Co-amilozide explained

Co-amilozide (BAN) is a non-proprietary combination of amiloride and hydrochlorothiazide. Co-amilozide is used in the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure with the tendency of the thiazide to cause low potassium levels (hypokalaemia) offset by the potassium-sparing effects of amiloride.

Formulation

Two strengths of co-amilozide are currently available in the UK:^[1]

• 2.5 mg amiloride and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide, BAN of Co-amilozide 2.5/25 (brand name Moduret 25)
• 5 mg amiloride and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide, BAN of Co-amilozide 5/50 (brand name Moduretic)

In North America:

• Moduretic (U.S., Canada)
  • Moduretic 5-50 (U.S., Canada)
• Novamilor (Canada)

Side effects

The most common side effect is headache (about 8% of people taking it) and nausea, loss of appetite, weakness, rash and dizziness (each about 3%).

Common side effects (1/10 - 1/100) include:^[2]

• General: weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness.
• Circulatory system: arrhythmia.
• Gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
• Skin: exanthema, itching.
• Respiratory system: shortness of breath, cough.
• Metabolic: elevated blood sugar in diabetic patients, elevated uric acid levels in the blood.
• Musculoskeletal: pain in the limbs.

Notes and References

1. [British National Formulary]
2. http://www.fass.se/LIF/produktfakta/artikel_produkt.jsp?NplID=19860626000024&DocTypeID=7&UserTypeID=2 the Swedish official drug catalog > Normorix