Information about Spironolactone (Generic Aldactone) :


Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that is used to treat swelling and fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or kidney problems (nephrotic syndrome). It blocks the hormone aldosterone, causing the kidney to eliminate excess water, save potassium, and decrease blood pressure. It may be also administered for treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and prevention of low blood potassium. It may be indicated to treat excess secretion of aldosterone by the adrenal gland.

You should not use Spironolactone in case you have any condition mentioned below: you are allergic to any ingredient in Spironolactone; you are unable to urinate, have severe kidney problems, or have high blood potassium levels; you are taking a potassium supplement, another potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, amiloride, triamterene), or another aldosterone-blocker (eg, eplerenone).

In such cases it is obligatory to consult with your doctor or health care provider before taking this drug.

Before using Spironolactone:
Before using Spironolactone you should tell your doctor if you have any medical conditions listed below: you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding a baby; you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement; you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances; you have high acidity in your body fluids; low sodium levels in your blood; liver, heart, or lung disease; diabetes; or high urea or nitrogen in your blood; you have menstrual disease.

Be aware that Spironolactone may interact with some medicines. Consult with your health care provider in case you are taking any other drugs, especially any of the following: corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or ACTH because low blood electrolyte levels may occur; barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotics (eg, morphine) because dizziness upon standing may occur; angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, valsartan), cyclosporine, macrolide immunosuppressives (eg, tacrolimus), other potassium sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride, triamterene), other aldosterone-blockers (eg, eplerenone), or potassium supplements because high blood potassium levels may occur (eg, listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs, heaviness of limbs, slowed heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, potentially life-threatening slow or irregular heartbeat); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because they may decrease Spironolactone 's effectiveness and increase the risk of kidney problems and high blood potassium; digoxin, digitoxin, lithium, nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, tubocurarine), or quinidine because the risk of their side effects and toxicity may be increased by Spironolactone; pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Spironolactone.

It may not be a complete list of all interactions with other drugs. To prevent any complications you should check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Spironolactone:
Take Spironolactone as recommended by your doctor. It may be taken orally with or without food. In case you experience stomach upset, you should take it with food for the purpose of stomach irritation reduction.

Spironolactone usage may lead to the increasing of urine amount or cause you to piss more often. To avoid disturbing of your sleep, you should take your dose before 6 pm.

In case you miss a dose of Spironolactone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next intake, skip the missed dose and take it according to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take double doses to catch up.

Consult with you doctor in case more than one dose is missed.

Important safety information:
Spironolactone usage may lead to drowsiness, dizziness. These effects may be worsened by taking alcohol or certain medicines. Prevent driving or performing any other possibly unsafe actions.

Body's potassium levels may be increased while taking Spironolactone. People with kidney problems, diabetes, in the elderly, or if the patient is severely ill are more likely to have it. Potassium levels must be closely monitored in people with any of these problems or illnesses. If not treated, high potassium levels can be fatal. You should consult with your doctor before usage of any product contains potassium.

Lab tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, blood potassium, and chemistries, may be performed while you are using Spironolactone. It is important to control your progress or to check for side effects. Follow all doctor and lab appointments strictly.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING:
In case you become pregnant, consult with your doctor and discuss the benefits and risks of taking Spironolactone while pregnancy. It is known that Spironolactone passes into breast milk. Do not breast-feed a baby if you are using Spironolactone.

Possible side effects of Spironolactone:
You should consult with your doctor in case you have any of side effects especially bothersome listed below: abdominal cramping; change in sexual ability; clumsiness; confusion; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; headache; frequent urination; nausea; vomiting.

Seek emergency in case you have any of these severe side effects: severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast tenderness; deepening of voice; dry mouth; enlarged breasts in men; excessive thirst; irregular or lack of menstrual periods; skin rash; slow, irregular, or fast heartbeat; ulcers; unusual muscle weakness; unusual tiredness.

What is the expiration date of the pills?
This information is mentioned on each blister. The expiration date is 2 years from the date of manufacture.