Moduretic Side Effects
Generic name: amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 27, 2023.
Note: This document contains side effect information about amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Moduretic.
Applies to amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide: oral tablet.
Warning
Oral route (Tablet)
May cause hyperkalemia, which is potentially fatal if uncorrected. The risk is higher in patients with renal impairment or diabetes mellitus. Monitor serum potassium levels carefully in any patient receiving therapy..
Serious side effects of Moduretic
Along with its needed effects, amiloride/hydrochlorothiazide 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 amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide:
More common
- Confusion
- difficulty breathing
- irregular heartbeat
- nausea or vomiting
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- stomach pain
- trouble breathing
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
Less common
- Dizziness
- fainting
- fast or slow heartbeat
- labored breathing
- tightness in the chest
Rare
- Ankle, knee, or great toe joint pain
- arm, back, or jaw pain
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloody or black, tarry stools
- bloody urine
- burning while urinating
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain, discomfort, or heaviness
- chills
- cloudy urine
- cold sweats
- coma
- constipation
- cough
- cracks in the skin
- decreased awareness or responsiveness
- decreased frequency or amount of urine
- diarrhea
- difficult or painful urination
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
- dry mouth
- fever
- headache
- increase in heart rate
- increased blood pressure
- increased thirst
- itching
- joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
- lightheadedness
- loss of appetite
- loss of heat from the body
- lower back or side pain
- muscle pain or cramps
- pounding heartbeat or pulse
- rapid breathing
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red, swollen skin
- scaly skin
- seizures
- severe sleepiness
- severe stomach pain
- sore throat
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sunken eyes
- sweating
- swelling of the face, ankles, hands, fingers, or lower legs
- trouble breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
- weight gain
- wrinkled skin
Incidence not known
- Persistent non-healing sore
- pink growth
- reddish patch or irritated area
- shiny bump
- white, yellow or scar-like area
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide:
Symptoms of overdose
- Drowsiness
- irritability
- mood changes
- pain or weakness in the hands or feet
- trembling
- weak pulse
Other side effects of Moduretic
Some side effects of amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide 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:
More common
- Rash
- weight loss
Less common
- Leg ache
Rare
- Bad taste
- bloated, full feeling
- blurred or loss of vision
- changes in appetite
- decreased interest in sexual intercourse
- discouragement
- disturbed color perception
- double vision
- excess air or gas in the stomach or intestines
- feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
- feeling of warmth
- feeling sad or empty
- general feeling of discomfort or illness
- hair loss or thinning of hair
- hiccups
- inability to have or keep an erection
- increased sweating
- increased urge to urinate during the night
- indigestion
- loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
- loss of bladder control
- loss of interest or pleasure
- muscle spasm
- night blindness
- overbright appearance of lights
- passing of gas
- redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally upper chest
- seeing halos around lights
- sensation of spinning
- sleepiness
- sleeplessness
- stomach fullness or discomfort
- stuffy nose
- swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
- trouble concentrating
- trouble sleeping
- tunnel vision
- unable to sleep
- waking to urinate at night
For Healthcare Professionals
Applies to amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide: oral tablet.
General
The most common adverse reactions were headache, weakness, nausea/anorexia, dizziness, and rash.[Ref]
Gastrointestinal
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea/anorexia, diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain, abdominal pain
Frequency not reported: Constipation, gastrointestinal bleeding, gastrointestinal disturbance, abdominal fullness, vomiting, flatulence
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Activation of probable preexisting peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, heartburn, dry mouth
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, sialadenitis, cramping, gastric irritation[Ref]
Dermatologic
Common (1% to 10%): Rash, pruritus
Frequency not reported: Diaphoresis, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis, alopecia
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Alopecia, itching, diaphoresis
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Cutaneous vasculitis, photosensitivity, urticaria, purpura, toxic epidermal necrolysis[Ref]
Nervous system
Common (1% to 10%): Headache, dizziness
Frequency not reported: Syncope, paresthesia/numbness, vertigo, stupor, sleepiness, bad taste
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Encephalopathy, tremors, tinnitus, somnolence[Ref]
Other
Common (1% to 10%): Weakness, fatigue/tiredness
Frequency not reported: Malaise, chest pain, digitalis toxicity, gynecomastia
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Fatigability
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Fever[Ref]
Metabolic
Common (1% to 10%): Serum potassium greater than 5.5 mEq/L
Frequency not reported: Appetite changes, anorexia, thirst, gout, dehydration, symptomatic hyponatremia, electrolyte imbalance, hyponatremia
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Electrolyte imbalance, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia, hypokalemia[Ref]
Cardiovascular
Common (1% to 10%): Arrhythmia
Frequency not reported: Tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, angina pectoris, flushing
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Palpitation, partial heart block increased to complete heart block
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Vasculitis[Ref]
Musculoskeletal
Common (1% to 10%): Leg ache
Frequency not reported: Back pain, muscle cramps/spasm, joint pain
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Painful extremities, neck/shoulder ache[Ref]
Respiratory
Common (1% to 10%): Dyspnea
Frequency not reported: Hiccups, nasal congestion
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Shortness of breath, cough
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Respiratory distress, pneumonitis, pulmonary edema[Ref]
Genitourinary
Frequency not reported: Impotence, nocturia, dysuria, incontinence
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Bladder spasm, polyuria, urinary frequency
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Glycosuria[Ref]
Psychiatric
Frequency not reported: Insomnia, nervousness, depression, mental confusion
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Libido decreased
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Restlessness[Ref]
Renal
Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction, renal failure
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Interstitial nephritis[Ref]
Ocular
Frequency not reported: Visual disturbance
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Intraocular pressure increased
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Transient blurred vision, xanthopsia[Ref]
Immunologic
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reaction[Ref]
Hematologic
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, neutropenia
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia[Ref]
Hepatic
Amiloride:
Frequency not reported: Abnormal liver function, jaundice
Hydrochlorothiazide:
Frequency not reported: Intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice[Ref]
More about Moduretic (amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide)
- Check interactions
- Compare alternatives
- Dosage information
- During pregnancy
- Drug class: potassium sparing diuretics with thiazides
Patient resources
Other brands
Professional resources
Related treatment guides
References
1. Product Information. Moduretic (amiloride-hydrochlorothiazide). Merck & Co., Inc. 2001;PROD.
2. Cerner Multum, Inc. UK Summary of Product Characteristics.
3. Cerner Multum, Inc. Australian Product Information.
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.
