Dyazide

Medically Reviewed by Dr. Harshi Dhingra, M.D.

Last Reviewed: Mar 23, 2023

Warnings

Dyazide (TRIAMTERENE / HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE) Risks, Warnings, and Complications

Dyazide can cause serious health problems in some people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other treatment options for high blood pressure or edema if you are at increased risk of complications from this combination of medicines. Some of the risks of taking Dyazide include:

HYPERKALEMIA: Taking this medication can lead to an increase in blood potassium levels. People who are over 65 years of age, those who have kidney problems and diabetes, and those who take certain medications, potassium-containing salt substitutes, or eat foods high in potassium are at higher risk of this happening. High potassium can cause serious medical problems, including heart problems and heart attacks. Your healthcare provider will check your blood potassium level before starting you on Dyazide and regularly during treatment.
ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE: Dyazide affects the levels of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, and calcium in the blood. These electrolytes play important roles in many functions in the body. Changes in electrolyte levels can cause muscle cramps, irregular heartbeats, seizures, effects on parathyroid function, and other signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider will check electrolyte levels before starting you on Dyazide and regularly during treatment to make sure they are within normal range.
METABOLIC ACIDOSIS: In a small number of people, Dyazide can cause metabolic acidosis (buildup of acid in the body). This affects multiple organs and is a life-threatening complication. These effects occur more commonly in people with a severe illness such as sepsis. Tell all your healthcare providers you are on Dyazide if you need treatment in the hospital.
LIVER DAMAGE AND COMA: Very rarely, taking this medication can cause severe liver damage, which can lead to coma. The risk is greater in people who have pre-existing liver problems. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice sudden drowsiness, confusion, or tremors. Your doctor may order a blood test to check your liver function.
HYPERGLYCEMIA: Taking Dyazide can lead to hyperglycemia (increase in blood sugar levels). If you have diabetes, your doctor may tell you to check your blood glucose levels more frequently while on this medication. Tell your doctor without delay if you notice unusually high sugar readings. Your diabetes medications may need to be adjusted or changed.
GOUT: Dyazide can lead to high uric acid levels in the body, which can cause or worsen gout. Tell your doctor if you have a personal or family history of gout attacks or kidney disease. Call your doctor right away if you develop joint pain, redness, or swelling.
GLAUCOMA: Rarely, taking Dyazide can lead to acute angle-closure glaucoma. This can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated. The risk is higher in people with a history of sulfa or penicillin allergies. This complication can occur within a few hours or several weeks after starting Dyazide. Stop taking the medicine and tell your doctor right away if you develop any eye pain or vision changes.
SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTIONS: People with allergies to sulfa drugs can develop similar reactions with severe skin rash and trouble breathing on Dyazide because it contains hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any drug allergies before starting this medication.

Precautions Before Starting Dyazide (TRIAMTERENE / HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE)

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to triamterene, hydrochlorothiazide, any of the active or inactive ingredients in Dyazide capsules, sulfa drugs, or any other medications. Your pharmacy can give you a list of ingredients.

Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, non-prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. This can help avoid possible interactions between Dyazide and your other drugs.

Give your doctor a complete medical history. Dyazide may not be right for people with certain medical conditions such as high potassium, kidney stones, kidney disease, kidney failure, diabetes, gout, thyroid disease, liver disease, heart disease, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, could be pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or breast feeding. Dyazide may be harmful to an unborn baby.

Precautions During Use of Dyazide (TRIAMTERENE / HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE)

Keep all your healthcare appointments while taking Dyazide. Your doctor may want to check your response to the medication and adjust your dose based on your blood pressure readings. They may order certain lab tests to check for electrolyte imbalance.

Dyazide can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting if you arise too quickly to standing position. Get up slowly from a sitting or lying position to avoid these side effects.

Avoid drinking alcohol while on this medication. Alcohol can make side effects like dizziness and drowsiness worse.

Dyazide can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of skin cancer. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen and avoid unnecessary or prolonged sun exposure.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while on Dyazide.

Make sure your healthcare providers and laboratory personnel know you are on Dyazide, especially before any surgical procedure, including dental procedures.

Dyazide (TRIAMTERENE / HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE) Drug Interactions

Certain other drugs can affect how Dyazide works. Possible interactions between Dyazide and other medicines can increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Some of the medications that can have interactions with this medicine include:

Other diuretics such as spironolactone (Aldactone, in Aldactazide), amiloride (Midamor), and medications that contain triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide)
Antibiotics such as amphotericin B (Ambisome, Abelcet, Amphotec) and methenamine (Hiprex, Urex)
Blood pressure medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, for example, moexipril (Univasc, in Uniretic), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril, enalapril (Vasotec, Vaseretic), benazepril (Lotensin, in Lotrel), trandolapril (Mavik, in Tarka), lisinopril (in Prinzide, in Zestoretic), quinapril (Accupril, in Accuretic), perindopril (Aceon), and ramipril (Altace)
Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
Blood thinners (anticoagulants) such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone (Dexasone, Decadron, Dexpak, others), budesonide (Entocort), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), betamethasone (Celestone), cortisone (Cortone), fludrocortisone (Floriner), prednisolone (Prelone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone, others), prednisone (Rayos), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Azmacort)
Hormones like corticotropin (ACTH, H.P., Acthar Gel)
Heart medications like digoxin (Lanoxin)
Psychiatric medications such as lithium (Lithobid)
Medications used to treat diabetes, gout, or high blood pressure
Narcotic pain medications
Laxatives
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve)
Potassium supplements
Potassium-containing salt substitutes

The above list may not contain all the possible interactions of Dyazide. Give your doctor and pharmacist a complete list of your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and herbal remedies. Also, tell your healthcare professional if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use recreational drugs because some of these substances can cause serious health complications when used with prescription medications.

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