What is frumil?

Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.

Amiloride is used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).

Amiloride may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about frumil?

Do not use this medication if you have kidney disease, urination problems, or high levels of potassium in your blood. Do not use potassium supplements or other diuretics while you are taking frumil.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart or liver disease, or a breathing disorder.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of frumil.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.

Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking frumil.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking frumil?

Do not use this medication if you have:

• kidney disease or are unable to urinate;
• high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or
• if you are taking potassium supplements, or another potassium-sparing diuretic such Moduretic, spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide).

Before using frumil, tell your doctor if you have:

• diabetes;
• heart disease;
• cirrhosis or other liver disease;
• a breathing disorder; or
• if you are using another diuretic.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use frumil, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether frumil passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take frumil?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Take frumil with food.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Amiloride can interfere with the results of a glucose tolerance test. Stop using this medication for at least 3 days before you have this test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using frumil.

Store this medication at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not allow the tablets to freeze.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of an frumil overdose may include dizziness, thirst, feeling light-headed, slow heartbeat, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking frumil?

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of frumil. Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking frumil.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Amiloride side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• numbness or tingly feeling;
• muscle pain or weakness;
• slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat;
• feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• dry mouth, increased thirst, tiredness, nausea, vomiting;
• shallow breathing;
• tremors, confusion; or
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Continue using frumil and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• headache;
• mild nausea, loss of appetite;
• gas, stomach pain; or
• skin rash.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect frumil?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf);
• tacrolimus (Prograf);
• lithium;
• an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others; or
• indomethacin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use frumil, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect frumil. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.