Spironolactone (By mouth)

Introduction:

Spironolactone (spir-on-oh-LAK-tone)

Treats fluid retention (edema), high blood pressure, and other conditions such as low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia). This medicine is a diuretic ("water pill").

Brand Name(s):

Aldactone

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to spironolactone, or if you have kidney disease, high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), or if you are pregnant or unable to urinate. You should not use this medicine if you are also taking similar diuretics such as triamterene (Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®) or spironolactone (Aldactazide®, Aldactone®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.

If a dose is missed:

  • If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

  • Store the medicine at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
  • Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), lithium, potassium supplements, salt substitutes, triamterene (Dyrenium®), or other blood pressure medicine (such as Accupril®, Altace®, Capoten®, Lotensin®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Univasc®, Vasotec®, Zestril®).
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes or menstrual problems.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Confusion, weakness, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
  • Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting
  • Fever, chills, cough, hoarseness
  • Problems urinating, pain in side or lower back
  • Skin rash or itching

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

  • Breast enlargement in men
  • Breast tenderness, changes in hair growth, irregular menstrual periods in women
  • Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps
  • Problems having sex
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