Spironolactone (By mouth)

Introduction

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

Treats fluid retention (edema) in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome. Also treats high blood pressure, heart failure, and low blood potassium (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 severe kidney disease, high blood potassium (hyperkalemia), or if you are not able to urinate (anuria). You should not use this medicine if you are also using potassium supplements or salt substitutes, or certain diuretics such as amiloride (Midamor®, Moduretic®), triamterene (Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®), or other products containing spironolactone (Aldactazide®).

How to Use This Medicine

Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids if you exercise, sweat more than usual, or have diarrhea or vomiting.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use 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 in a closed container 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• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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 away from 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 (Gengraf®, Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), norepinephrine, tubocurarine, pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, indomethacin, Advil®, Aleve®, Indocin®, Motrin®, Orudis®, or Relafen®), a steroid medicine (such as cortisone, prednisone, or Medrol®), other diuretic or "water pill" (such as furosemide, torsemide, Demadex®, or Lasix®), or other blood pressure medicine (such as enalapril, lisinopril, Accupril®, Altace®, Capoten®, Lotensin®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Univasc®, Vasotec®, or Zestril®).
• You may feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint if you drink alcohol or take narcotic pain relievers or sleeping pills with this medicine. Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol or use pain relievers or sleeping pills.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, menstrual problems, or mineral imbalance (such as high calcium or low chloride, magnesium, potassium, or sodium).
• This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it if you take it as directed. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Stop using this medicine and check with your doctor right away if you are confused or have trouble breathing; fast or uneven heartbeats; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; or weakness or heaviness of the legs. These may signs of too much potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia).
• This medicine may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• Use extra care if you exercise or if the weather is hot. Heavy sweating can cause dehydration (loss of too much water) or electrolyte imbalances (loss of sodium, potassium, or magnesium in the body).
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• This medicine may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients. Talk to your doctor if you have questions about this.
• Your blood pressure may go up if you stop using this medicine. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor even if you feel well.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine

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

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Change in how much or how often you urinate
• Confusion, uneven heartbeat, shortness of breath, or numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting
• Fever, chills, cough, hoarseness, and body aches
• Problems urinating, pain in side or lower back
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

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

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

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088