Indomethacin with Triamterene Interaction Details
Brand Names Associated with Indomethacin
- Indocin®
- Indomethacin
- Tivorbex®
Brand Names Associated with Triamterene
- Dyrenium®
- Triamterene
Medical Content Editor Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Last updated
Jan 02, 2024
Interaction Effect
Acute renal failure
Interaction Summary
Reversible acute renal failure has been reported with the use of maintenance indomethacin and triamterene. Concomitant use of indomethacin and triamterene is not advised .
Severity
Major
Onset
Delayed
Evidence
Probable
How To Manage Interaction
Reversible acute renal failure has been reported with the use of maintenance indomethacin and triamterene. Concomitant use of indomethacin and triamterene is not advised .
Mechanism Of Interaction
Decreased renal prostaglandin synthesis
Literature Reports
A) The effect of indomethacin in subjects treated with triamterene (200 mg daily) or spironolactone (300 mg daily) was investigated. Triamterene alone, but not spironolactone, provoked a rise in urinary prostaglandins E2 and F2 alpha. After indomethacin, urinary prostaglandins were suppressed. The natriuretic effect of spironolactone was reduced by 54%, whereas the natriuresis induced by triamterene was unchanged. No correlation was found between urinary prostaglandin E2 and F2 alpha and natriuresis. When triamterene was administered with indomethacin, 2 subjects developed reversible acute renal failure. Diflunisal, a structurally unrelated NSAID, was given to 12 of the subjects and provoked similar interactions with spironolactone. The results suggest that prostaglandins contribute to the natriuretic effects of spironolactone, but not to those of triamterene .
B) The formation of crystals and casts occurred in the medullary and papillary collecting ducts of the kidney. These findings provide a possible explanation for the reported nephrotoxicity of triamterene, particularly when given to patients who are receiving NSAIDs. The precipitation of crystals in acidic urine is unlikely to be a class effect of potassium-sparing diuretics, and acute renal failure as a result of cotherapy with NSAIDs and amiloride or spironolactone has not been reported .
Indomethacin Overview
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Indomethacin is used to relieve moderate to severe pain, tenderness, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (arthritis caused by a breakdown of the lining of the joints), rheumatoid arthritis (arthritis caused by swelling of the lining of the joints), and ankylosing spondylitis (arthritis that mainly affects the spine). Indomethacin is also used to treat pain in the shoulder caused by bursitis (inflammation of a fluid-filled sac in the shoulder joint) and tendinitis (inflammation of the tissue that connects muscle to bone). Indomethacin immediate-release capsules and suspension (liquid) are also used to treat acute gouty arthritis (attacks of severe joint pain and swelling caused by a build-up of certain substances in the joints). Indomethacin is in a class of medications called NSAIDs. It works by stopping the body's production of a substance that causes pain, fever, and inflammation.
Triamterene Overview
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Triamterene is used alone or with other medications to treat edema (fluid retention; excess fluid held in body tissues) caused by various conditions, including liver and heart disease. Triamterene is in a class of medications called diuretics ('water pills'). It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium.
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Definitions
Severity Categories
Contraindicated
These drugs, generally, should not be used together simultaneously due to the high risk of severe adverse effects. Combining these medications can lead to dangerous health outcomes and should be strictly avoided unless otherwise instructed by your provider.
Major
This interaction could result in very serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. If you are taking this drug combination, it is very important to be under close medical supervision to minimize severe side effects and ensure your safety. It may be necessary to change a medication or dosage to prevent harm.
Moderate
This interaction has the potential to worsen your medical condition or alter the effectiveness of your treatment. It's important that you are monitored closely and you potentially may need to make adjustments in your treatment plan or drug dosage to maintain optimal health.
Minor
While this interaction is unlikely to cause significant problems, it could intensify side effects or reduce the effectiveness of one or both medications. Monitoring for changes in symptoms and your condition is recommended, and adjustments may be made if needed to manage any increased or more pronounced side effects.
Onset
Rapid: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs within 24 hours of co-administration.
Delayed: Onset of drug interaction typically occurs more than 24 hours after co-administration.
Evidence
Level of documentation of the interaction.
Established: The interaction is documented and substantiated in peer-reviewed medical literature.
Theoretical: This interaction is not fully supported by current medical evidence or well-documented sources, but it is based on known drug mechanisms, drug effects, and other relevant information.
How To Manage The Interaction
Provides a detailed discussion on how patients and clinicians can approach the identified drug interaction as well as offers guidance on what to expect and strategies to potentially mitigate the effects of the interaction. This may include recommendations on adjusting medication dosages, altering the timing of drug administration, or closely monitoring for specific symptoms.
It's important to note that all medical situations are unique, and management approaches should be tailored to individual circumstances. Patients should always consult their healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance on managing drug interactions effectively.
Mechanism Of Interaction
The theorized or clinically determined reason (i.e., mechanism) why the drug-drug interaction occurs.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific circumstances and medical conditions.
Where Does Our Information Come From?
Information for our drug interactions is compiled from several drug compendia, including:
The prescribing information for each drug, as published on DailyMED, is also used.
Individual drug-drug interaction detail pages contain references specific to that interaction. You can click on the reference number within brackets '[]' to see what reference was utilized.
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