About co-triamterzide tablets

Co-triamterzide is a combination tablet containing two ingredients - triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide. These are both diuretic medicines. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as water tablets because they help your kidneys remove water from your body. For people with hypertension (high blood pressure), this removal of fluid reduces the blood pressure.

It is also used to treat oedema, which is when there is a build-up of fluid in the body. Oedema is commonly caused by heart failure, or liver or kidney disease. It occurs when fluid leaks out of your blood vessels, causing swelling in the tissues of your lungs, feet or ankles. This makes you feel breathless and your legs feel puffy. By increasing the amount of urine your kidneys produce, co-triamterzide prevents the build-up of this fluid.

Before taking co-triamterzide tablets

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking co-triamterzide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have liver or kidney problems, or any difficulty passing urine.
• If you have gout, diabetes, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These conditions may be made worse by diuretics.
• If you have a problem with your adrenal glands, called Addison's disease.
• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, such as herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take co-triamterzide tablets

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about co-triamterzide and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.
• Take the tablets exactly as your doctor has told you to. The usual dose for high blood pressure is one tablet daily, taken after breakfast. It may be more than this if you are taking it for fluid retention. You will not be asked to take more than four tablets a day.
• Diuretics are best taken in the morning. They should not be taken later than mid-afternoon. This is so that they work during the day and your sleep is not disturbed by you needing to get up to go to the toilet during the night. If you are taking more than one tablet a day, your doctor may recommend you split your dose, taking part of it after breakfast and part after lunch.
• It is recommended that you take co-triamterzide after a meal or a snack. This is because some people feel queasy after taking it, and taking the tablets after food helps to prevent this.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is after 6 pm in the evening, you should skip the forgotten dose and continue as usual the next day. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can check on your progress. The salt balance in your bloodstream may be upset by diuretics and your doctor will want you to have blood tests from time to time to check for this.
• Co-triamterzide can cause your urine to look slightly blue in some lights - this is harmless and nothing to be concerned about.
• Diuretics help you to lose water, so you can breathe and move more easily. If, however, you lose too much fluid, you may become dehydrated. This will make you feel thirsty and make your skin look and feel dry. Let your doctor know if this happens, as your dose may need to be adjusted.
• Treatment with diuretics is usually long-term, so continue to take these tablets unless you are advised otherwise.
• Drinking alcohol while you are taking a diuretic may make you feel dizzy. Ask for your doctor's advice about whether you should avoid alcohol.
• People with high blood pressure often do not feel unwell, but if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm your heart and damage your blood vessels. This damage may later result in a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems, so it is important that you continue to take these tablets regularly to help reduce the risk of this. You may also be given some lifestyle or dietary advice by your doctor, such as stopping smoking, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and taking some regular exercise. Following this advice will also help to reduce the risk of damage to your heart and blood vessels.
• If you have diabetes, these tablets may affect your blood sugar levels. Test your blood or urine regularly and speak with your doctor if you notice any significant changes.
• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with your other medicines.
• If you are having any medical treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking.

Can co-triamterzide tablets cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store co-triamterzide tablets

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines