What side effects are possible with this medication?
A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. A side effect may be mild or severe, temporary or permanent, but does not occur in everyone. Not everyone will experience side effects, and which side effects a person experiences cannot be anticipated.
The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. If you develop any of these side effects (or any other side effects not listed here) or they change in intensity, speak to your doctor or pharmacist for advice on managing them and on the risks and benefits of the medication.
- anorexia
- appetite changes
- constipation
- cough
- diarrhea
- dizziness
- erectile dysfunction (impotence)
- fatigue
- gas pain
- headache
- muscle cramps
- nausea and vomiting
- signs and symptoms of too much potassium in the blood:
- confusion
- irregular heartbeat
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- unusual tiredness or muscle weakness
- weakness or heaviness in the legs
- stomach pain or cramps
- trouble breathing
- weakness
Click here to learn about serious side effects that can potentially occur with any medication. These examples are provided for information purposes only and are not meant to be exhaustive. Always consult your doctor for sound medical advice specific to your particular medication and treatment.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online or by phone at 1-800-332-1088.
Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?
Be sure to inform your doctor of all your medical conditions before you begin taking a medication. Some conditions can affect how you should take this medication.
Cardiopulmonary (heart and lung) disease: People with cardiopulmonary disease should be closely monitored by their doctor while taking this medication.
High blood potassium: This medication may cause high blood potassium levels especially for elderly people, people with diabetes, and people with impaired kidney function. Warning signs or symptoms of high potassium include:
- confusion
- irregular heartbeat
- nervousness
- numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weakness or heaviness of the legs
Liver function impairment: People with severe liver disease should be closely monitored while taking this medication.
Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: It is not known whether amiloride passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.
What other drugs could interact with this medication?
An interaction between medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. The following medications may affect the way amiloride works, be affected by amiloride, or increase the risk of side effects:
- ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, ramipril)
- angiotensin II receptor antagonists (e.g., losartan, valsartan)
- cyclosporine
- drugs which increase potassium levels (such as potassium supplements, spironolactone, triamterene, and salt substitutes containing potassium)
- lithium
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
- tacrolimus
If you are taking any of these or other medications (including non-prescription, herbal, and supplement products), speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to change your therapy or suggest ways of managing any interactions. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.