II. Indications

  1. Hypertension
    1. Weak Diuretics primarily used to counter urinary Potassium loss with other Diuretics
    2. Often combined with Thiazide Diuretics and rarely used alone

III. Contraindications

IV. Mechanism

  1. Potassium-Sparing Diuretics only (Aldosterone independent)
  2. Primarily used to counter urinary Potassium loss with other Diuretics (e.g. Thiazide Diuretics)
  3. Act directly at the distal convoluted tubule (Aldosterone independent)
    1. Increase Sodium excretion
    2. Decrease Potassium secretion

V. Pharmacokinetics

  1. Renal excretion (unchanged in urine)
  2. Half-Life: 6 hours
  3. Onset: 2 hours
  4. Duration: 24 hours

VI. Dosing

  1. Dose: 5 mg orally daily
  2. Maximum: 20 mg/day

VII. Adverse Effects

VIII. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category B
  2. Unknown Safety in Lactation

X. References

  1. (2021) Presc Lett, Resource #370507, Commonly Used Diuretics
  2. (2020) Med Lett Drugs Ther 62(1598): 73-80
  3. Olson (2020) Clinical Pharmacology, Medmaster Miami, p. 62-3
  4. Hamilton (2020) Tarascon Pocket Pharmacopoeia

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Related Studies

Cost: Medications

amiloride (on 7/20/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
AMILORIDE HCL 5 MG TABLET Generic $0.15 each
AMILORIDE HCL-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 5-50 MG TAB Generic $0.43 each

Ontology: Amiloride (C0002502)

Definition (NCI) A synthetic pyrazine derivative with antikaliuretic and diuretic properties. Amiloride inhibits sodium channels located in the distal tubules and collecting ducts of the kidney, thereby preventing the absorption of sodium and increasing its excretion along with water, to produce naturesis. In response to the hypernatremic conditions in the kidney, the plasma membrane becomes hyperpolarized and electrochemical forces are reduced, which then prevents the excretion of potassium and hydrogen into the lumen.
Definition (CSP) pyrazine compound inhibiting sodium reabsorbtion through sodium channels in renal epithelial cells; used in conjunction with diuretics to spare potassium loss.
Definition (MSH) A pyrazine compound inhibiting SODIUM reabsorption through SODIUM CHANNELS in renal EPITHELIAL CELLS. This inhibition creates a negative potential in the luminal membranes of principal cells, located in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct. Negative potential reduces secretion of potassium and hydrogen ions. Amiloride is used in conjunction with DIURETICS to spare POTASSIUM loss. (From Gilman et al., Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, p705)
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D000584
SnomedCT 387503008, 87395005
LNC LP16024-9, MTHU006775
English Amiloride, Pyrazinecarboxamide, 3,5-diamino-N-(aminoiminomethyl)-6-chloro-, Amiloride [Chemical/Ingredient], aMILoride, AMILORIDE, amiloride, Amipramizide, Amiloride (product), Amiloride (substance)
Swedish Amilorid
Czech amilorid
Finnish Amiloridi
Russian AMILORID, АМИЛОРИД
Croatian AMILORID
Polish Amiloryd
Japanese アミロライド, アミパミジン, アミロラジド, アミロリド
Spanish amilorida (producto), amilorida (sustancia), amilorida, Amilorida
French Amiloride
German Amilorid
Italian Amiloride
Portuguese Amilorida

Ontology: Midamor (C0026054)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D000584
English midamor, Cahill May Roberts Brand of Amiloride Hydrochloride, Merck Brand of Amiloride Hydrochloride, Merck Sharp & Dohme Brand of Amiloride Hydrochloride, Modamide, Midamor