Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene and Dizziness: What Users Say

• 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."

• Anonymous
• November 15, 2010

Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene for High Blood Pressure "I had a very bad reaction to Dyazide for high blood pressure. After 3 days, I was overwhelmed by disorientation, heart palpitations, muscle cramps in my feet and legs, dizziness, and nausea. Although I was drinking a great deal of water, I was found to be severely dehydrated with electrolyte imbalance."

• Anonymous
• September 10, 2009

Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene for High Blood Pressure "I am 39 years old, my doctor prescribed this medicine to help lower my blood pressure. From the first day, it made me very nauseous to the point of vomiting. It also made me feel dizzy, lightheaded, and short of breath. I stopped taking it after 4 days and felt better. My doctor is switching me to an ACE inhibitor instead... hoping it will be better than this one."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2016

For Edema "I have been on this medication for a few months now, for the second time. Both times I have developed severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. It takes off some water weight, but I'm still fairly swollen, and this time my blood pressure has increased. Just learned that it can affect blood sugar levels. I don't think I will be taking this medication again."

• Dar...
• December 14, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "So far, so good, been taking it three days now. Been thirstier than usual, drinking lots of water. I've started exercising regularly daily. Some slight headaches, stomach cramps my second day on it. Some effect on sex moods, but not that bad. More energy for me, no drowsiness, some dizziness, but not so much where it's noticed. B/P good, feel laid back and calm."

• Bas...
• September 1, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I am in my early 40s and pretty healthy. I was about 40 lbs overweight, and before beginning medication, I lost 20 lbs. My blood pressure didn't go down, averaging around 139/88. I never had high blood pressure until the past 6 months. When I went to the doctor, he put me on Triamterene-Hydrochlorothiazide, and within 24 hours, I got the worst nausea/dizziness. I gave it a few more days to see if it would subside, and when it didn't after 5 days, I had to call the doctor. Although the side effects were unbearable, I did notice an instant drop in my blood pressure to an average of 117/75. I also noticed another few lbs. drop off, most likely due to the release of the water in my system. I ranked a 3 due to the severe side effects."

• JLH...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 17, 2022

For Edema "Been taking Tri/HCTZ only half a tab of 37.5/25 for years to help with hypertension. Take Lisinopril for that also. If I take more than half a tab, get pretty 'dizzy,' anxious, and confused. Does help with the edema, but not quite enough with that low of a dose."

• Mim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 25, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "Was on medicine for 7 days. First 4 days were fine. Last 3 days took a turn for the worse. Felt dizzy, heart palpitations, and severe nausea. I went to the ER. The doctor told me the medicine was too hard for my body, electrolytes were thrown off, and it started to affect my kidney. I had to have 2 liters of fluid, and a potassium pill was given."

• Yav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 12, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 75-year-old male. Two months ago, my doctor added Triamterene-HCTZ 37.5-25 mg to my regular BP medicine, Amlodipine Besylate 5 mg, that I have been taking for the last two years. I now take 1/2 tablet of the former and one tablet of the latter a day. The blood pressure is now reduced to 130/75 from 150/90. The side effects started to show after a month of Triamterene-HCTZ: terrible cough, pain in my lower right side going to my testicles, dizziness, and hot flashes. I will ask my doctor to prescribe another BP medicine. I tried Lisinopril and Losartan in the past with an unbearable cough as a side effect."