Frequently asked questions for Amiloride
Amiloride
Q. What does Amiloride do? Is it a beta blocker or a diuretic?
Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It is prescribed with other medicines to control increased blood pressure and to treat heart failure in patients who have had a heart attack. It is not a beta blocker but mineralocorticoid receptor blocker.Q. How long does Amiloride take to work?
Amiloride controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. You may not see any improvement because high blood pressure does not have any symptoms. But, if you get your blood pressure checked, you may notice a change within 2 weeks of starting Amiloride. However, the medicine may take 4 weeks or longer to show its maximum benefits.Q. Does Amiloride cause erectile dysfunction?
No, Amiloride does not cause erectile dysfunction. Amiloride does not have any effect on fertility, in both males and females.Q. My blood pressure is now controlled, still the doctor has asked me to continue the treatment. Can I stop Amiloride?
No, you should not stop Amiloride. If your doctor has advised you to continue treatment, keep taking it. Amiloride does not cure blood pressure, but keeps the blood pressure in control. Therefore, keep taking the medicine even if your blood pressure is controlled. Stopping it may make your condition worse and you may have unwanted side effects.Q. Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic. Does this mean that I will have more potassium in my body? Will it be beneficial for me?
Potassium-sparing diuretic are those medicines which increase the urination without causing any loss in potassium levels. Amiloride allows sodium loss by body in exchange for potassium which is retained. It may result in an increase in the levels of potassium. Therefore, your doctor may monitor your potassium levels continuously. You may need to get it measured before starting Amiloride, within the first week and one month after the start of treatment or after a change in dose. Potassium levels above normal range are not good for you or anyone.Q. Does Amiloride have any effect on the blood sugar levels?
Although it is not very common, but Amiloride may increase your blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is important that you keep a regular check on your blood sugar levels if you are a diabetic. The use of Amiloride should be avoided in patients who have type 2 diabetes along with some kidney problem in which the patient loses protein (albumin) in very small quantities in urine.Q. I had been using Losartan for quite some time and was tolerating it well. Now my doctor has prescribed me Amiloride along with Hydrochlorothiazide. I want to know why he just could not add Amiloride with Losartan?
It could be possible that Losartan was not able to control your blood pressure adequately. Therefore, your doctor may have suggested an alternative medicine for blood pressure control (Amiloride), but Eplerenone when taken with Losartan can enhance the chances of raised potassium levels which could be harmful for you. To prevent this rise in potassium levels, the combination of Amiloride with hydrochlorothiazide may have been prescribed.Q. Is there anything I need to be careful about if I am taking aspirin and have now started Amiloride?
Aspirin may interfere with the working of Amiloride due to which your blood pressure may not get adequately controlled. Aspirin and Amiloride may increase the chances of rise in potassium levels in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, if both are to be used together, keep monitoring your blood pressure and potassium levels.Q. What if I forget to take a dose of Amiloride?
If you forget a dose of Amiloride, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose in the prescribed time. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.Q. Is there anything I need to be careful about if I am taking aspirin and have now started Amiloride?
Aspirin may interfere with the working of Amiloride due to which your blood pressure may not get adequately controlled. Aspirin and eplerenone may increase the chances of increased potassium levels in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, if both are to be used together, keep monitoring your blood pressure and potassium levels.