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| Pronunciation |
|
 (a
MIL oh
ride) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Midamor® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Diuretic, Potassium Sparing |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to amiloride or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: High potassium levels in
the blood, severe kidney disease, kidney disease caused by diabetes.
- If you have kidney disease or diabetes you need to be watched closely.
- If you are taking other potassium-conserving agents (eg,
spironolactone, triamterene) or potassium supplementation (medicine,
potassium-containing salt substitutes, potassium-rich
diet).
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|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used to get rid of extra fluid, salt, and water
slowly and gently.
- It is frequently used in a liver disease called cirrhosis.
- It can also be used to increase potassium stores in the
body.
|
|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Amiloride can get rid of extra salt and water in the body. It competes
against a hormone made in the body called aldosterone. In the same way,
amiloride increases potassium stores in the
body.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Follow diet plan (low sodium) as recommended by healthcare provider.
- Tablet may be crushed and mixed with food or
liquid.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. Make sure other medicines
you are taking do not increase potassium.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can increase weight
gain.
- Not for use in kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes and potassium supplements.
Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Feeling lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Females: Breast tenderness, deepening of voice, increased hair growth,
menstrual changes.
- Males: Breast enlargement.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- High potassium. This may make you feel weak, lightheaded, dizzy, or
have numbness and tingling.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine is stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- If you are using this medicine for fluid removal, check daily weight.
Report a weight gain or no weight loss.
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan (low salt) and exercise program as recommended by
healthcare provider.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare
provider.
|
|
|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, weakness, numbness,
and tingling.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Menstrual changes. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or
bleeding between cycles.
- Any rash.
|
|
|
| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect from moisture,
freezing, and excessive heat.
|
|
|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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Copyright © 1978-2001 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved
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The publisher does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein, including any injury and/or damage to any person or property as a matter of product liability, negligence, or otherwise. No warranty, expressed or implied, is made in regard to the contents of this material. No claims or endorsements are made for any drugs or compounds currently marketed or in investigative use. This material is not intended as a guide to self-medication. The reader is advised to discuss the information provided here with a doctor, pharmacist, nurse, or other authorized healthcare practitioner and to check product information (including package inserts) regarding dosage, precautions, warnings, interactions, and contraindications before administering any drug, herb, or supplement discussed herein.
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