Pharmacology · patient case question
A patient takes triamterene combined with hydrochlorothiazide. What does the triamterene component prevent?
Patient case: Neurology, diuretics and salivary assessment
Scenario: Four items.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Hypokalaemia
- A. Correct. Thiazides waste potassium. Triamterene is potassium-sparing, so combining the two offsets the loss and keeps serum potassium in range — which is precisely why the two are formulated together.
- B. For the same reason, hypercalcaemia is a possible thiazide effect rather than something triamterene guards against.
- C. Thiazides actually reduce urinary calcium excretion and tend to raise serum calcium slightly.
- D. Hyperkalaemia is the risk of triamterene given alone or with an ACE inhibitor, not something it prevents.