patients with diabetes or who are on other potassium-sparing therapy, ACE inhibitors, or potassium supplementation are predisposed to amiloride-induced hyperkalemia.

Renal

Renal side effects including renal insufficiency is unusual after amiloride monotherapy because it is only a weak diuretic.

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal complaints of diarrhea, nausea, constipation, anorexia, and general abdominal pain occur less than 5% of patients.

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects occur in less than 3% of patients, and include headache, weakness, and fatigue. Encephalopathy may be induced by amiloride-associated metabolic changes in some patients with severe liver disease.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects are mainly limited to the increased risk of hyperkalemia-induced arrhythmias in patients at risk for arrhythmias. Angina pectoris, arrhythmias, and orthostatic hypotension are reported in less than 1% of patients.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary problems include rare complaints of impotence. Polyuria and urinary frequency are reported in less than 1% of patients.

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More resources:

Cerner Multum amiloride

MedFacts Amiloride

Micromedex Amiloride - Includes detailed dosage instructions.

FDA Midamor

FDA Amiloride

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.


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