Triamterene

Generic name: triamterene [ try-AM-teh-reen ]
Brand name: Dyrenium
Drug class:Potassium-sparing diuretics

Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on May 2, 2022.

What is triamterene?

Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.

Triamterene is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney condition called nephrotic syndrome.

Triamterene is also used to treat edema caused by using steroid medicine or having too much aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in your body.

Warnings

You should not use triamterene if you have severe kidney or liver disease, urination problems, or high levels of potassium in your blood. You should not take triamterene if you also take potassium supplements, or other diuretics such as amiloride or spironolactone.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of hyperkalemia (high potassium), such as nausea, irregular heartbeats, weakness, or loss of movement. High potassium may be more likely in older adults, or in people with kidney disease, diabetes, or severe illness.

You should not take triamterene if you also take potassium supplements, or other diuretics such as amiloride or spironolactone.

Call your doctor right away if you have signs of hyperkalemia (high potassium), such as nausea, slow or unus...