An oral prescription medication, Maxzide contains a combination of the drugs triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide. Despite its effectiveness in the treatment of high blood pressure and edema, Maxzide poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

Types of Side Effects

Side effects of Maxzide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, fatigue, dizziness, decreased libido, impotence, increased sensitivity to sunlight, skin redness, vertigo and the appearance of red welts on your skin.

Precautions

Because Maxzide increases your sensitivity to sunlight, avoid tanning and use sunscreen while outside. Since it has the potential to cause drowsiness, dizziness and vertigo, do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how Maxzide effects you.

Drug Interactions

Maxzide has the potential to cause toxic side effects from the mood stabilizing drug lithium, the U.S. National Library of Medicine warns. The combination of the pain-relief indomethacin and Maxzide poses a risk for sudden kidney failure.

Risks

While taking Maxzide, some patients develop hyperkalemia, a potentially-fatal increase in blood potassium levels, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Other risks associated with Maxzide include liver dysfunction, inflammation of your pancreas, severe drops in blood pressure, shortages of red or white blood cells and life-threatening allergic reactions.

Considerations

Because its effects upon fetal development are unknown, doctors rarely prescribe Maxzide for pregnant women. If you have a history of an inability to urinate, hyperkalemia, kidney failure, diabetes, gout, kidney stones, parathyroid dysfunction or liver disease, it may not be safe for you to take Maxzide, the Mayo Clinic cautions .

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide (Oral Route)

U.S. National Library of Medicine DailyMed: MAXZIDE-25 (maxzide) tablet