Moduretic is a diuretic (water pill) and is a combination of a potassium-sparing diuretic (amiloride) and a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). It works by making the kidneys eliminate sodium (salt) and water from the body, which helps to lower blood pressure. The amiloride component helps minimize potassium loss. Moduretic may be used alone or with other medicines.

Take Moduretic by mouth with food. Moduretic may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. Moduretic may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Moduretic with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it. Moduretic may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Moduretic. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.

Do not use Moduretic if you are allergic to any ingredient in Moduretic or any other sulfonamide (eg, sulfamethoxazole); you are unable to urinate, have severely decreased kidney function, or high blood potassium; you are taking other potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or dofetilide.

The most common side effects are changes in blood sugar; constipation; dizziness; fatigue; headache; inflammation of a salivary gland; loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; stomach pain; weakness. Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur: rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; dry mouth; excessive thirst; impotence; leg or muscle cramps; mental confusion; rapid, weak, or irregular heartbeat; stomach pain; urination problems; vomiting; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Some medicines may interact with Moduretic. Tell your health care provider if you are taking Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone), potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium; Cholestyramine or colestipol; Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin); Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), certain chemotherapy medicines, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), digoxin, dofetilide, ketanserin, narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine), or medicines for high blood pressure; Diazoxide, lithium, or nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers; Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril); Diabetes medicines (eg, glipizide).

If you miss a dose of Moduretic, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, numbness and tingling, and seizures.

Store Moduretic at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Moduretic out of the reach of children and away from pets.

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