Drug interactions
Spironolactone + Triamterene
Severity: Contraindicated
Spironolactone and Triamterene: contraindicated interaction.
Last updated
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.
Summary
Both agents are potassium-sparing diuretics, so using them together can cause severe, life-threatening hyperkalemia. The risk is greater in renal impairment, diabetes and older patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Spironolactone and Triamterene are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Spironolactone belongs to Cardiovascular; Triamterene belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive potassium retention via aldosterone receptor antagonism (spironolactone) and ENaC blockade (triamterene) in the distal nephron.
What to do
Do not combine these two diuretics; use only one potassium-sparing agent and pair it with a loop or thiazide diuretic if needed. Monitor serum potassium and renal function regularly.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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Other interactions of Spironolactone
- Amiloride + Spironolactone Contraindicated
- Eplerenone + Spironolactone Contraindicated
- Abiraterone + Spironolactone Major
- Aceclofenac + Spironolactone Major
- Acemetacin + Spironolactone Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Spironolactone Major
Other interactions of Triamterene
- Amiloride + Triamterene Contraindicated
- Eplerenone + Triamterene Contraindicated
- Potassium citrate / citric acid + Triamterene Contraindicated
- Potassium citrate + Triamterene Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Triamterene Major
- Acemetacin + Triamterene Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Spironolactone with Triamterene?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Spironolactone and Triamterene are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Both agents are potassium-sparing diuretics, so using them together can cause severe, life-threatening hyperkalemia. The risk is greater in renal impairment, diabetes and older patients.
How serious is the interaction between Spironolactone and Triamterene?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not combine these two diuretics; use only one potassium-sparing agent and pair it with a loop or thiazide diuretic if needed. Monitor serum potassium and renal function regularly.
What other medicines interact with Spironolactone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Spironolactone with, for example, Amiloride, Eplerenone, Abiraterone. The full list is on the Spironolactone page.
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