What is Spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a diuretic with potassium-sparing properties (a water pill) that stops your body from taking in excessive amounts of salt. It also helps keep you from going low.
Spironolactone is used to treat heart conditions such as high blood pressure (hypertension) and hyperkalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).Spironolactone is also used to treat fluid retention (edema) in patients who suffer from congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disease, referred to as the nephrotic disorder.
Spironolactone can also be utilized to treat the condition of excessive aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is the name of a chemical that is produced by your adrenal glands and helps regulate water and salt balance within your body.
Warnings
It is recommended to use spironolactone with caution if you suffer from kidney problems, excessive amounts of potassium present in the bloodstream, Addison's syndrome, are not able to urinate, or are taking eplerenone.
Spironolactone is known to cause cancer in animals, but it isn't known if it can cause this in humans. Avoid using this medicine for any health condition that hasn't been examined by your physician.
Before you take this drug
It is not recommended to use spironolactone when you are allergic to its ingredients or are suffering from
- Adison's syndrome (an adrenal gland disorder);
- the potassium levels are high within your blood (hyperkalemia);
- If you're not able to urinate,
- If you're already taking Eplerenone.
To ensure that spironolactone is appropriate for you, consult your physician if you suffer from:
- An electrolyte imbalance (such as a low level of calcium, magnesium, and sodium levels in the blood);
- Kidney disease;
- Liver disease liver disease
- Heart disease.
Consult your physician if you are expecting or planning to become pregnant. Cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, and uncontrolled blood pressure during pregnancy can cause medical problems, whether for the mother or the baby. Your doctor will decide whether to prescribe spironolactone when you are expecting.
It is not recommended to breastfeed when taking spironolactone. Discuss with your doctor any potential risks.
How do I take spironolactone?
Follow the exact dosage of spironolactone as directed by your physician. Follow the instructions on the prescription label and carefully read the medication guide or instructions. Your doctor may alter your dosage.
Don't share this medication with anyone else, even if they suffer from similar symptoms as you do.Spironolactone can be taken in combination with or without food; however, you must take it exactly the same way every time.
require regular medical tests.This medication may affect the outcomes of certain tests. Inform any doctor treating you about your use of spironolactone.
If you are in need of surgery, inform your surgeon that you are currently taking this medication. You might have to stop taking the medicine for a brief period.If you're receiving treatment to treat high blood pressure, you should continue taking this medication, even if you feel good. High blood pressure can have no symptoms. There is a chance you'll need medications to reduce your blood pressure throughout the course ofPlace it in a cool, dry place far from light, heat, and moisture.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Edema:
Between 25 and 200 mg per day, in one or two doses
The duration of treatment: If it is used as the sole diuretic, you should continue your initial dosage for at most 5 days. After this, the initial dose can be adjusted to an appropriate maintenance dose. Comments: A second diuretic that acts more proximal to the renal tubule could be used if adequate diuresis hasn't been maintained after 5 days. The dose of this drug should remain unchanged if a second diuretic is added. Treatment of edematous conditions in patients with congestive heart failure who are only partially responsive to or intolerant of other therapeutic measures or who are taking digitalis when other therapies are considered inappropriate Treatment of edematous conditions in patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by edema and/or ascites Treatment of edematous conditions in patients with nephrotic disorders in cases where treatment for the underlying condition with a restriction on sodium and fluid intake as well as the use of other diuretics is not able to produce a sufficient response
Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Start with 50–100 mg daily in a single or divided dose.
Treatment duration: Therapy is recommended to be continued for a minimum of 2 weeks to attain an optimal response. The dose can then be adjusted based on the patient's response.
Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:
Initial dosage: 25 mg orally, once per day, in the event that serum potassium levels are lower than or equivalent to 5 mEq/L and serum creatinine levels are less than 2.5 mg/dL.
Maintenance dose: Patients who tolerate the initial dose may rise to 50 mg once every day if clinically indicated. Patients not tolerant of the initial dose can be reduced to 25 mg per day orally every other day. The goal is to increase survival and decrease the need to hospitalize severely ill people suffering from heart disease (New York Heart Association, NYHA classes III–IV) when added to the standard treatment.
Usual Adult Dose for Primary Hyperaldosteronism:
Diagnostic dose:
Long test: 400 mg orally per day for 3 to 4 weeks Short test: 400 mg orally per day for 4 days Maintenance dose: 100 to 400 mg orally per day until surgery; may be used long-term at the lowest effective dose in patients deemed unsuitable for surgery. Comments: For the long test, correction of hypokalemia and hypertension provides presumptive evidence of primary hyperaldosteronism. For the short test, increased serum potassium with this drug and a decrease upon discontinuation provide presumptive evidence of primary hyperaldosteronism. Uses: as an initial diagnostic measure to provide presumptive evidence of primary hyperaldosteronism while patients are on normal diets. Short-term preoperative treatment of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism Long-term maintenance therapy for patients deemed unsuitable for surgery or those with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism
Usual Adult Dose for Hypokalemia:
Between 25 and 100 milligrams daily
Treatment of patients with hypokalemia when other measures are considered inappropriate or inadequate. Prophylaxis of hypokalemia in patients taking digitalis when other measures are considered inadequate or inappropriate.
What Happens If I Miss the Dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you can. However, do not take any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention in an emergency or contact the Poison Help line toll-free at 1-800-222-1222.
What should be avoided?
Alcohol consumption can cause certain negative effects.Avoid using salt substitutes or potassium supplements unless your doctor has instructed you to.
Beware of a diet that is high in salt. Too much salt can reduce your body's ability to hold water, which can make the medication less efficient.
Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of the effects of spironolactone. The way you react could be affected. Be careful not to get up too quickly from a lying or seated position. You could get dizzy.
Side Effects of Spironolactone
See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms of an allergy reaction to spironolactone, an allergic reaction characterized by hives, breathing problems, or swelling of your lips, face, or tongue,
Contact your doctor immediately if you are suffering from:
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you're passing out;
- Very little or no urine;
- High potassium levels (high potassium) cause sickness or weakening, tingling sensations, chest discomfort, irregular heartbeats, and loss of movement.
- Symptoms of electrolyte imbalances in other organs that include more thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, muscle pain, speech slurring, extreme weakness, and numbness. Also, loss of coordination and feeling unstable
The most common side effects of spironolactone are:
- Breast swelling or tenderness
This isn't a complete list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Contact your physician to seek medical advice on adverse effects. You can report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drugs
Combining spironolactone with other medicines that cause you to feel dizzy could cause more dizziness. Consult your physician before taking opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medication to treat anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Discuss with your doctor any other medications you take, including:
- Colchicine;
- Digoxin;
- Lithium;
- Loperamide;
- Trimethoprim;
- Medicine for blood pressure or the heart (especially diuretics);
- Medication to stop the formation of blood clots;
- These are NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and many others.
This list is not comprehensive. Other medications can interact with spironolactone. This includes medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs, which are listed here.
