Spironolactone

What is spironolactone

Spironolactone is in a class of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics (water pill). It is used to reduce the amount of fluid in your body without causing the loss of potassium.

Spironolactone is used to treat edema (swelling) and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Spironolactone is also used to treat potassium deficiency and hyperaldosteronism (a hormonal disorder).

Spironolactone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about spironolactone

To reduce nighttime urination, take spironolactone early in the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Take spironolactone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium while taking spironolactone. These products could cause high levels of potassium in your blood. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about any salt substitutes you are taking.

Who should not take spironolactone

Before taking spironolactone, tell your doctor if you
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have diabetes mellitus;
- have high levels of potassium in your blood; or
- are taking a potassium supplement or an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) such as captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), enalapril (Vasotec), or others.

You may not be able to take spironolactone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Spironolactone is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that spironolactone is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take spironolactone if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether spironolactone passes into breast milk. Do not take spironolactone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should take spironolactone

Take spironolactone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take spironolactone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.

To reduce nighttime urination, take spironolactone early in the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Do not stop taking spironolactone suddenly even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly could make your condition worse.

Store spironolactone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a spironolactone overdose include an irregular heartbeat, lethargy, fatigue, weakness, drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, shortness of breath, nausea, and vomiting.

Avoid while taking spironolactone

Possible side effects of spironolactone

Stop taking spironolactone and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, weakness, numbness, or tingling (caused by high levels of potassium in your blood); or
- decreased urination.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take spironolactone and talk to your doctor if you experience
- unusual headache or dizziness;
- nausea, diarrhea, or a decrease in appetite;
- dry mouth;
- bloating;
- muscle cramps; or
- lowering of the voice, excessive hair growth, or enlarged breasts.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect spironolactone

Before taking spironolactone tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications:
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
- probenecid (Benemid);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), fenoprofen (Nalfon), ketorolac (Toradol), or flurbiprofen (Ansaid); or
- a diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

You may not be able to take spironolactone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medications listed above.

Also, before taking spironolactone, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicine to treat high blood pressure, water retention, heart problems, prostate problems, or another condition. Some medicines used to treat these conditions may interact with spironolactone and the effects on your heart may be increased.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with spironolactone. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.