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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 treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
Spironolactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.
Spironolactone is also 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.
You should use spironolactone with caution if you have kidney problems, high levels of potassium in your blood, Addison's disease, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are also taking eplerenone.
Spironolactone has caused tumors in animals but it is not known whether this could occur in people. Do not use this medicine for any condition that has not been checked by your doctor.
You should not use spironolactone if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);
high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);
if you are unable to urinate; or
if you are also taking eplerenone.
To make sure spironolactone is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of magnesium in your blood);
kidney disease;
liver disease; or
heart disease.
In animal studies, spironolactone caused certain types of tumors. It is not known whether tumors could occur in people using this medicine. Ask your doctor about your risk.
It is not known whether spironolactone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Spironolactone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
Take spironolactone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Do not use this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
You may take spironolactone with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
While using spironolactone, you may need frequent blood tests.
This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using spironolactone.
If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of spironolactone.
Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking spironolactone.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.
Spironolactone may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to spironolactone: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using spironolactone and call your doctor at once if you have:
a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
little or no urination;
signs of stomach bleeding - bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
low potassium - uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or limp feeling; or
signs of other electrolyte imbalances - vomiting, muscle spasms or contractions, numbness or tingly feeling, slow heart rate, weak pulse, headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.
Common spironolactone side effects may include:
mild nausea or vomiting, diarrhea;
breast swelling or tenderness;
dizziness, headache, mild drowsiness;
leg cramps; or
impotence, difficulty having an erection.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you dizzy or lower your blood pressure can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, opioid pain medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
cholestyramine, digoxin, lithium, trimethoprim;
heart or blood pressure medicine (especially ace inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, or another diuretic);
medicine to prevent a blood clot; or
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) - aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with spironolactone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use spironolactone only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Spironolactone (www.drugs.com/spironolactone.html).
Applies to spironolactone: oral suspension, oral tablet
Along with its needed effects, spironolactone may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking spironolactone:
Incidence not known
Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking spironolactone:
Symptoms of overdose
Some side effects of spironolactone may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Applies to spironolactone: compounding powder, oral suspension, oral tablet
The most common adverse effect was gynecomastia.
Very common (10% or more): Gynecomastia (13%)
Frequency not reported: Breast disorders in women, slight androgenic effects, breast tenderness in women, voice deepening in women, breast pain
Common (1% to 10%): Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Acidosis in patients with liver problems
Rare (less than 0.1%): Dehydration, porphyria, hyperuricemia
Frequency not reported: Reversible hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis in patients with decompensated hepatic cirrhosis, electrolyte disturbances
Common (1% to 10%): Changes in vaginal secretions, amenorrhea, postmenopausal bleeding
Frequency not reported: Reproductive system disorders, erectile dysfunction, impotence, menstrual disorders
Common (1% to 10%): Lethargy in patients with cirrhosis, paresthesia
Rare (less than 0.1%): Paralysis, paraplegia of the limbs due to hyperkalemia
Frequency not reported: Headache, drowsiness, dizziness, ataxia
Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Gastric inflammation, gastric ulcers, intestinal hemorrhage, cramps
Frequency not reported: Digestive system disorders, diarrhea, indigestion, gastric bleeding
Common (1% to 10%): Libido reduced in women
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Confusion
Frequency not reported: Libido reduced in men
Common (1% to 10%): Malaise
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Breast cancer
Common (1% to 10%): Weakness
Frequency not reported: Fatigue, fever
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Rash, urticaria, erythema, chloasma, pruritus, exanthema
Rare (less than 0.1%): Eczema
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Alopecia, erythema annulare centrifugum, hypertrichosis
Frequency not reported: Hirsutism, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), maculopapular or erythematous cutaneous eruptions
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Muscle spasms, leg cramps
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Systemic lupus erythematosus, osteomalacia
Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Serum creatinine elevated
Rare (less than 0.1%): BUN increased
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Acute renal failure
Frequency not reported: Renal dysfunction
Rare (less than 0.1%): Thrombocytopenia, eosinophilia, leukopenia
Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis
Rare (less than 0.1%): Hypersensitivity
Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Vasculitis
Frequency not reported: Mild hypotension
Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hepatitis
Frequency not reported: Mixed cholestatic/hepatocellular toxicity
Medically reviewed by USARx EDITORIAL TEAM Last updated on 1/1/2020.
Source: Drugs.com Spironolactone (www.drugs.com/spironolactone.html).
February 12, 2020
April 14, 2016
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