II. Indications

  1. Hypertension
    1. Weak Diuretic primarily used to counter urinary Potassium loss with other Diuretics
    2. Typically combined with Thiazide Diuretics (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. Dosing

  1. Dose: 100 mg orally twice daily
  2. Maximum: 300 mg/day
  3. Typically used as Combination Medication with Thiazide Diuretic
    1. Diazide (37.5 to 50 mg Triamterene and 25 mg Hydrochlorothiazide)
    2. Maxide (75 mg Triamterene and 50 mg Hydrochlorothiazide)

VI. Pharmacokinetics

  1. Rapidly absorbed, highly metabolized in liver and Kidney and rapidly excreted
  2. Onset: 2 to 4 hours
  3. Duration: 7 to 9 hours

VII. Adverse Effects

  1. See Potassium-Sparing Diuretic
  2. Blue Urine Color
    1. Specific to Triamterene

VIII. Safety

  1. Pregnancy Category B
  2. Avoid 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

triamterene (on 12/21/2022 at Medicaid.Gov Survey of pharmacy drug pricing)
TRIAMTERENE-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 37.5-25 MG CP Generic $0.12 each
TRIAMTERENE-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 37.5-25 MG TB Generic $0.09 each
TRIAMTERENE-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE 75-50 MG TAB Generic $0.13 each

Ontology: Triamterene (C0040869)

Definition (MSH) A pteridinetriamine compound that inhibits SODIUM reabsorption through SODIUM CHANNELS in renal EPITHELIAL CELLS.
Definition (NCI) A pteridine derivative with potassium-sparing diuretic property. Triamterene blocks the sodium-potassium exchange pump (Na-K-ATPase) in the luminal membrane of principal cells in the late distal tubule, cortical collecting tubule and collecting duct in the kidney. This reversible inhibition of the electrogenic sodium transport decreases the lumen-negative transepithelial potential difference and thus reduces the driving force for K+ movement into the tubular lumen resulting in the inhibition of sodium reabsorption in exchange for K+ and H+.
Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D014223
SnomedCT 12512008, 387053007
LNC LP14734-5, MTHU001919
English Triamterene, 2,4,7-Pteridinetriamine, 6-phenyl-, triamterene, triamterene (medication), TRIAMTERENE, Triamterene [Chemical/Ingredient], 6-Phenyl-2,4,7-triaminopteridine, 6-Phenyl-2,4,7-pteridinetriamine, Triamterene (product), Triamterene (substance)
Swedish Triamteren
Czech triamteren
Finnish Triamtereeni
Russian TRIAMTEREN, PTEROFEN, ПТЕРОФЕН, ТРИАМТЕРЕН
Japanese トリアムテレン
Polish Triamteren
Spanish triamtereno (producto), triamtereno (sustancia), triamtereno, Triantereno
French Triamtérène
German Triamteren
Italian Triamterene
Portuguese Triantereno

Ontology: Dyrenium (C0700653)

Concepts Pharmacologic Substance (T121) , Organic Chemical (T109)
MSH D014223
English Dyrenium, Wellspring Brand of Triamterene