Consumer medicine information

Moduretic

Amiloride hydrochloride; Hydrochlorothiazide

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Moduretic

Active ingredient

Amiloride hydrochloride; Hydrochlorothiazide

Schedule

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about MODURETIC. It does not contain all the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking MODURETIC against the benefits they expect it will have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

What MODURETIC is used for

MODURETIC contains a combination of two diuretics, amiloride hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide as the active ingredients.

MODURETIC is used to help reduce the amount of excess fluid in the body for people who have:

oedema, swelling of the ankles, feet and legs
ascites due to liver disease resulting in fluid accumulation in the stomach area.

MODURETIC is also used to help people with hypertension or high blood pressure.

Everyone has blood pressure. This pressure helps get your blood all around your body. Your blood pressure may be different at different times of the day, depending on how busy or worried you are. You have hypertension or high blood pressure when your blood pressure stays higher than is needed, even when you are calm and relaxed.

There are usually no symptoms of hypertension. The only way of knowing that you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked on a regular basis. If high blood pressure is not treated it can lead to serious health problems. You may feel fine and have no symptoms, but eventually hypertension can cause stroke, heart disease and kidney failure.

The combination of active ingredients in MODURETIC work by making your kidneys pass more water and salt whilst minimizing potassium loss. This helps reduce high blood pressure and some forms of swelling, while at the same time helping to maintain normal levels of potassium in your blood.

Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you. Your doctor may have prescribed it for another purpose.

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

There is no evidence that it is addictive.

Before you take it

When you must not take it

Do not take MODURETIC if you have ever had an allergic reaction to:

amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate
hydrochlorothiazide, sulfonamide or sulfur medicines
Hydrochlorothiazide is a sulfur-containing medicine (a sulfonamide). Therefore, if you are allergic to sulfur medicines, such as some antibiotics, you are likely to be allergic to MODURETIC.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether you are allergic to sulfur medicines.
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or any other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.

Do not take MODURETIC if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant unless you and your doctor have discussed the risks and benefits involved. It may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.

Do not take MODURETIC if you are breast-feeding or intend to breast-feed. This medicine can pass into breast milk and therefore may harm the baby.

Do not take MODURETIC if:

you have kidney disease
your doctor advises you that you have too much potassium in your blood
you are taking medicines which can increase the amount of potassium in the blood or you are eating a potassium-rich diet.
MODURETIC helps maintain normal levels of potassium in your blood. If you are taking potassium tablets or supplements, other potassium-conserving medicines or a potassium-rich diet, your potassium levels may increase too much.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure whether you are taking any of these.

Do not give MODURETIC to a child. The safety of MODURETIC in children has not been established.

Do not take MODURETIC if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines or any foods, dyes or preservatives.

Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:

high potassium levels in the blood
diabetes
liver disease
kidney disease
heart and lung disease
high cholesterol
gout
asthma
lupus erythematosus.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

Some medicines and MODURETIC may interfere with each other. These include:

potassium tablets or other potassium-conserving medicines
ACE inhibitors, medicines used to treat high blood pressure
other medicines used to treat high blood pressure
other fluid tablets (diuretics)
digoxin, used to treat heart failure
lithium, used to treat severe mood swings and some types of depression
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), used to treat inflammation, pain and arthritis
steroid medicines such as cortisone, prednisone
insulin and tablets used to treat diabetes
cyclosporin and tacrolimus, medicines used to suppress the immune system
barbiturates, used to treat epilepsy, such as phenobarbitone
strong pain killers such as codeine, morphine, dextroproxyphene
cholestyramine and colestipol, used to treat high cholesterol
medicines used to relax muscles before and during surgery
medicines used in emergency situations such as adrenaline
alcohol.

These medicines may be affected by MODURETIC or may affect how well it works. You may need to take different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or to avoid while taking MODURETIC.

How to take it

How much to take

Your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to take each day.

This depends on your condition and whether you are taking other medicines. Your initial dose will be maintained or adjusted until a satisfactory response is noted, but should not exceed 4 tablets per day.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.

When to take it

If you are taking a single dose a day, take it in the morning. If you are taking more than one dose a day, take the last dose in the early evening, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. MODURETIC may increase the amount of urine you pass and the number of times you go to the toilet. By taking the last dose in the early evening there may be less chance of your sleep being disturbed.

Take MODURETIC at about the same time each day, unless your doctor tells you otherwise. This will help you remember when to take the tablets.

How long to take it

Continue taking MODURETIC for as long as your doctor tells you. If you have high blood pressure, this medicine helps to control this condition but does not cure it. Therefore MODURETIC must be taken every day.

If you have oedema or ascites, your doctor will tell you how long to take it.

If you forget to take it

If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia) or 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766 (New Zealand) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much MODURETIC. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need medical attention.

While you are taking it

Things you must do

Visit your doctor regularly for a blood pressure test so they can make sure that MODURETIC is working properly and to check for any unwanted side effects.

If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. You may feel light-headed or dizzy when you begin to take MODURETIC. This is because your blood pressure is falling suddenly.

If this problem gets worse or continues, talk to your doctor.

Have regular skin cancer checks.

Treatment with Moduretic may increase the risk of some types of skin and lip cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer).

If you plan to have surgery (even at the dentist) that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking MODURETIC.

Tell any other doctor, dentist of pharmacist who is treating you that you are taking MODURETIC, especially if you are about to be started on any new medicines.

Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking MODURETIC.

Things to be careful of

Protect your skin from sun exposure and UV rays while taking Moduretic if you have had skin cancer or if you develop an unexpected skin lesion while taking Moduretic.

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. MODURETIC may cause dizziness or light-headedness in some people, especially after the first few doses or if the dose is increased. Make sure you know how you react to it before you drive a car, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or light-headed.

If you drink alcohol, or take strong pain killers or barbiturates, dizziness and light-headedness may be worse.

Talk to your doctor about foods or drinks that have a high potassium content. MODURETIC helps to maintain normal potassium levels in your body. However, if you eat foods or have drinks that are high in potassium this may lead to an increase of potassium in your body. Too much potassium can be harmful, therefore it is important to discuss your diet with your doctor.

Tell your doctor if you are being treated for diabetes. MODURETIC may change how well your diabetes is controlled. Your doses of diabetic medicines, including insulin, may need to change.

Things that would be helpful for your blood pressure Some self-help measures suggested below may help your blood pressure.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about these measures and for more information.

Alcohol
your doctor may advise you to limit your alcohol intake.
Diet
eat a healthy diet which includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, bread, cereals and fish. Also eat less fat and sugar.
Exercise
regular exercise helps to reduce blood pressure. Try regular walking, swimming, cycling or games such as tennis and golf. Before starting any exercise, ask your doctor about the best kind of programme for you.
Salt
your doctor may advise you to watch the amount of salt in your diet. To reduce your salt intake you should avoid using salt in cooking or at the table.
Smoking
your doctor may advise you to stop smoking or at least cut down.
Weight
your doctor may suggest losing some weight to help lower your blood pressure. Some people may need a dietician's help to lose weight.

Side Effects

Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking MODURETIC. MODURETIC helps most people with high blood pressure or some forms of swelling, but it may have unwanted side-effects in a few people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite
diarrhoea, constipation, stomach pain, wind
dry mouth, thirst
dizziness or lightheadedness
weakness, drowsiness
restlessness
transient blurred vision or yellow vision
passing less urine than normal.

Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:

muscle cramps
severe dizziness, spinning sensation
fainting
signs of frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers
bruising or bleeding more easily than normal, nose bleeds
tiredness, headaches, being short of breath when exercising, looking pale
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes, also called jaundice
numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
skin rash, itchiness
lesion or sore on the lips or on the skin that does not heal
changes in the way your heart beats.

These may be serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention.

Serious side effects are rare.

If any of the following happen, stop taking MODURETIC and tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:

swelling of the face, lips, mouth, throat or tongue which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing
shortness of breath
pinkish, itchy swellings on the skin, also called hives or nettlerash
severe skin reaction which starts with painful red areas, then large blisters and ends with peeling of layers of skin. This is accompanied by fever and chills, aching muscles and generally feeling unwell
vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
bleeding from the back passage, black, sticky bowel motions (stools) or bloody diarrhoea
chest pain or tightness.

These are serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell, even if you think the problems are not connected with this medicine and are not referred to in this leaflet. Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

After taking it

Storage

Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.

Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.

Do not store it or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink. Do not leave it in the car or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking MODURETIC or the tablets have passed their expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.

Product description

What it looks like

MODURETIC tablets are plain, peach, diamond shaped, compressed tablets.

Available in packs of 50 tablets.

Ingredients

Active ingredients:

Each MODURETIC tablet contains amiloride hydrochloride dihydrate 5 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg.

Inactive ingredients:

calcium hydrogen phosphate
lactose
starch-pregelatinised maize
starch-maize
guar gum
magnesium stearate
sunset yellow FCF CI15985.

MODURETIC tablets do not contain sucrose, gluten or tartrazine.

Sponsor

In Australia:

Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065

In New Zealand:

Pharmacy Retailing (NZ) Limited
t/a Healthcare Logistics
58 Richard Pearse Drive
Airport Oaks Auckland

Australian Registration Number:

AUST R 10499

This leaflet was revised in December 2019

Published by MIMS March 2020

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Moduretic

Active ingredient

Amiloride hydrochloride; Hydrochlorothiazide

Schedule

1 Name of Medicine

Amiloride HCl dihydrate and hydrochlorothiazide.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Each Moduretic tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: lactose monohydrate, calcium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate, maize starch, guar gum, pregelatinised maize starch, magnesium stearate and sunset yellow FCF lake CI15985.

Excipients with known effect.

Sugars as lactose.
Moduretic tablets are plain, peach, diamond shaped, compressed tablets, containing hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg and amiloride HCl 5 mg.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

See Section 2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Moduretic is indicated in the treatment of patients with:
oedema of cardiac origin; hepatic cirrhosis with ascites; hypertension in whom potassium depletion might be anticipated.
Moduretic, with its combination of amiloride HCl and hydrochlorothiazide, minimises the possibility of the development of excessive potassium loss in patients during vigorous diuresis for prolonged periods. Moduretic, with its built-in potassium sparing agent, is especially indicated in those conditions where the positive effect on potassium balance is particularly important.
Moduretic may be used alone, or as an adjunct to other antihypertensive drugs. Since it enhances the action of these agents, the dosage of these antihypertensive drugs may need to be reduced to avoid the risk of an excessive drop in blood pressure.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Moduretic tablets are available for oral use containing 5 mg amiloride HCl and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide.

Oedema of cardiac origin.

Moduretic may be started at a dosage of 1 or 2 tablets a day. Dosage may be increased if necessary, but must not exceed four tablets a day. The optimal dosage is determined by the diuretic response and the serum potassium level. Once an initial diuresis has been achieved, reduction in dosage should be attempted for maintenance therapy. Maintenance therapy may be on an intermittent basis.

Hypertension.

The usual dosage is one or two tablets given once a day or in divided doses. The dosage may be increased if necessary, but must not exceed four tablets a day.

Hepatic cirrhosis with ascites.

(See Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).
Treatment should be initiated with a small dose of Moduretic (1 tablet once a day). If necessary, dosage may be increased gradually until there is effective diuresis. The dosage should not exceed four tablets per day.
Maintenance doses may be lower than those required to initiate diuresis; therefore, reduction in the daily dose should be attempted when the patient's weight is stabilised. Gradual weight reduction in cirrhotic patients is especially desirable to reduce the likelihood of untoward reactions associated with diuretic therapy.

4.3 Contraindications

Hyperkalaemia.

Moduretic should not be used in the presence of elevated plasma potassium levels (interpreted as over 5.5 mmol/L).

Antikaliuretic therapy or potassium supplementation.

Other antikaliuretic agents and potassium supplements or a potassium rich diet are contraindicated in patients receiving Moduretic (such combination therapy is commonly associated with rapid increases in plasma potassium levels).

Impaired renal function.

Anuria, acute renal failure, severe progressive renal disease, and diabetic nephropathy are contraindications to the use of Moduretic. Patients with increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) over 10.7 mmol/L, in serum creatinine levels over 0.13 mmol/L, or in whole blood urea values over 10.0 mmol/L, should not receive the drug without careful, frequent monitoring of serum electrolytes and BUN levels. Potassium retention in the presence of renal impairment is accentuated by the addition of an antikaliuretic agent and may result in the rapid development of hyperkalaemia.

Known sensitivity to the drug.

Moduretic is contraindicated in patients who are hypersensitive to this product or to other sulphonamide derived drugs.

In children.

The safety for use of amiloride HCl in children has not been established; therefore, Moduretic is not recommended in the paediatric age group.
(See Section 4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation).

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Non-melanoma skin cancer.

An increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)) with increasing cumulative dose of hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) exposure has been observed in two epidemiological studies based on the Danish National Cancer Registry, see Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials. Photosensitizing actions of HCTZ could act as a possible mechanism for NMSC.
Patients taking HCTZ should be informed of the risk of NMSC and advised to regularly check their skin for any new lesions and promptly report any suspicious skin lesions. Possible preventive measures such as limited exposure to sunlight and UV rays and, in case of exposure, adequate protection should be advised to the patients in order to minimize the risk of skin cancer. Suspicious skin lesions should be promptly examined potentially including histological examinations of biopsies. The use of HCTZ may also need to be reconsidered in patients who have experienced previous NMSC (also see Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)).

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Severe cases of acute respiratory toxicity, including ARDS have been reported after taking hydrochlorothiazide. Pulmonary oedema typically develops within minutes to hours after hydrochlorothiazide intake. At the onset, symptoms include dyspnoea, fever, pulmonary deterioration and hypotension. If diagnosis of ARDS is suspected, Moduretic should be withdrawn and appropriate treatment given. Hydrochlorothiazide should not be administered to patients who previously experienced ARDS following hydrochlorothiazide intake.

Hyperkalaemia.

Hyperkalaemia, defined as serum potassium levels over 5.5 mmol/L, has been observed in patients who received amiloride HCl either alone or in combination with other diuretic drugs. This has been noted particularly in aged patients, diabetic patients and in hospitalised patients with hepatic cirrhosis or cardiac oedema who have known renal involvement, are seriously ill or are undergoing vigorous diuretic therapy. These patients should be monitored carefully for clinical, laboratory and electrocardiographic (ECG) evidence of hyperkalaemia. Some deaths have been reported in this group of patients.
Warning signs of hyperkalaemia include paraesthesiae, muscular weakness, fatigue, flaccid paralysis of the extremities, bradycardia, shock, and serum potassium and ECG abnormalities. Careful monitoring of the plasma potassium level is important because hyperkalaemia is not always associated with an abnormal electrocardiogram.
When abnormal, the electrocardiogram in hyperkalaemia is characterised primarily by tall, peaked T waves or elevations from previous tracings. There may also be lowering of the R wave and increased depth of the S wave, widening and even disappearance of the P wave, progressive widening of the QRS complex, and prolongation of the PR interval and ST depression.

Treatment of hyperkalaemia.

Should hyperkalaemia occur in patients taking Moduretic, the drug should be discontinued immediately and, if necessary, active measures taken to reduce the plasma potassium level. Discontinuation of antikaliuretic therapy should be followed by intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate solution, or oral or parenteral glucose with a rapid acting insulin. If needed, a cation exchange resin such as sodium polystyrene sulphonate may be given orally or by enema. Patients with persistent hyperkalaemia may require dialysis.

Diabetes mellitus.

In diabetic patients, hyperkalaemia has commonly occurred during therapy with amiloride HCl, particularly if chronic renal disease or prerenal azotaemia is present. Therefore, before initiating therapy in diabetic or suspected diabetic patients, the status of renal function should be known. Moduretic should be discontinued for at least three days before glucose tolerance testing.
Insulin requirements in diabetic patients may be increased, decreased or unchanged due to the hydrochlorothiazide component. Diabetes mellitus which has been latent may become manifest during thiazide administration.

Metabolic or respiratory acidosis.

Antikaliuretic therapy should be instituted only with caution in severely ill patients in whom respiratory or metabolic acidosis may occur, such patients with cardiopulmonary disease and patients with decompensated diabetes. Shifts in acid-base balance alter the balance of extracellular/ intracellular potassium and the development of acidosis may be associated with rapid increases in serum potassium levels.

Electrolyte imbalance and reversible BUN increases.

Determination of serum electrolytes to detect possible electrolyte imbalance should be performed at appropriate intervals.
Patients should be observed for clinical signs of fluid or electrolyte imbalance: i.e. hyponatraemia, hypochloraemic alkalosis, hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. It is particularly important to make serum and urine electrolyte determinations when the patient is vomiting excessively or receiving parenteral fluids. Warning signs or symptoms of fluid and electrolyte imbalance include: dryness of mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy, drowsiness, restlessness, seizures, confusion, muscle pains or cramps, muscular fatigue, hypotension, oliguria, tachycardia, and gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea and vomiting.
Hyponatraemia and hypochloraemia may occur during the use of thiazide and other oral diuretics even when amiloride HCl is used. Any chloride deficit during thiazide therapy is generally mild and may be lessened by the amiloride HCl component of Moduretic. Hypochloraemia usually does not require specific treatment except under extraordinary circumstances (as in liver disease or renal disease). Dilutional hyponatraemia may occur in oedematous patients in hot weather; appropriate therapy is water restriction, rather than administration of salt, except in rare instances when the hyponatraemia is life threatening. In actual salt depletion, appropriate replacement is the therapy of choice.
Hypokalaemia may develop during thiazide therapy, especially with brisk diuresis, when severe cirrhosis is present, during concomitant use of corticosteroids or ACTH, or after prolonged therapy. However this is usually prevented by the amiloride HCl component of Moduretic.
Interference with adequate oral electrolyte intake will also contribute to hypokalaemia. Hypokalaemia may cause cardiac arrhythmia and may sensitise or exaggerate the response of the heart to the toxic effects of digitalis (e.g. increased ventricular irritability).
Reversible increases in BUN levels have been reported; these have accompanied vigorous fluid elimination, especially when diuretic combinations were used in seriously ill patients, such as those who have hepatic cirrhosis with ascites and metabolic alkalosis, or those with resistant oedema. Therefore, careful monitoring of serum electrolytes and BUN levels is important when Moduretic is given to such patients.

Choroidal effusion, acute myopia and secondary angle-closure glaucoma.

Hydrochlorothiazide, a sulfonamide can cause an idiosyncratic reaction resulting in choroidal effusion with visual field defect, transient myopia and acute angle-closure glaucoma.
Symptoms include acute onset of decreased visual acuity or ocular pain and typically occur within hours to weeks of drug initiation. Untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. The primary treatment is to discontinue drug intake as rapidly as possible. Prompt medical or surgical treatments may need to be considered if the intraocular pressure remains uncontrolled. Risk factors for developing acute angle-closure glaucoma may include a history of sulfonamide or penicillin allergy.

Azotaemia.

As azotaemia may be precipitated or increased by hydrochlorothiazide, special caution is necessary in patients with impaired renal function to avoid cumulative or toxic effects of the components. If increasing azotaemia and oliguria occur during treatment, Moduretic should be discontinued.

Use in hepatic impairment.

In patients with pre-existing severe liver disease, hepatic encephalopathy, manifested by tremors, confusion, and coma, and increased jaundice have been reported in association with diuretic therapy including amiloride HCl and hydrochlorothiazide.

Metabolic.

Hyperuricaemia may occur or gout may be precipitated in certain patients receiving thiazide therapy.
Because calcium excretion is decreased by thiazides, Moduretic should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function. Pathological changes in the parathyroid glands, with hypercalcaemia and hypophosphataemia, have been observed in a few patients on prolonged thiazide therapy; however, the common complications of hyperparathyroidism such as renal lithiasis, bone resorption and peptic ulceration have not been seen.
Increases in cholesterol and triglyceride levels may be associated with thiazide diuretic therapy.

Sensitivity reactions.

Sensitivity reactions to thiazides may occur in patients with or without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma.
The possibility of exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported with the use of thiazides.

Use in the elderly.

No data available.

Paediatric use.

The safety for use of amiloride HCl in children has not been established; therefore, Moduretic is not recommended in the paediatric age group. See Section 4.3 Contraindications.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors/ amiloride HCl.

When amiloride HCl is administered concomitantly with an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, cyclosporine or tacrolimus, the risk of hyperkalaemia may be increased. Therefore, if concomitant use of these agents is indicated because of demonstrated hypokalaemia, they should be used with caution and with frequent monitoring of serum potassium.

Thiazide diuretic.

When given concurrently, the following drugs may interact with thiazide diuretics.

Alcohol, barbiturates or narcotics.

Potentiation of orthostatic hypotension may occur.

Antidiabetic drugs (oral agents and insulin).

Dosage adjustment of the antidiabetic drug may be required.

Other antihypertensive drugs.

Additive effect. Diuretic therapy should be discontinued for 2-3 days prior to initiation of therapy with an ACE inhibitor to reduce the likelihood of first dose hypotension.

Corticosteroids, ACTH.

Intensified electrolyte depletion, particularly hypokalaemia.

Pressor amines (e.g. noradrenaline).

Possible decreased response to pressor amines but not sufficient to preclude their use.

Skeletal muscle relaxants, nondepolarising (e.g. tubocurarine).

Possible increased responsiveness to the muscle relaxant.

Lithium.

Generally should not be given with diuretics. Diuretic agents reduce the renal clearance of lithium and add a high risk of lithium toxicity. Refer to the package inserts for lithium preparations before use of such preparations.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (COX-2 inhibitors) may reduce the effect of diuretics and other antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, the antihypertensive effect of angiotensin II receptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors may be attenuated by NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors.
In some patients, the administration of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent including a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor can reduce the diuretic, natriuretic and antihypertensive effects of diuretics. Concomitant administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and potassium sparing agents, including amiloride HCl may cause hyperkalemia and renal failure, particularly in elderly patients. Therefore, when amiloride HCl is used concomitantly with NSAIDs, renal function and serum potassium levels should be carefully monitored.
In some patients with compromised renal function (e.g. elderly patients or patients who are volume depleted, including those on diuretic therapy) who are being treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors, the coadministration of angiotensin II receptor antagonists or ACE inhibitors may result in a further deterioration of renal function, including possible acute renal failure. These effects are usually reversible.
These interactions should be considered in patients taking NSAIDs including selective COX-2 inhibitors concomitantly with diuretics and angiotensin II antagonists or ACE inhibitors. Therefore, the combination should be administered with caution, especially in the elderly.

Combination use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists, anti-inflammatory drugs and thiazide diuretics.

The use of an ACE inhibiting drug (ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor antagonist), an anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor) and a thiazide diuretic at the same time increases the risk of renal impairment. This includes use in fixed combination products containing more than one class of drug. Combined use of these medications should be accompanied by increased monitoring of serum creatinine, particularly at the institution of the combination. The combination of drugs from these three classes should be used with caution, particularly in elderly patients or those with pre-existing renal impairment.

Cholestyramine and colestipol resins.

Absorption of hydrochlorothiazide is impaired in the presence of anionic exchange resins. Single dose of either cholestyramine or colestipol resins bind the hydrochlorothiazide and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by up to 85 and 43%, respectively.

Drug/ laboratory test interactions.

Because of their effects on calcium metabolism, thiazides may interfere with tests for parathyroid function (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

No data available.
(Category C)
Drugs which, owing to their pharmacological effects, have caused or may be suspected of causing, harmful effects on the human fetus or neonate without causing malformations. These effects may be reversible. Accompanying texts should be consulted for further details.
Thiazides, related diuretics and loop diuretic enter the fetal circulation and may cause electrolyte disturbances. Neonatal thrombocytopenia has been reported with thiazides and related diuretics. Loop diuretics like frusemide and bumetanide are probably also associated with this risk. During the latter part of pregnancy products of this type should therefore only be given on sound indications and then in the lowest effective dose.
Because clinical experience is limited, Moduretic is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Thiazides cross the placental barrier and appear in the cord blood. Therefore, the use of Moduretic when pregnancy is present or suspected requires that the potential benefits of the drug must be weighed against possible hazards to the foetus. These hazards include foetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia and possibly other side effects that have occurred in the adult.
The routine use of diuretics in otherwise healthy pregnant women with or without mild oedema is not indicated.
Thiazides appear in breast milk. If use of the drug is deemed essential, the patient should stop nursing.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

The effect of Moduretic on ability to drive and use machines has not been studied. However, when driving or operating machinery it should be taken into account that with antihypertensive therapy, occasionally dizziness or drowsiness may occur. See Section 4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects).

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

Moduretic is usually well tolerated. Although minor adverse reactions have been reported relatively frequently, significant adverse effects have been reported infrequently.
Adverse effects that have been reported with Moduretic are generally those known to be associated with diuresis, thiazide therapy, or with the underlying disease being treated. Clinical trials have not demonstrated that combining amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide increases the risk of adverse reactions over those seen with the individual components.

Moduretic.

Body as a whole.

Headache, weakness, fatigue, malaise, chest pain, back pain, syncope.

Cardiovascular.

Arrhythmia, tachycardia, digitalis toxicity, orthostatic hypotension, angina pectoris.

Digestive.

Nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, GI bleeding, appetite changes, abdominal fullness, flatulence, thirst, hiccups.

Metabolic.

Elevated serum potassium levels (> 5.5 mmol/L), electrolyte imbalance, hyponatraemia, gout, dehydration, symptomatic hyponatraemia.

Integumentary.

Rash, pruritus, flushing, diaphoresis.

Musculoskeletal.

Leg ache, muscle cramps, joint pain.

Nervous.

Dizziness, vertigo, paraesthesia, stupor.

Psychiatric.

Insomnia, nervousness, mental confusion, depression, sleepiness.

Respiratory.

Dyspnoea.

Special senses.

Bad taste, visual disturbance, nasal congestion.

Urogenital.

Impotence, dysuria, nocturia, incontinence, renal dysfunction including renal failure.
Other adverse effects that have been reported with the individual components are listed below.

Amiloride.

Body as a whole.

Neck/ shoulder ache, pain in extremities.

Digestive.

Abnormal liver function, activation of probable pre-existing peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, jaundice.

Integumentary.

Dry mouth, alopecia, diaphoresis.

Nervous.

Tremors, encephalopathy.

Haematologic.

Aplastic anaemia, neutropenia.

Cardiovascular.

One patient with a partial heart block developed complete heart block, palpitation.

Psychiatric.

Decreased libido, somnolence.

Respiratory.

Cough.

Special senses.

Tinnitus, increased intraocular pressure.

Urogenital.

Polyuria, urinary frequency, bladder spasm.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

Body as a whole.

Anaphylactic reaction, fever.

Cardiovascular.

Necrotising angiitis (vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis).

Digestive.

Jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice), pancreatitis, cramping, gastric irritation.

Endocrine/ metabolic.

Glycosuria, hyperglycaemia, hyperuricaemia, hypokalemia.

Haematologic.

Agranulocytosis, aplastic anaemia, haemolytic anaemia, leucopenia, purpura, thrombocytopenia.

Integumentary.

Photosensitivity, sialadenitis, urticaria, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Psychiatric.

Restlessness.

Renal.

Interstitial nephritis.

Respiratory.

Respiratory distress including pneumonitis and pulmonary oedema.

Eye disorders.

Choroidal effusion, acute myopia and acute angle-closure glaucoma (frequency not known). Cases of choroidal effusion with visual field defect have been reported after the use of thiazide diuretics.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Special senses.

Transient blurred vision, xanthopsia.

Neoplasms benign, malignant and unspecified (including cysts and polyps).

Frequency 'not known': nonmelanoma skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma) (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use; Section 5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties, Clinical trials).

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

No data are available with regard to overdosage in humans. The oral LD₅₀ of the combination drug is 189 and 422 mg/kg for female mice and female rats, respectively. It is not known whether the drug is dialysable.
No specific information is available on the treatment of overdosage with Moduretic and no specific antidote is available. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Therapy with Moduretic should be discontinued and the patient observed closely.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poison Information Centre on 131126 (Australia).

Amiloride HCl.

No data are available in regard to overdosage in humans.
The oral LD₅₀ of amiloride hydrochloride (calculated as the base) is 56 mg/kg in mice and 36 to 85 mg/kg in rats, depending on the strain.
The most common signs and symptoms to be expected with overdosage are dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. If hyperkalaemia occurs, active measures should be taken to reduce the serum potassium levels.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

The oral LD₅₀ of hydrochlorothiazide is greater than 10.0 g/kg in both mice and rats.
The most common signs and symptoms observed are those caused by electrolyte depletion (hypokalaemia, hypochloraemia, hyponatraemia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. If digitalis has been administered, hypokalaemia may accentuate cardiac arrhythmias.

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Moduretic (amiloride HCl and hydrochlorothiazide) combines the potassium conserving action of amiloride HCl with the natriuretic action of hydrochlorothiazide.
Moduretic provides diuretic and antihypertensive activity (principally due to the hydrochlorothiazide component), while acting through the amiloride component to prevent the excessive potassium loss that may occur in patients receiving a thiazide diuretic. Due to its amiloride component, the urinary excretion of magnesium is less with Moduretic than with a thiazide or loop diuretic used alone (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use). The onset of the diuretic action of Moduretic is within 1 to 2 hours and this action appears to be sustained for approximately 24 hours.

Amiloride HCl.

Amiloride HCl is a potassium conserving (antikaliuretic) drug that possesses weak (compared to the thiazide diuretics) natriuretic, diuretic and antihypertensive activity. These effects have been partially additive to the effects of thiazide diuretics in some clinical studies. Amiloride HCl has potassium conserving activity in patients receiving kaliuretic diuretic agents.
Amiloride HCl is not an aldosterone antagonist and the effects are seen even in the absence of aldosterone.
Amiloride HCl 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. This mechanism accounts in large part for the potassium sparing action of amiloride.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of thiazides is unknown. Hydrochlorothiazide does not usually affect normal blood pressure.
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic and antihypertensive agent. It affects the renal tubular mechanism of electrolyte reabsorption. Hydrochlorothiazide increases excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. Natriuresis may be accompanied by some loss of potassium and bicarbonate.

Clinical trials.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer.

Based on available data from epidemiological studies, cumulative dose-dependent association between HCTZ and NMSC has been observed. One study included a population comprised of 71553 cases of BCC and of 8629 cases of SCC matched to 1 430 883 and 172 462 population controls, respectively. High HCTZ use (≥ 50,000 mg cumulative) was associated with an adjusted OR of 1.29 (95% CI: 1.23-1.35) for BCC and 3.98 (95% CI: 3.68-4.31) for SCC. A clear cumulative dose response relationship was observed for both BCC and SCC. Another study showed a possible association between lip cancer (SCC) and exposure to HCTZ: 633 cases of lip-cancer were matched with 63,067 population controls, using a risk-set sampling strategy. A cumulative dose-response relationship was demonstrated with an adjusted OR 2.1 (95% CI: 1.7-2.6) increasing to OR 3.9 (3.0-4.9) for high use (~25,000 mg) and OR 7.7 (5.7-10.5) for the highest cumulative dose (100,000 mg) (also see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use).

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

Amiloride HCl.

Amiloride HCl usually begins to act within two hours after an oral dose. Its effect on electrolyte excretion reaches a peak between 6 and 10 hours and lasts about 24 hours. Peak plasma levels are obtained in 3 to 4 hours and the plasma half-life varies from 6 to 9 hours. Effects on electrolytes increase with single doses of amiloride HCl up to approximately 15 mg.
Amiloride HCl is not metabolised by the liver but is excreted unchanged by the kidneys. About 50% of a 20 mg dose of amiloride HCl is excreted in the urine and 40% in the stool within 72 hours. Amiloride HCl has little effect on glomerular filtration rate or renal blood flow. Because amiloride HCl is not metabolised by the liver, drug accumulation is not anticipated in patients with hepatic dysfunction, but accumulation can occur if the hepatorenal syndrome develops.

Hydrochlorothiazide.

After oral use, diuresis begins within two hours, peaks in about four hours and lasts about 6 to 12 hours.
Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolised but is eliminated rapidly by the kidney. When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 and 14.8 hours. At least 61% of the oral dose is eliminated unchanged within 24 hours. Hydrochlorothiazide crosses the placenta but not the blood brain barrier and is excreted in breast milk.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

No data available.

Carcinogenicity.

No data available.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

6.2 Incompatibilities

Incompatibilities were either not assessed or not identified as part of the registration of the medicine. See Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions.

6.3 Shelf Life

2 years.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

Store below 30°C.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

Blister pack (PVC/PVDC/Al) containing 50 tablets.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical structure.

Amiloride HCl is a pyrazinecarbonylguanidine that is unrelated chemically to other known diuretic or antikaliuretic agents. It is not acidic like the thiazides or ethacrynic acid, but is the salt of a moderately strong base, amiloride, pKa 8.7. Its chemical name is 3,5-diamino- N-(aminoimineomethyl)- 6-chloropyrazinecarboxamide monohydrochloride and its structure is as follows:
C₆H₈ClN₇O.HCl.

CAS number.

17440-83-4.

Chemical structure.

Hydrochlorothiazide is the 3,4-dihydro derivative of chlorothiazide (Chlotride). It is a white, or practically white, crystalline compound, slightly soluble in water, but freely soluble in sodium hydroxide solution. Its chemical name is 6-chloro-3,4-dihydro- 2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine- 7-sulphonamide 1,1-dioxide and its structure is as follows:
C₇H₈ClN₃O₄S₂.

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Moduretic

Amiloride hydrochloride; Hydrochlorothiazide

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Moduretic 5/ 50 mg