Description
Aldactone (spironolactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.
Aldactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
Aldactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.
Aldactone is also used to diagnose or treat a condition in which you have too much aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in your body.
Warnings
You should use Aldactone with caution if you have kidney problems, high levels of potassium in your blood, Addison's disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are also taking eplerenone.
Aldactone has caused tumors in animals but it is not known whether this could occur in people. Do not use this medicine for any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Aldactone if you are allergic to spironolactone, or if you have:
- addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
- high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
- if you are unable to urinate;
- if you are also taking eplerenone.
To make sure Aldactone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood);
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- heart disease.
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Aldactone
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Aldactone
Generic name: spironolactone (spir ON oh LAK tone)
Brand name: Aldactone, CaroSpir
Drug class: Aldosterone receptor antagonists, Potassium-sparing diuretics
Medically reviewed by Sanjai Sinha, MD. Last updated on April 14, 2020.
Uses
Warnings
Dosage
What to avoid
Side effects
Interactions
FAQ
What is Aldactone?
Aldactone (spironolactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.
Aldactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
Aldactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.
Aldactone is also used to diagnose or treat a condition in which you have too much aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in your body.
Warnings
You should use Aldactone with caution if you have kidney problems, high levels of potassium in your blood, Addison's disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are also taking eplerenone.
Aldactone has caused tumors in animals but it is not known whether this could occur in people. Do not use this medicine for any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use Aldactone if you are allergic to spironolactone, or if you have:
Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
if you are unable to urinate; or
if you are also taking eplerenone.
To make sure Aldactone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood);
kidney disease;
liver disease; or
heart disease.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or uncontrolled high blood pressure during pregnancy may lead to medical problems in the mother or the baby. Your doctor should decide whether you take Aldactone if you are pregnant.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
How should I take Aldactone?
Take Aldactone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
You may take Aldactone with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
You will need frequent medical tests.
This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using Aldactone.
If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
Dosing information:
25 to 200 mg orally per day in single or divided doses.
Side effects:
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Aldactone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
* little or no urination;
* high potassium level - nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement;
* signs of other electrolyte imbalances - increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, muscle pain, slurred speech, severe weakness, numbness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
Common Aldactone side effects may include:
* breast swelling or tenderness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur.
