Active ingredients: amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Common use: management of high blood pressure and edema. Typical tablet strength: 5 mg amiloride + 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide.
What Moduretic Is and How It Works
Moduretic is a fixed-dose combination of two diuretics. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that helps your kidneys remove extra salt and water. Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic that limits potassium loss while also reducing salt reabsorption. Together they lower fluid buildup and help control blood pressure. Doctors prescribe this combo for hypertension and edema from various causes. Some off-label uses may exist, but your prescriber should guide those decisions. For things you should not combine with this medicine, see drug interactions and what to avoid.
Key Safety Points
The following points summarize critical risks. If any apply, contact your clinician before using Moduretic and review pre-use considerations:
- Never use potassium salt substitutes or high-potassium milk products with this medication without explicit medical advice.
- Do not take Moduretic if you have severe kidney disease or cannot pass urine.
- Avoid starting any new prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal product without checking for interactions first.
- Hyperkalemia risk: because amiloride conserves potassium, do not use potassium supplements unless specifically instructed.
- Heat and dehydration can worsen side effects. Follow fluid guidance in How To Take It.
Before You Start
Tell your healthcare professional about your full medical history and all medicines you take. You should not use Moduretic if you are allergic to amiloride or hydrochlorothiazide, or if any of the strict contraindications below apply:
- Inability to urinate or advanced kidney failure
- High blood potassium levels
- Current use of potassium supplements without clinician oversight
Also mention if you have or use any of the following, since you may need monitoring or a different dose:
- Liver disease, including cirrhosis
- Lupus
- Heart disease or heart failure
- Diabetes
- Breathing disorders
- Gout
- History of sulfonamide allergy
- Pancreas problems
- Other blood pressure medicines or corticosteroids
How To Take It
Use Moduretic exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose or schedule unless your clinician instructs you to do so. Taking the tablet with food and a full glass of water is common practice. Keep all appointments for blood pressure checks and lab tests, especially potassium, kidney function, and electrolytes.
Extra notes:
- If you are scheduled for surgery, inform your surgeon in advance that you take amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. A brief pause may be needed.
- Thiazides may affect certain lab results, such as thyroid tests; tell any clinician that you are on a thiazide diuretic.
- High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Continue taking your medication even if you feel well unless your prescriber advises otherwise.
- Storage: keep tablets at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat, and light. Do not freeze.
- If you have vomiting, diarrhea, or signs of dehydration, contact your clinician. You may need labs or dose adjustments.
Missed Dose
If you forget a dose, take it when you remember. If it is close to the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and resume your usual schedule. Do not double up.
Overdose
Seek urgent medical help if you suspect an overdose. Symptoms may include severe dizziness, intense thirst, a slow or irregular heartbeat, fainting, or feeling very light-headed.
What To Avoid
- Alcohol, which can intensify dizziness and other side effects.
- Other medicines that increase drowsiness or light-headedness, including some pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, seizure medicines, and certain cold products. Discuss combinations with your prescriber.
- Potassium salt substitutes or potassium-fortified low-sodium dairy without explicit clinician guidance, due to hyperkalemia risk.
- High-salt diets; excess sodium can reduce the benefit of this medication.
- Driving or tasks that require full alertness until you know how the medicine affects you.
- Overheating and dehydration during hot weather or exercise. For fluid advice, see How To Take It.
Possible Side Effects
Stop the drug and get emergency help if you notice symptoms of a severe allergic reaction such as trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Serious effects that need prompt medical attention can include:
- Very slow, very fast, or irregular heartbeat
- Urination that is greatly reduced or stops
- Confusion, tremor, or shallow breathing
- Severe drowsiness, restlessness, or marked light-headedness
- Numbness or tingling
- Muscle pain or unusual weakness
- Signs of liver trouble such as dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain, low fever, poor appetite, or yellowing of skin/eyes
- Dry mouth with intense thirst, tiredness, nausea, or vomiting
Milder effects are also possible:
- Stomach gas or discomfort
- Rash on the skin
- Nausea or occasional vomiting
Drug Interactions
Many medicines can interact with Moduretic. Always share a complete list of your prescriptions, over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbs with your clinician and pharmacist. Examples include:
- ACE inhibitors such as enalapril, lisinopril, captopril, benazepril, or ramipril
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, diclofenac, etodolac, piroxicam, nabumetone, and others
- Lithium
- ARBs such as losartan, valsartan, irbesartan, candesartan, telmisartan, olmesartan, or eprosartan
- Digoxin
- Insulin and oral diabetes medicines
- Warfarin or other blood thinners
- Systemic steroids such as prednisone
- Calcineurin inhibitors like cyclosporine or tacrolimus
This is not a full list. For items you should avoid while taking Moduretic, review What To Avoid.
Alternatives And Similar Medicines
Depending on your condition, response, and lab results, your clinician may consider alternatives. Do not switch without medical advice.
- Triamterene plus hydrochlorothiazide (brand examples: Dyazide, Maxzide) - another potassium-sparing plus thiazide combination.
- Spironolactone alone or with hydrochlorothiazide (Aldactazide) - useful where aldosterone plays a role; may raise potassium.
- Eplerenone - potassium-sparing, often used in heart failure or resistant hypertension; also raises potassium.
- Thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics alone, such as hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone.
- Loop diuretics like furosemide for edema-predominant conditions.
- Other blood pressure classes: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, based on individual needs.
Price Snapshot in the USA
Approximate cash prices vary widely by pharmacy, dose, and location. Insurance, coupons, and discount programs can change what you pay. Typical ballpark ranges for a 30-tablet supply:
- Amiloride 5 mg + hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg (generic Moduretic): about USD 10 to 40
- Triamterene/HCTZ (generic): about USD 8 to 30
- Spironolactone 25 mg generic: about USD 4 to 20
- Chlorthalidone generic: about USD 6 to 25
- If a brand Moduretic product is available, expect a higher price, often USD 150 to 250 or more for 30 tablets
These figures are rough estimates for comparison only and are not offers. Check your local pharmacy or price tools for current amounts.
Legal Status And Buying Rules in the USA
- Prescription only: Moduretic and its generic equivalents require a valid prescription from a licensed US prescriber.
- FDA regulation: The product must be FDA-approved and dispensed by a licensed US pharmacy when sold in the USA.
- Telemedicine: Remote prescribing is permitted when clinicians follow federal and state rules. Some states may require an in-person exam first.
- Importation: Personal importation of prescription drugs from outside the USA is generally illegal. The FDA may exercise limited discretion, but you should not rely on it.
- Insurance coverage: Most Medicare Part D and commercial plans list generics like amiloride/HCTZ, but formularies and copays differ. Prior authorization or step therapy may apply.
- Use and possession: Keep medicines in their original labeled container. Sharing prescription drugs is unlawful.
- Monitoring: Clinicians typically monitor electrolytes and kidney function. Follow lab orders to use the drug safely.
- Disposal: Use take-back programs or FDA-recommended disposal methods. Do not flush unless guidance says it is safe to do so.
For practical tips on safe use, also see Key Safety Points and How To Take It.
More Information
- Your pharmacist can explain how to take amiloride/hydrochlorothiazide, review interactions, and suggest ways to remember doses.
- Keep all medicines away from children. Do not share your prescription. Use only for conditions and doses your prescriber has approved.
- The information on this page is educational and may not include every possible use, warning, interaction, or side effect. It does not replace the judgment of your healthcare professional. If you have questions about your medicines, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
