Drug reference
amiloride
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Drug class
Cardiovascular (Diuretics)
Mechanism of action
Exerts its potassium sparing effect through the inhibition of sodium reabsorption at the distal convoluted tubule, cortical collecting tubule and collecting duct; this decreases the net negative potential of the tubular lumen and reduces both potassium and hydrogen secretion and their subsequent excretion.
Common side effects
- Anorexia
- Headache
- Nausea
- Hyperkalemia
- Diarrhea
Boxed warnings
- Like other potassium-conserving agents, amiloride may cause hyperkalemia (serum potassium levels greater than 5.5 mEq/L), which, if not corrected, is potentially fatal. Hyperkalemia occurs commonly (about 10%) when amiloride is used without a kaliuretic diuretic. This incidence is greater in patients with renal impairment, diabetes mellitus (with or without recognized renal insufficiency), and in elderly persons. When amiloride is used concomitantly with a thiazide diuretic in patients without these complications, the risk of hyperkalemia is reduced to about 1-2%. Monitoring serum po…
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity to amiloride Hyperkalemia (K+ >5.5 mEq/L [5.5 mmol/L]) Concomitant use with K+-sparing diuretic, or K supplementation Impaired renal function (Scr >1.5 mg/dL [132.6 umol/L], or BUN >30 mg/dL [10.7 mmol/L]) diabetes
Known interactions (5)
- amiloride + eplerenone Contraindicated
- amiloride + spironolactone Contraindicated
- amiloride + triamterene Contraindicated
- amiloride + drospirenone Moderate
- amiloride + ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone Moderate
Related conditions
Frequently asked questions
What drug class is amiloride?
amiloride belongs to: Cardiovascular.
How does amiloride work?
Exerts its potassium sparing effect through the inhibition of sodium reabsorption at the distal convoluted tubule, cortical collecting tubule and collecting duct; this decreases the net negative potential of the tubular lumen and reduces both potassium and hydrogen secretion and their subsequent excretion.
What are the common side effects of amiloride?
Anorexia, Headache, Nausea, Hyperkalemia, Diarrhea
Which drugs interact with amiloride?
eplerenone, spironolactone, triamterene, drospirenone, ethinyl estradiol-drospirenone
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