Dyazide

Why should Dyazide not be prescribed?

If you are unable to urinate or have any serious kidney disease, if you have high potassium levels in your blood, or if you are taking other drugs that prevent loss of potassium, you should not take Dyazide.

If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to triamterene (Dyrenium), hydrochlorothiazide (Oretic), or sulfa drugs such as Gantrisin you should not take this medication.

Special warnings about Dyazide

When taking Dyazide, do not use potassium-containing salt substitutes. Take potassium supplements only if specifically directed to by your doctor. Your potassium level should be checked frequently.

If you are taking Dyazide and have kidney disease, your doctor should monitor your kidney function closely.

If you have liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, or kidney stones, this medication should be used with care. Diabetics may find that the drug increases their blood sugar levels, altering their insulin requirements.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Dyazide

Dyazide should be used with caution if you are taking a type of blood pressure medication called an ACE inhibitor, such as Vasotec or Capoten.

If Dyazide is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Dyazide with the following:

Blood-thinning medications such as Coumadin
Corticosteroids such as Deltasone
Drugs for diabetes such as Micronase
Gout medications such as Zyloprim
Laxatives
Lithium (Lithonate)
Methenamine (Urised)
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Indocin and Dolobid
Other drugs that minimize potassium loss or contain potassium
Other high blood pressure medications such as Minipress
Salt substitutes containing potassium
Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate)

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

The effects of Dyazide during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Dyazide appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding until your treatment is finished.