Dyrenium® (Triamterene) Uses, Dosage, and Safety

What Dyrenium® Is and How It Works

Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to treat edema and as an adjunct for hypertension. It blocks epithelial sodium channels in the distal nephron. This reduces sodium reabsorption and limits potassium loss in urine. The net effect is gentle diuresis with a lower risk of low potassium compared with many water pills. Many patients seek triamterene online, including those comparing triamterene without insurance to local cash prices.

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Triamterene is taken by mouth as capsules or tablets. It is often paired with hydrochlorothiazide in fixed-dose combinations (for example, 37.5 mg triamterene with 25 mg HCTZ). The medicine helps reduce swelling in conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis, and certain kidney disorders. It also supports blood pressure control when added to a thiazide in patients who developed low potassium on monotherapy.

Dosage and Usage

• Typical adult dose for edema: 100 mg twice daily. Some patients use 50–100 mg twice daily for maintenance.
• Maximum recommended total daily dose: 300 mg, given in two or three divided doses.
• Hypertension (adjunct): triamterene may be added to a thiazide. Fixed-dose triamterene/HCTZ products include 37.5/25 mg or 75/50 mg once daily.
• Take at the same time each day. Taking with food may lessen stomach upset.
• Avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium unless directed by a prescriber.
• Missed dose: if it is close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not double doses.
• Regular blood tests for potassium and kidney function are typically used to guide therapy.

• Store at 15–30 °C (59–86 °F) in a dry place away from light.
• Keep tablets or capsules in the original, tightly closed container.
• Do not store in a bathroom. Avoid excess heat, moisture, and freezing.
• For travel, keep medicine in carry-on luggage in the labeled container.
• Use a pill organizer only if it protects from moisture and heat.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

Triamterene supports steady fluid removal while helping preserve potassium. This can reduce leg swelling and abdominal fluid over days. When combined with a thiazide, it can improve blood pressure control and decrease the chance of low potassium. The oral dosing is straightforward, and generic options such as Teva triamterene offer predictable performance.

Ordering through YouDrugstore can deliver meaningful savings, often 60–80% compared with typical US retail prices. This can help those paying triamterene out of pocket or managing triamterene without insurance. Multi-month supplies and occasional bulk promotions may lower the per-month cost.

To see current offers, check our triamterene discount page.

Side Effects and Safety

• Common: dizziness, headache, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
• Electrolytes: increased potassium (hyperkalemia), especially in kidney impairment or with ACE inhibitors/ARBs.
• Other: leg cramps, rash, photosensitivity, fatigue, mild increases in blood urea nitrogen or creatinine.
• Rare: kidney stones, especially in patients with prior stones.

Serious risks include hyperkalemia that may cause muscle weakness, heart rhythm changes, or, rarely, cardiac events. Risk is higher with potassium supplements, salt substitutes, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs, or other potassium-sparing agents. Triamterene has infrequent reports of megaloblastic anemia (often in advanced liver disease), thrombocytopenia, or severe skin reactions. Avoid use in anuria, acute or severe renal impairment, or known hyperkalemia.

Onset Time

Diuretic effects typically start within 2–4 hours of a dose. Swelling often improves over several days as a regular schedule is maintained. Blood pressure responses develop over 2–4 weeks when used as an adjunct regimen, particularly in combination with a thiazide. Laboratory potassium changes can appear within the first week, so clinicians often monitor early and adjust doses as needed.

Compare With Alternatives

Spironolactone is another potassium-sparing diuretic. It blocks aldosterone receptors and is favored in heart failure and cirrhosis with ascites. It may cause breast tenderness or gynecomastia and can raise potassium. Onset can be slower than triamterene, but it addresses aldosterone-driven fluid retention effectively.

Furosemide is a loop diuretic with stronger fluid removal. It is used for acute or more severe edema. It often lowers potassium, which may require supplementation or a potassium-sparing partner. Compared with triamterene, it produces more rapid diuresis but needs closer electrolyte monitoring.

Fixed-dose triamterene/hydrochlorothiazide combinations (often known as Dyazide medication or dyazide tablets) pair the two mechanisms. Common strengths include triamterene 37.5 mg with HCTZ 25 mg and, in some markets, triamterene 50/25 or 75/50 mg. These are useful when a thiazide alone caused low potassium.

Combination Therapy

• Thiazide diuretic (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide): common pairing to balance potassium and increase blood pressure control.
• Loop diuretic: may be combined in resistant edema; monitor electrolytes closely.
• Calcium channel blocker or beta blocker: used in hypertension regimens alongside a diuretic.
• ACE inhibitor or ARB: can aid blood pressure control but increases hyperkalemia risk; dose adjustments and labs are often needed.
• Potassium supplements: generally avoided with triamterene unless carefully supervised.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Triamterene suits adults with edema from heart failure, cirrhosis, or certain kidney disorders, and patients needing an adjunct diuretic for blood pressure. It is helpful when thiazide therapy led to low potassium. It is not a first-line single agent for hypertension and is often part of a combination plan.

It may not suit those with anuria, significant renal impairment, pre-existing hyperkalemia, or severe liver disease with risk of electrolyte instability. Caution is advised with ACE inhibitors, ARBs, NSAIDs, lithium, and other potassium-sparing drugs. People with a history of kidney stones may require extra monitoring. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should be individualized by a clinician.

To manage costs, consider a longer supply if the dose is stable. Multi-month fills can reduce the monthly price. Set simple reorder reminders so refills arrive before running out. Many patients compare triamterene cash price options and choose generic suppliers for better value, including those who are triamterene uninsured.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Dyrenium (triamterene)

DailyMed: Triamterene listings

Health Canada Drug Product Database

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This content is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.