Aldactone

 

Generic name: Spironolactone
Brand name: CaroSpir, Aldactone

 

What is Aldactone?

Aldactone ( spironolactone) is a diuretic that helps in the removal of potassium (water pill) that stops your body from taking in excessive amounts of salt. It also helps keep the levels of potassium from becoming too low.

Aldactone can be used to treat the heart condition, high blood pressure (hypertension) as well as hypokalemia ( low potassium levels in the blood).

Aldactone can also treat liquid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disease known as Nephrotic Syndrome.

Aldactone can also be used to identify or treat a problem that is caused by excess aldosterone levels within your body. Aldosterone is a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands in order to regulate water and salt balances in your body.¶

Warnings

Use Aldactone with care in the event of kidney issues and excessive levels of potassium in the blood of your patients, Addison’s disease, or if you’re not able to urinate or if you’re taking eplerenone.

Aldactone can cause tumors in animals, however, it isn’t clear if it can cause tumors in humans. Don’t use this medication to treat an illness that has not been evaluated by your physician.

Before you start taking this medicine, make sure to consult your doctor

It is not recommended to use Aldactone if your body is sensitive to spironolactone or if you suffer from:

• Addison’s syndrome (an adrenal gland disorder);
• the potassium levels are high within your blood ( hyperkalemia);
• If you’re not able to urinate, or
• If you’re using eplerenone in conjunction with.

To ensure that Aldactone is suitable for you, inform your doctor if:

• the imbalance of electrolytes (such in low concentrations of magnesium, calcium as well as sodium);
• kidney disease;
• the liver condition Or
• heart disease.

Inform your physician if you are expecting or planning to be pregnant. A congestive heart condition, cirrhosis, or uncontrolled hypertension during the pregnancy could cause medical issues for either the mother or baby. The doctor you consult should determine whether you are taking Aldactone when you are expecting.

It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication. Talk to your doctor about any potential risks.

How to take Aldactone?

Use Aldactone exactly as directed by your physician. Follow the directions on the prescription label and go through all the medication guides or instructions sheets. Your doctor may modify your dosage.

Don’t share this medication with a person else even if they suffer from similar symptoms to yours.

It is possible to use Aldactone either with or without food however, you should take it, in the same manner, every time.

You’ll need to take frequent medical examinations.

This medication can alter the results of certain tests. Be sure to inform any doctor treating you that you’re taking Aldactone.

If you require surgery, inform your surgeon that you are currently taking this medication. It is possible that you will have to stop taking the medicine for a brief time.

If you’re being treated to treat high blood pressure continue taking this medication even if you are feeling good. The condition is often accompanied by no signs. You could need blood pressure medications throughout your life.

Keep at room temperature, far from light, heat, and moisture.

Dosing information

Usual Adult Dose of Aldactone for Edema:

25 to 200 mg daily in one or two doses

The duration of treatment: If it is used in the absence of any other diuretic medication, keep your initial dosage for a minimum of 5 days. After this, the dose initially prescribed may be adjusted to an appropriate dose for a maintenance dose.Comments:-A second diuretic acting more proximal to the renal tubule can be added in the event that adequate diuresis is not 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 disorders in patients suffering from the nephrotic syndrome in cases where treatment of the underlying condition, restricting sodium and fluid intake as well as the use of other diuretics fail to provide adequate responses.

Usual Adult Dose of Aldactone for Hypertension:

The initial dose is 50 – 100 mg taken orally daily in divided or one dose

The duration of treatment is recommended to be continued for at least two weeks in order to reach a maximum response. The dose can then be altered based on the patient’s response.

Usual Adult Dose for Congestive Heart Failure:

Initial dosage: 25 mg orally daily, assuming that the serum potassium level is less than 5mEq/L and serum creatinine levels are less than 2.5 mg/dL

Maintenance dose:- Patients who tolerate the initial dose: may be increased to 50 mg once every day, if clinically indicated. Patients who are not tolerant of the dose initially may be reduced to 25 mg daily orally another day. The goal is to increase the duration of life and decrease the need to hospitalize severely heart failure patients (New York Heart Association NYHA classes III through IV) when administered in addition to conventional therapy.

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-day 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.

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:

25 to 100 mg daily

Uses:-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.

If I don’t take a dose?

You should take the medication as quickly as you can, however, avoid any missed doses if it’s nearing the time to take the next dose. Don’t have two doses in one time.

If I consume too much?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact toll-free the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

What to avoid?

Alcohol consumption can cause certain negative effects.

Avoid using the potassium supplement or salt replacement only if your physician has instructed you to.

Beware of a diet that is high in salt. Salt intake too high can result in your body’s ability to store water, which can make the medication less efficient.

Avoid driving or engaging in hazardous activities until you are aware of what effects this medication will have on your body. The way you react could be affected. Do not get up too fast from lying or sitting in a position. You could be dizzy.

Aldactone side effects

Contact a medical professional immediately If you are experiencing symptoms warning signs of an allergic reaction due to the drug Aldactone. Hives and breathing problems and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue.

Contact your doctor immediately If you suffer from:

• A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you’re about to pass out.
• minimal or no urination
• High potassium level nausea weak sensation, tingling chest pain, irregular heartbeats loss of motion;
• indications of other electrolyte imbalances, such as thirst that is increased or urination, confusion vomiting and muscle pain severe weakness, slurred speech, numbness, lack of coordination, feeling unstable.

Common side effects of Aldactone are:

• breast tenderness or swelling.

This isn’t a complete list of all side effects. other side effects could occur. Contact your doctor to seek medical advice regarding the effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA via 800-FDA-1088.

 

What other medications will alter the effects of Aldactone?

Combining Aldactone with other medications which cause dizziness can increase the severity of this effect. Consult your physician before taking an opioid drug, asleep pill, a muscle relaxer, or any medication to treat anxiousness, depression, and seizures.

Inform your doctor about all other medicines you take particularly:

• colchicine;
• digoxin;
• lithium;
• loperamide;
• trimethoprim;
• blood pressure or heart medicine (especially diuretics);
• medication to stop the formation of blood clots;
• The NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) naproxen (Aleve), and celecoxib. diclofenac, indomethacinand meloxicam and many more.

This list isn’t complete. Other medications can be able to interact with spironolactone. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs are not listed here. are listed here.

 

More details

Keep all medicines away from the reach of children. Never let your medications be shared with anyone else and only use Aldactone in the prescribed indication.

Always consult your doctor to confirm that the information provided on this page is applicable to your particular situation.