TRIAMTERENE AND HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE

Each capsule of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide for oral use, with opaque yellow cap and opaque white body, contains triamterene 37.5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, and is imprinted with 855. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic/antihypertensive agent and triamterene is an antikaliuretic agent. Hydrochlorothiazide, USP is very slightly soluble in water. It is freely soluble in sodium hydroxide solution, n-butylamine and dimethyl formamide. It is sparingly soluble in methanol. It is insoluble in ether, chloroform and dilute mineral acids. Hydrochlorothiazide, USP is 6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2 H -1, 2, 4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide 1,1-dioxide, and its structural formula is: Triamterene, USP is soluble in formic acid. It is sparingly soluble in methoxyethanol. It is very slightly soluble in acetic acid, alcohol and dilute mineral acids. It is practically insoluble in water, benzene, ether, chloroform and dilute alkali hydroxides. Triamterene, USP is 2, 4, 7-triamino-6-phenylpteridine and its structural formula is: Each triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsule, USP intended for oral administration contains 37.5 mg triamterene USP with 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide USP. In addition, each capsule contains the following inactive ingredients: citric acid monohydrate, colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, gelatin, glycine, hypromellose, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate and titanium dioxide. Each capsule is printed with black pharmaceutical ink which contains ferric oxide black, potassium hydroxide and shellac. Capsules of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide meet Drug Release Test 3 as published in the current USP monograph for Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide Capsules. image image

This fixed combination drug is not indicated for the initial therapy of edema or hypertension except in individuals in whom the development of hypokalemia cannot be risked. Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules are indicated for the treatment of hypertension or edema in patients who develop hypokalemia on hydrochlorothiazide alone. Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules are also indicated for those patients who require a thiazide diuretic and in whom the development of hypokalemia cannot be risked. Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules may be used alone or as an adjunct to other antihypertensive drugs, such as beta-blockers. Since triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules may enhance the action of these agents, dosage adjustments may be necessary. Usage in Pregnancy The routine use of diuretics in an otherwise healthy woman is inappropriate and exposes mother and fetus to unnecessary hazard. Diuretics do not prevent development of toxemia of pregnancy, and there is no satisfactory evidence that they are useful in the treatment of developed toxemia. Edema during pregnancy may arise from pathological causes or from the physiologic and mechanical consequences of pregnancy. Diuretics are indicated in pregnancy when edema is due to pathologic causes, just as they are in the absence of pregnancy. Dependent edema in pregnancy resulting from restriction of venous return by the expanded uterus is properly treated through elevation of the lower extremities and use of support hose; use of diuretics to lower intravascular volume in this case is illogical and unnecessary. There is hypervolemia during normal pregnancy which is harmful to neither the fetus nor the mother (in the absence of cardiovascular disease), but which is associated with edema, including generalized edema in the majority of pregnant women. If this edema produces discomfort, increased recumbency will often provide relief. In rare instances this edema may cause extreme discomfort which is not relieved by rest. In these cases, a short course of diuretics may provide relief and may be appropriate.

The usual dose of triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules is 1 or 2 capsules given once daily , with appropriate monitoring of serum potassium and of the clinical effect ( see WARNINGS, Hyperkalemia ).

Antikaliuretic Therapy and Potassium Supplementation Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules should not be given to patients receiving other potassium-sparing agents such as spironolactone, amiloride, or other formulations containing triamterene. Concomitant potassium-containing salt substitutes should also not be used. Potassium supplementation should not be used with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules except in severe cases of hypokalemia. Such concomitant therapy can be associated with rapid increases in serum potassium levels. If potassium supplementation is used, careful monitoring of the serum potassium level is necessary. Impaired Renal Function Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules are contraindicated in patients with anuria, acute and chronic renal insufficiency, or significant renal impairment. Hypersensitivity Hypersensitivity to either drug in the preparation or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs is a contraindication. Hyperkalemia Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules should not be used in patients with pre-existing elevated serum potassium. WARNINGS

Adverse effects are listed in decreasing order of severity. Hypersensitivity: Anaphylaxis, rash, urticaria, subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus-like reactions, photosensitivity. Cardiovascular: Arrhythmia, postural hypotension. Metabolic: Diabetes mellitus, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, acidosis, hypercalcemia, hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hyperuricemia, hypochloremia. Gastrointestinal: Jaundice and/or liver enzyme abnormalities, pancreatitis, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain. Renal: Acute renal failure (one case of irreversible renal failure has been reported), interstitial nephritis, renal stones composed primarily of triamterene, elevated BUN and serum creatinine, abnormal urinary sediment. Hematologic: Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia and purpura, megaloblastic anemia. Musculoskeletal: Muscle cramps. Central Nervous System: Weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, dry mouth. Miscellaneous: Impotence, sialadenitis. Thiazides alone have been shown to cause the following additional adverse reactions: Central Nervous System: Paresthesias, vertigo. Ophthalmic: Xanthopsia, transient blurred vision. Respiratory: Allergic pneumonitis, pulmonary edema, respiratory distress. Other: Necrotizing vasculitis, exacerbation of lupus. Hematologic: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, hemolytic anemia. Neonate and infancy: Thrombocytopenia and pancreatitis–rarely, in newborns whose mothers have received thiazides during pregnancy. Skin: Erythema multiforme, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome; exfoliative dermatitis, including toxic epidermal necrolysis. Postmarketing Experience Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Hydrochlorothiazide is associated with an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. In a study conducted in the Sentinel System, increased risk was predominantly for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in white patients taking large cumulative doses. The increased risk for SCC in the overall population was approximately 1 additional case per 16,000 patients per year, and for white patients taking a cumulative dose of ≥50,000 mg the risk increase was approximately 1 additional SCC case for every 6,700 patients per year. To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Viona Pharmaceuticals Inc. at 1-888-304-5011 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors Potassium-sparing agents should be used with caution in conjunction with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors due to an increased risk of hyperkalemia. Oral Hypoglycemic Drugs Concurrent use with chlorpropamide may increase the risk of severe hyponatremia. Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs A possible interaction resulting in acute renal failure has been reported in a few patients on triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules when treated with indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Caution is advised in administering nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules. Lithium Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics because they reduce its renal clearance and increase the risk of lithium toxicity. Read prescribing information for lithium preparations before use of such concomitant therapy with triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide capsules. Surgical Considerations Thiazides have been shown to decrease arterial responsiveness to norepinephrine (an effect attributed to loss of sodium). This diminution is not sufficient to preclude effectiveness of the pressor agent for therapeutic use. Thiazides have also been shown to increase the paralyzing effect of nondepolarizing muscle relaxants such as tubocurarine (an effect attributed to potassium loss); consequently, caution should be observed in patients undergoing surgery Other Considerations Concurrent use of hydrochlorothiazide with amphotericin B or corticosteroids or corticotropin (ACTH) may intensify electrolyte imbalance, particularly hypokalemia, although the presence of triamterene minimizes the hypokalemic effect. Thiazides may add to or potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs. See INDICATIONS AND USAGE for concomitant use with other antihypertensive drugs. The effect of oral anticoagulants may be decreased when used concurrently with hydrochlorothiazide; dosage adjustments may be necessary. Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide may raise the level of blood uric acid; dosage adjustments of antigout medication may be necessary to control hyperuricemia and gout. The following agents given together with triamterene may promote serum potassium accumulation and possibly result in hyperkalemia because of the potassium-sparing nature of triamterene, especially in patients with renal insufficiency: blood from blood bank (may contain potassium up to 30 mEq/L of plasma or up to 65 mEq/L of whole blood when stored for more than 10 days); low-salt milk (may contain potassium up to 60 mEq/L); potassium-containing medications (such as parenteral penicillin G potassium); salt substitutes (most contain substantial amounts of potassium). Exchange resins, such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate, whether administered orally or rectally, reduce serum potassium levels by sodium replacement of the potassium; fluid retention may occur in some patients because of the increased sodium intake. Chronic or overuse of laxatives may reduce serum potassium levels by promoting excessive potassium loss from the intestinal tract; laxatives may interfere with the potassium-retaining effects of triamterene. The effectiveness of methenamine may be decreased when used concurrently with hydrochlorothiazide because of alkalinization of the urine.