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hydrochlorothiazide vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

Side-by-side comparison of hydrochlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

major Known Drug Interaction

Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and electrolytes in patients on lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and other agents that affect the RAS. Do not coadminister aliskiren with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in patients with diabetes. No meaningful clinically important pharmacokinetic interactions occurred when lisinopril was used concomitantly with propranolol, digoxin, or hydrochlorothiazide.

Recommendation: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure and salt levels closely to ensure they stay in a healthy range.

Drug Class
hydrochlorothiazide Thiazide Diuretic
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Thiazide / Potassium-Sparing Diuretic Combination
Type
hydrochlorothiazide Prescription
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Prescription
Summary
hydrochlorothiazide

No summary available.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine combines lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide to lower high blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of strokes and heart attacks.

What It Treats
hydrochlorothiazide

Information not available.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure. High blood pressure can lead to serious problems like stroke and heart attack if it is not treated. Lowering your blood pressure can help prevent these problems. You may need more than one medicine to control your blood pressure.

How It Works
hydrochlorothiazide

Information not available.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that widens blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This combination helps to lower blood pressure.

Common Side Effects
hydrochlorothiazide
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Fatigue
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Cough
  • Feeling tired
  • Lightheadedness when standing up
FAERS Reports
hydrochlorothiazide
  • Tiredness 10,013
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 9,706
  • Loose stools 8,311
  • Discomfort 7,665
  • Difficulty breathing 7,584
hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene
  • Feeling tired 10,013
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 9,706
  • Loose stools 8,311
  • General pain 7,665
  • Difficulty breathing 7,584
Serious Warnings
hydrochlorothiazide

No specific warnings noted.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine can harm your unborn baby. If you become pregnant, stop taking this medicine and tell your doctor right away. You should not take this medicine if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction (angioedema) to an ACE inhibitor or if you cannot urinate.

Pregnancy
hydrochlorothiazide

No pregnancy information available.

hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene

This medicine can cause harm or death to an unborn baby. Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant. Talk to your doctor about other blood pressure medicines if you are breastfeeding.

How to Read This hydrochlorothiazide vs hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene Comparison

hydrochlorothiazide is classified in the Thiazide Diuretic drug class, while hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene sits within the Thiazide / Potassium-Sparing Diuretic Combination class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, hydrochlorothiazide has 43,279 submissions while hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene has 43,279. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known major interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to both of these medicines can cause your body to lose too much water and salt, which can lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between hydrochlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide/triamterene - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.