Pronunciation: spir-ON-oh-LAK-tone
Generic Name: Spironolactone
Brand Name: Aldactone
Aldactone has been shown to cause tumors in laboratory animals. Aldactone should only be used for the conditions for which it is indicated. Avoid unnecessary use of Aldactone.
Aldactone is used for:
Treating swelling and fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or a certain kidney problem (nephrotic syndrome). It is also used for treatment of high blood pressure, for increasing survival and reducing the need to go to the hospital for heart failure in certain patients, or for treating or preventing low blood potassium. It may also be used to treat excess secretion of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic. It works by blocking the hormone aldosterone, causing the kidney to eliminate excess water, save potassium, and lower blood pressure.
Do NOT use Aldactone if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Aldactone
- you are unable to urinate, have severe kidney problems, or have high blood potassium levels
- you are taking another potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, amiloride, triamterene), another aldosterone-blocker (eg, eplerenone), or tacrolimus
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Aldactone:
Some medical conditions may interact with Aldactone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have high acidity in your body fluids; dehydration; low blood sodium levels; kidney or liver problems; heart problems (eg, heart failure); or diabetes
- if you have menstrual disease
- if you have a history of high blood potassium levels
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aldactone. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Adrenocorticotropic hormone (corticotropin) (ACTH) or corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) because low blood electrolyte levels may occur
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotics (eg, morphine) because the risk of dizziness upon standing may be increased
- Aliskiren, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, valsartan), other aldosterone-blockers (eg, eplerenone), other potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride, triamterene), potassium supplements, or tacrolimus because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because they may decrease Aldactone's effectiveness and increase the risk of kidney problems and high blood potassium
- Digoxin or lithium because the risk of their side effects and toxicity may be increased by Aldactone
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aldactone may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Aldactone:
Use Aldactone as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Aldactone by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Aldactone may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
- If you miss a dose of Aldactone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aldactone.
Important safety information:
- Aldactone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Aldactone with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are using Aldactone.
- Aldactone can raise your blood potassium level. The risk may be increased in people with kidney or liver problems, or in the elderly. High blood potassium levels may lead to serious and possibly fatal irregular heartbeat. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Aldactone may cause enlarged breasts in some men who take it. This effect is normally reversible after Aldactone is stopped, but may rarely persist after stopping it. Contact your doctor if you experience enlarged breasts.
- Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aldactone before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Aldactone may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Aldactone.
- Lab tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolyte levels (eg, potassium), may be performed while you use Aldactone. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Aldactone with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially high blood potassium levels.
- Aldactone should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aldactone while you are pregnant. Aldactone is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aldactone.
Possible side effects of Aldactone:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; drowsiness; headache; nausea; stomach cramping; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; dark urine; decreased coordination; decreased sexual ability; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; irregular or missed menstrual periods; pale stools; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; severe or persistent stomach pain; symptoms of abnormal fluid or electrolyte levels (eg, burning, numbness, or tingling; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; increased thirst; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; restlessness; severe or persistent dry mouth, nausea, or vomiting; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; unusual fatigue or sluggishness); vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Aldactone side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; irregular heartbeat; nausea; vomiting.
Proper storage of Aldactone:
Store Aldactone at room temperature, below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aldactone out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Aldactone, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Aldactone is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is summary only. It does not contain all information about Aldactone. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider.
More Aldactone resources
- Aldactone Side Effects (in more detail)
- Aldactone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Aldactone Drug Interactions
- Aldactone Support Group
- 9 Reviews for Aldactone - Add your own review/rating
- Aldactone Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Aldactone Consumer Overview
- Aldactone Monograph (AHFS DI)
- Aldactone Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information
- Spironolactone Prescribing Information (FDA)
- Spironolactone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)
Compare Aldactone with other medications
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- Hypokalemia
- Primary Hyperaldosteronism
- Primary Hyperaldosteronism Diagnosis
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