Moduretic 5-50 Side Effects

Generic name: amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 3, 2025.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Moduretic 5-50 Side Effects associated with amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Moduretic 5-50.

Applies to amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have stomach pain, confusion, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, trouble breathing, or weakness or heaviness of the legs.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also taking potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, or certain diuretics such as spironolactone (Aldactazide®, Aldactone®), triamterene (Dyrenium®), or other products containing amiloride. Using these medicines together may cause serious problems.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. Dizziness may be worse if you lose too much water from your body. You can lose water by sweating, having diarrhea, or vomiting. Tell your doctor if this medicine makes you feel lightheaded or dizzy after you have been vomiting or had diarrhea.

This medicine may increase your risk of getting skin cancer (eg, non-melanoma skin cancer). Avoid sun exposure. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used with this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are drinking alcohol or using pain relievers or sleeping pills.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may tend to increase your blood pressure.

Serious side effects of Moduretic 5-50

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:

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 5-50

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:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to amiloride / hydrochlorothiazide: oral tablet.

General adverse events

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]

See also:

Further information

Moduretic 5-50 side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer