Triamterene therapy was evaluated in 35 patients with
congestive heart failure over a period of two and one-half years. The parameters used were: clinical assessment; daily 24-hour urine
sodium,
potassium, chloride, and total volume; bi-weekly serum
sodium,
potassium, chloride,
uric acid, and
SGOT; hemogram, and BUN.Triamterene is a moderately potent
diuretic and natriuretic, with the added desirable property of
potassium conservation. It acts synergistically with
spironolactone and not only potentiates the effects of
hydrochlorothiazide but greatly minimizes its kaluretic effect.It is particularly useful in patients in whom
cardiac arrhythmias are associated with digitalis intoxication or with inadvertently induced
hypokalemia. Its main therapeutic value, used either alone or in combination with other
diuretics, is in the longterm management of chronic
edema, especially in certain patients refractory to the currently used
diuretics.No significant undesirable side effects were noted.