How to Use

This drug may cause you to have an unusual feeling of tiredness when you begin to take it. You may also notice an increase in the amount of urine or in your frequency of urination. After you have taken the drug for a while, these effects must lessen. In general, to keep the increase in urine from effecting your sleep:

• If you are to take a single dose a day, take it in the morning after breakfast.
• If you are to take more than one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 6 p.m., unless otherwise directed by your family doctor.

However, it is best to plan your dose or doses according to a schedule that will least effect your personal activities and sleep. Ask your health care professional to help you plan the best time to take this drug.

To help you remember to take your drug, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

If this drug upsets your stomach, it may be taken with meals or milk. If stomach upset - nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or cramps continues, check with your family doctor.

For diseaseds taking this drug for high blood pressure :

• In addition to the use of the drug your family doctor has prescribed, treat for your high blood pressure may include weight control and care in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your family doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You must check with your family doctor before changing your diet.
• Many diseaseds who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. The best for you that you take your drug exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your family doctor even if you feel well.
• Remember that this drug will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down You may have to take high blood pressure drug for the rest of your life . If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets that you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are taking potassium-sparing diuretics .

For amiloride
• For oral dosage form - tablets:
  • For high blood pressure or to lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 5 to 10 milligrams - mg once a day.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your family doctor.

For spironolactone
• For oral dosage form - tablets:
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults At first, 25 to 200 milligrams - mg a day. This is divided into two to four doses. Your family doctor may increase your dose as needed.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 1 to 3 mg per kilogram - kg - 0.45 to 1.36 mg per pound of body weight a day. The dose may be taken as a single dose or divided into two to four doses. Your family doctor may increase your dose as needed.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults At first, 50 to 100 milligrams - mg a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two to four doses. Your family doctor may gradually increase your dose up to 200 mg a day.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. The usual dose is 1 to 3 mg per kg - 0.45 to 1.36 mg per pound of body weight a day. The dose may be taken as a single dose or divided into two to four doses. Your family doctor may increase your dose as needed.
  • To treat high aldosterone levels in the body:
    • Adults 100 to 400 mg a day. This is divided into two to four doses and taken until you have surgery. If you are not having surgery, your doses may be smaller.
  • For detecting high aldosterone levels in the body:
    • Adults 400 mg a day, taken in two to four divided doses. Your family doctor may want you to take this dose for as little as four days or as long as three to four weeks. Follow your family doctor's instructions.
  • To treat low potassium levels in the blood:
    • Adults 25 to 100 mg a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two to four doses.

For triamterene
• For oral dosage form - capsules or tablets:
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 100 mg twice a day. Your family doctor may gradually increase your dose.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your family doctor. To start, the usual dose is 2 to 4 mg per kilogram - kg - 0.9 to 1.82 mg per pound of body weight a day or every other day. This is divided into smaller doses. Your family doctor may increase your dose as needed.

Missed dose If you miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.