What are other names for Maxsalt (triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide)?

Other Names for Maxsalt (Triamterene and Hydrochlorothiazide)

Maxsalt is also known as Maxzide, which is a fixed-dose combination tablet containing 75 mg of triamterene and 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide. 1

Brand Names and Formulations

• Maxzide: The most common alternative name for Maxsalt, containing 75 mg triamterene/50 mg hydrochlorothiazide in tablet form 1
• Dyazide: Another brand name for a similar combination, but with different dosing (50 mg triamterene/25 mg hydrochlorothiazide) and different bioavailability 1, 2

Composition and Classification

This medication combines:

• Triamterene: A potassium-sparing diuretic that inhibits the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) in the cortical collecting duct 3
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ): A thiazide diuretic that acts on the distal convoluted tubule 4

Bioavailability Differences Between Formulations

It's important to note that there are significant bioavailability differences between similar products:

• Maxzide tablets provide optimal bioavailability of both active ingredients 1
• Dyazide capsules have markedly reduced absorption of both components:
  • Two Dyazide capsules (100 mg triamterene/50 mg HCTZ) deliver approximately half the amount of both medications compared to one Maxzide tablet (75 mg triamterene/50 mg HCTZ) 1, 2

Clinical Considerations

• The combination of triamterene with HCTZ serves two purposes:

  1. Prevents hypokalemia that can occur with thiazide diuretics alone 4
  2. Enhances blood pressure lowering effect (triamterene can lower systolic BP by an additional 1-4 mmHg beyond HCTZ alone) 3

• These combinations are commonly used in:

  • Hypertension management 4
  • Heart failure treatment 4
  • Management of edema 4

• Dosing is typically once daily, which can improve medication adherence 1

Monitoring Considerations

When using this medication, monitoring should include:

• Serum potassium (risk of hyperkalemia, especially in elderly diabetic patients) 5
• Renal function (clearance of both drugs decreases with age and declining renal function) 2
• Blood pressure response 3

The combination works through a sequential nephron blockade mechanism, with the two drugs acting on different tubular segments for additive effects without significant pharmacokinetic interaction 6.