Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 12, 2024.

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene:

Incidence not known

• Agitation
• back or leg pains
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blisters, hives, itching, skin rash
• bloating
• blood in the urine or stools
• blue lips and fingernails
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain or tightness
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cloudy urine
• cold sweats
• coma
• confusion
• constipation
• cough or hoarseness
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• dark urine
• decreased urine output
• depression
• difficult, fast, or noisy breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• fever with or without chills
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• general body swelling
• general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness
• greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine
• headache
• hostility
• incoherent speech
• increased hunger
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• indigestion
• irritability
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• lethargy
• loss of appetite
• loss of consciousness
• lower back or side pain
• metallic taste
• mood changes
• muscle pain, cramps, weakness, or twitching
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• nosebleeds
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pain in the groin or genitals
• painful or difficult urination
• pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale skin
• persistent non-healing sore
• pink growth
• pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• rapid weight gain
• reddish patch or irritated area
• seizures
• sharp back pain just below the ribs
• shiny bump
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
• stomachache
• stupor
• sugar in the urine
• swelling of the face, ankles, hands, feet, or lower legs
• swollen or painful glands
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• trouble breathing
• unexplained weight loss
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• weak pulse
• weakness or heaviness of the legs
• white, yellow or waxy scar-like area
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene:

Symptoms of overdose

• Face is warm or hot to touch
• frequent urination
• increased volume of pale, dilute urine
• loss of strength or energy
• pain or weakness in the hands or feet
• redness to face
• reflexes are unusually strong
• trembling

Other side effects

Some side effects of hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• inability to have or keep an erection
• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• redness or other discoloration of the skin
• sensation of spinning
• severe sunburn
• welts

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene: oral capsule, oral tablet.

Metabolic

Frequency not reported: Diabetes mellitus, hyperkalemia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, acidosis, hypochloremia, thirst, minor serum electrolyte changes, marked fluctuations in serum potassium levels^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, dry mouth, sialadenitis^[Ref]

Renal

Frequency not reported: Acute renal failure, interstitial nephritis, renal stones composed primarily of triamterene, BUN elevated, serum creatinine elevated^[Ref]

There is no evidence that stone formation is increased in patients taking triamterene containing drugs.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Frequency not reported: Rash, urticaria, photosensitivity, purpura^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Frequency not reported: Arrhythmias, postural hypotension, undesirable decrease in blood pressure^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Frequency not reported: Glycosuria, abnormal urinary sediment, impotence^[Ref]

Hematologic

Frequency not reported: Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, megaloblastic anemia

Triamterene:

Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenic purpura, megaloblastic anemia^[Ref]

Hepatic

Frequency not reported: Jaundice, liver enzyme abnormalities^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Frequency not reported: Muscle cramps, systemic lupus erythematosus^[Ref]

Nervous system

Frequency not reported: Dizziness, headache^[Ref]

Other

Frequency not reported: Weakness, fatigue^[Ref]

Immunologic

Frequency not reported: Anaphylaxis^[Ref]

Further information

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

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

Medical Disclaimer