Details

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. Spironolactone is used to diagnose or treat a condition in which you have too much aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in your body. Spironolactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. This medication is also used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). You should not use spironolactone if you are allergic to it, or if you have kidney disease, or if you are unable to urinate Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder) high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia) or if you are also taking eplerenone. To make sure spironolactone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have liver disease heart disease an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of magnesium in your blood) or if you take an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug).

Typical Uses

Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It is also used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (such as heart failure, liver disease) by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms such as breathing problems. This medication is also used to treat low potassium levels and conditions in which the body is making too much of a natural chemical (aldosterone). Spironolactone is known as a "water pill" (potassium-sparing diuretic). This medication has also been used to treat excessive hair growth (hirsutism) in women with polycystic ovary disease.

Side Effects

Common spironolactone side effects may include signs of stomach bleeding-bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds high potassium-slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or limp feeling, tingly feeling low sodium-confusion, slurred speech, hallucinations, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, seizure (convulsions), fainting, shallow breathing (breathing may stop) or symptoms of any electrolyte imbalance-dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, lack of energy, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle cramps or weakness, fast heart rate, little or no urinating, or feeling like you might pass out.

Drug Interactions

• Spironolactone+amiloride- Using amiloride together with spironolactone is generally not recommended. Combining these medications may cause hyperkalemia (high blood potassium), which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest. You may be more likely to develop hyperkalemia while taking these medications if you are elderly, dehydrated, or have kidney disease, diabetes, or advanced heart failure.
• Spironolactone+benazepril- Using benazepril together with spironolactone may increase the levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), especially if you are dehydrated or have kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, or if you are an older adult. Hyperkalemia can cause symptoms such as weakness, confusion, numbness or tingling, and uneven heartbeats.
• Spironolactone+captopril- Using captopril together with spironolactone may increase the levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), especially if you are dehydrated or have kidney disease, diabetes, heart failure, or if you are an older adult. Hyperkalemia can cause symptoms such as weakness, confusion, numbness or tingling, and uneven heartbeats.
• Spironolactone+mitotane- Ask your doctor before using spironolactone together with mitotane. Using these medications together can make mitotane less effective. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs.

Mechanism of action

Spironolactone belongs to a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium from the body.

Pregnancy Category : B