Amilzide (Amiloride/Hydrochlorothiazide) is used in adults for swelling of the hands, ankles or feet in patients with hepatic cirrhosis (a liver disease) and patients with swelling of the hands, ankles or feet caused by heart problems or patients with high blood pressure who have low levels of potassium in their blood or who need to maintain normal levels of potassium. Amilzide contains a combination of 2 drugs, Amiloride hydrochloride and Hydrochlorothiazide. Amiloride hydrochloride helps the body lose excess salt but keep a normal amount of potassium in the blood. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic or “water pill” that increases urination. This lowers blood pressure. This medicine does not cure high blood pressure. It helps to control it. Therefore, it is important to continue taking Amilzide regularly even if you feel fine. Take Amilzide exactly as prescribed. It is recommended to take your dose at about the same time every day. Amilzide can be taken with or without food. If Amilzide causes upset stomach, take it with food or milk.

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The common side effects of Amilzide may include muscle cramps, spasms, and pain, weakness, restlessness, dizziness, pins and needles in your fingers, headache, trouble sleeping, nervousness, sleepiness, fatigue, tiredness, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, upset stomach, enlargement of the glands in your mouth, stomach pain, hiccups, thirst, gas, bad taste, dry mouth, bleeding under the skin, rash, itching, stuffy nose. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Decreased levels of potassium in the blood: irregular heartbeats, muscle weakness;

• Low Blood Pressure: dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness;

• Non-melanoma skin cancer: lump or discoloured patch on the skin that stays after a few weeks and slowly changes

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Do not take Amilzide if you: are allergic to amiloride hydrochloride or hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, have difficulty urinating, have high potassium levels, have severe kidney disease, are using any potassium supplementation, are breastfeeding, have: Galactose intolerance, Lapp lactase deficiency, Glucose-galactose malabsorption. Before you use Amilzide, talk to your doctor if you: are allergic to penicillin, have diabetes, lung, liver, heart or kidney disease, had a surgery, have gout, have a stomach ulcer, are dehydrated or have excessive vomiting, diarrhea, are pregnant, are less than 18 or over 65 years, have had skin problems, or are taking drugs to suppress your immune system. Amilzide may increase the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancer. While taking Amilzide: make sure to regularly check your skin for any new lesions, limit sun exposure and indoor tanning. Hydrochlorothiazide in Amilzide can cause Sudden Eye Disorders: sudden nearsightedness or blurred vision, an increased pressure in your eyes, eye pain.

Avoid driving and using machines while taking Amilzide as it may cause dizziness, or fainting. Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about all the medicines you take, especially: Adrenocorticotropic hormone, alcohol, sleeping pills, amphotericin B, an antifungal drug, anticancer drugs, antidepressants, antidiabetic drugs, including insulin, bile acid resins used to lower cholesterol, corticosteroids, digoxin, drugs that slow down or speed up bowel function, including atropine, drugs used to treat epilepsy, gout medications, lithium used to treat bipolar disease, medicines used to reduce pain and swelling, blood pressure lowering drugs, medicines used to relieve muscle spasms.

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