Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene and Cramps: What Users Say

• Kat...
• June 4, 2015

For Edema "I am on Day 3 of this medicine. I dropped 6.2 lbs. of water. I got leg cramps the first night and realized I did not drink enough water and that I needed low-sodium V8 to increase my potassium levels so I don't cramp. My blood pressure is back to normal, and it is great to see my ankles and legs stop swelling. On Day 2 and 3 no problems. Drink plenty of water and drink V8 or eat a banana to up your potassium."

• Anonymous
• March 1, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "On Day 15 of taking 1 tablet of Triamterene HCTZ 37.5-25 mg daily, here are my notes... Gradual reaction to Triamterene-HCTZ... Day 1: February 24 evening: Bad body cramps and aches that gradually started in the legs and then persisted through the entire body. I ended up lying down and staying in bed the rest of the evening; very bad headaches; no fever, temperature 99.0. Day 2: February 25 early evening: Felt better this day but was very sore from the night before. I took medication then noticed an hour after taking the medication that muscle aches came back. That night it was even worse, trembling with muscle aches most of the night, severe headache, and unable to pass bowels; cried in pain; very thirsty and dry mouth. Temperature 99.0. Day 3: February 26 did not take it; started feeling better after about 12 to 14 hours into the next day. Body seems very weak and very itchy. I called the doctor's office to find out if it was OK to stop taking this medication because of reactions; did not receive a phone call back. Day 4: February 27: called the after-hours number at the cardiologist's office around 7:30 pm. Dr. Park returned my call and told me that the medicine probably wasn't the issue and that it sounded like maybe I had some other issues going on, so I should see my primary care physician; did not appreciate his tone and lack of concern. Therefore, I took half of the medication and became ill very quickly this time. This time, it started with severe dizziness and lightheadedness, severe muscle cramps and aches, at times unable to walk or control my limbs; muscle cramps persisted, and my ability to control my arms and limbs came and went; new onset of stomach pain, then finally vomiting while on the toilet trying to pass bowels. I drank grapefruit juice thinking it would counteract the medication; muscle aches, cramps, headache, and stomach pain lasted through the night; pains lasted all night until I fell asleep; pains were subsiding. Day 5: February 28: no meds today, body feels extremely sore, yellowish skin and eyes, leg cramps come and go and are painful but not as bad as the night before; no appetite, ate very little. Day 6: February 29: no meds today, feel a lot better although still feel very weak, soreness in my right arm near the elbow, lightheadedness twice during the day within three hours of each onset, eating an apple seemed to help."

• fai...
• January 7, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "Drink a lot of water. I've been on triamterene/HCTZ for ten plus years and wasn't really explained in detail how serious it would be if I didn't keep hydrated. At one point, they increased my milligrams and not my potassium amount, and now my kidneys are affected. I'm very dehydrated. I have leg cramps that are painful, and I feel like this is it for me."

• Anonymous
• December 16, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "Have been taking this for about 2 months now. The first few weeks, I was tired and kept getting back and leg cramps at night. My feet are cold a lot now, but my blood pressure is great, I'm no longer tired, and I haven't had any cramps. It definitely took a few weeks to get used to, but it's worth it now."

• Anonymous
• September 30, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "This medicine was added because atenolol alone was not controlling the borderline high blood pressure. I didn't have much side effects at first, but now I can't walk a block without getting very painful leg cramps. My doctor told me to quit taking it until he can run blood tests. I have been drinking lots of water, which was supposed to help with the cramping, but has not relieved it."

• JCa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 17, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been on this for about 2 weeks, and it's done a good job of lowering my BP by about 10 points, which I'm very happy with. I have noticed a little bit of cramping, and after reading the rest of the reviews, I'm off to buy some Gatorade right now. Will update if things go south for me. Thanks, everyone, for sharing your experiences!"

• Dwo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 4, 2019

"I lost all hearing in one ear and most of my vestibular in the same ear. Doctors prescribed Dyazide for probable Meniere's disease. I have been on it for 2 months, and I am on one bad roller coaster ride with it. If I take a full pill, it absolutely kills me-cramps, gout, foggy head, irritable, no energy (even walking is difficult). I have been adjusting the meds as I can, but it is very difficult to dial in. At one point, 1/2 pill every day was working-but still massive side effects. I am currently experimenting with 1/4 pill every day or every other day. It is very difficult, and there appears to be a rebound effect when adjusting down the medicine."

• Mar...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 24, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on triamterene 37.5-25 hydrochlorothiazide for over 35 years. Lately, I noticed I need to watch my diet more closely and watch my salt intake. The doctor has been trying to change my medication with no success. I have had no major side effects. I have to make sure to stay hydrated and eat some bananas and other food to keep potassium in balance to avoid leg cramps."

• Jco...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 7, 2023

For Edema "I had used this drug years ago for high blood pressure. When I went to my doctor, he prescribed this medication for moderately high blood pressure. I filled the prescription but did not take it. Then, a week ago, I had swelling of my left ankle and was not able to get the swelling down. I asked my doctor if I could just take half of my low-dose Triamterene HTZ to see if the swelling goes down. It did go down by the third day. I have only been on this for 5 days. Have a slight headache in the temple area, constipation, cramping at night in my foot and toes, nausea, and gas at times. Not sure if it is worth staying on or not. I did read that side effects might subside after a few weeks."

• Anonymous
• April 19, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I just started taking it, and my leg cramps on the third night were terrible. I am glad to see others said this went away eventually."