Kalspare

Health and Nutrition > Medicines > K



How does it work?

This medicine contains two active ingredients, triamterene and chlortalidone (previously spelt chlorthalidone in the UK). These are both medicines called diuretics. Diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as sodium from the blood. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine. Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. Decreasing the volume of fluid results in a drop in the pressure of the fluid within the blood vessels. This helps to lower high blood pressure. It also decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body. There are many conditions which may lead to an accumulation of fluid in the body (oedema). This medicine is commonly used in conditions such as heart failure, where the pumping mechanism of the heart is less effective. It is used to relieve the symptoms of heart failure, such as the shortness of breath seen with fluid on the lungs. This medicine is also used to remove excess fluid associated with cirrhosis of the liver, kidney disease and treatment with certain medicines. Chlortalidone is known as a thiazide diuretic and when used alone can cause low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia). Triamterene is known as a potassium-sparing diuretic, and it does not have this effect. Triamterene has a weak diuretic effect by itself, but is included in this medicine to prevent excessive potassium loss.

What is it used for?

- Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to heart failure
- Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to kidney disease
- Excess fluid retention (oedema) due to treatment with corticosteroids or oestrogen.
- Liver cirrhosis, with collection of fluid in the abdominal cavity
- Mild to moderate high blood pressure

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