Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene and Headaches: What Users Say

• duh...
• April 10, 2010

Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene for High Blood Pressure "I had tried numerous blood pressure medications. Almost all affected my sexual performance negatively, and I also experienced headaches in the morning. ALL EXCEPT THIS MEDICATION! This was without a doubt the best I had used to date. Please comment if you have tried. I would like to hear from others who have."

• 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."

• 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."

• Val...
• May 3, 2015

For Edema "This drug almost killed me. I lost nearly 15 lbs. in 3 days. No, I wasn't exercising, and yes, most people would celebrate, but I was severely dehydrated and had a headache that would not go away. If you are diabetic, tell your doctor to give you another prescription."

• Tde...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "This pill is great at first, but after taking the drug for six years, I began to develop one side effect, and then I looked at all the other problems I had been experiencing and identified at least 20. All reported to my Dr., who only offered other treatments or specialists that only addressed the symptoms and not the side effects. I experienced severe nerve pain, nosebleeds, bloating, bad headaches, knee joint inflammation, limited mobility, vision loss, hair loss, rash, loss of thoughts, fatigue, irritability, constipation, etc., and not all at the same time but over time. In conclusion, this pill is really no good for me and slowly works you into a pill culture. Do not recommend, completely switched to homeopathic solutions and doing much better."

• 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."