Triamterene Dosing

For those who are being treated for fluid retention with triamterene, dosing typically starts at 100 mg, taken twice a day after meals. Your healthcare provider can increase your daily dose up to 300 mg a day, if necessary. For the medication to work properly, you must follow your healthcare provider's triamterene dosing guidelines as prescribed.

 

An Introduction to Triamterene Dosing

The dose of triamterene (Dyrenium®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • How you respond to triamterene.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Triamterene Dosing for Water Retention

The recommended starting dose of triamterene when treating fluid retention is 100 mg, taken twice daily after meals. Your healthcare provider may increase your dose if necessary, up to a maximum of 300 mg per day. When triamterene is taken with another diuretic, the dose of both medications should be reduced.
 
If you are switching to triamterene from another diuretic (or adding triamterene to a diuretic that you are currently taking), your healthcare provider should have you stop taking any potassium supplements.
 

General Information on Dosing With Triamterene

Considerations for people taking triamterene include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in capsule form. It is usually taken by mouth twice a day after meals.
     
  • Triamterene should be taken at the same times each day to maintain an even level in your blood.
     
  • Because triamterene increases urination, it is best to take your last dose before 6 p.m. (to avoid needing to get up to use the bathroom throughout the night), unless your healthcare provider instructs you otherwise.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Triamterene will not work if you stop taking it.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to triamterene or triamterene dosing, please talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. Do not stop taking the drug without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;