Aldactone (Generic)
Aldactone (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.

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Uses

Spironolactone (SPY-row-no-LACK-tone) is used to treat edema (swelling) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat certain patients with hyperaldosteronism (the body produces too much aldosterone, a naturally occurring hormone); low potassium levels; and in patients with edema (fluid retention) caused by various conditions, including heart, liver, or kidney disease. Spironolactone controls high blood pressure and hyperaldosteronism, but does not cure these conditions. Spironolactone also is used in combination with other medicines to treat precocious puberty (a condition causing children to enter puberty too soon) or myasthenia gravis (MG, a disease in which the nerves do not function properly and patients may experience weakness; numbness; loss of muscle coordination; and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control). Spironolactone also may be used to treat certain female patients with abnormal facial hair. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor for more information.

How to take

Spironolactone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. Take this exactly as prescribed. Do not skip doses or increase the dose without your doctor's approval. Take with food or milk to minimize stomach upset. Because this drug may increase urination, avoid taking a dose right before bedtime. It usually is taken once a day in the morning or sometimes twice a day. Take Spironolactone at around the same time(s) every day. It may take about two weeks or longer before the full effect of Spironolactone occurs. Continue to take Spironolactone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Spironolactone without talking to your doctor.

Side effects

This drug may cause dizziness or blurred vision. Watch for signs of dehydration such as dry mouth or thirst. You may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, sleeplessness or nasal congestion the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, inform your doctor promptly. Unlikely, but report promptly if you develop: yellowing of the skin, deepening of the voice, sore throat, weakness, irregular pulse, persistent cough, decreased sexual ability, change in the amount of urine, increased breast size, breast soreness. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, breathing trouble. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Precaution

This medication can raise your body's potassium levels. This is more likely to occur in people with kidney problems, diabetes, in elderly patients, or if the patient is severely ill. Potassium levels must be closely monitored in people with any of these problems or illnesses. If not treated, very high potassium levels can be fatal. If you develop any of the following symptoms, notify your doctor immediately: muscle weakness, irregular or slow heartbeat. Because this drug changes your fluid balance, you may feel dizzy if you change from a lying to a standing position too rapidly. Avoid this by rising slowly. If this drug makes you dizzy, use caution while engaging in activities that require alertness such as driving or using machinery. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor you take Spironolactone. This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. This drug is excreted into breast milk and the manufacturer of this drug recommends that breast-feeding not be undertaken while using it. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding. Follow your doctor's directions for your meals, including advice for a reduced-salt (sodium) diet and daily exercise program. Avoid potassium-containing salt substitutes while you are taking this medication. Talk with your doctor about the amount of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes, raisins, and orange juice) that you may have in your diet.

Drug interactions

Before taking Spironolactone, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to Spironolactone; any other medications; or the ingredients in Spironolactone tablets. Tell your doctor if you are taking amiloride (Midamor), potassium supplements, triamterene (Dyrenium). Your doctor may tell you not to take Spironolactone if you are taking one or more of these medications. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); barbiturates such as phenobarbital; digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications to treat high blood pressure; narcotic medications for pain; and oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone).

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.