Spironolactone

By Medicover Hospitals / 09 Jan 2021
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What is Spironolactone?

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic which helps in preventing the body from absorbing too much salt and also keeps the potassium levels from getting very low. This is also used for treating heart failure, high blood pressure and hypokalemia. Spironolactone is also used for treating fluid retention in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of liver and kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. Spironolactone is from the class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. This causes the kidney for eliminating unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine but it reduces the potassium from the body.

Spironolactone is a prescription drug which comes in the form of oral tablet and oral suspension. Spironolactone is available in the brand name drug Aldactone and as a generic drug. In some of the cases, the drugs may not be available in all the strengths and forms as brand- name drug.

1. Spironolactone Uses
2. Spironolactone Side effects
3. Precautions
4. Spironolactone Dosage
5. Spironolactone Warnings
6. Spironolactone Storage
7. Spironolactone vs Eplerenone
8. Frequently Asked Questions
9. Citations

Spironolactone Uses:

Spironolactone is used for treating high blood pressure and heart failure. Lowering the high blood pressure helps in preventing strokes, heart attacks and various kidney problems. The medication is also used for treating swelling that is caused by various conditions and by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms like breathing problems. Spironolactone is used for treating some specific conditions where the body is making too much of a natural substance.

Spironolactone Side Effects:

Common side effects of Spironolactone are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Painful breasts
• Irregular menstrual period
• Vaginal bleeding in post-menopausal
• Difficulty in maintaining and achieving an erection
• Drowsiness
• Tiredness

Some of the serious side effects of Spironolactone are:

• Muscle weakness, pain and cramps
• Pain, burning, numbness or tingling in the hands of feet
• Inability to move arms and legs
• Irregular heartbeat
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Tiredness
• Unsteadiness
• Dizziness
• Unusual bleeding
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Flu
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching
• Swallowing
• Blood vomiting
• Decrease in urination
• Fainting

If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Spironolactone if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.

A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Spironolactone side effects.

Precautions:

Before taking Spironolactone talk to your doctor if you’re allergic to it or any other medications. The medication can contain some of the inactive ingredients which can cause allergic reactions or some other problems. Talk to the doctor for getting more a brief detail on the medication.

Before using Spironolactone talk to the doctor if you are having any medical history such as kidney problems, liver problems, untreated mineral imbalance such as high potassium, low sodium and decreased adrenal gland function.

Before going through any of the surgery talk with your doctor about all the products that you are using which includes all the prescribed, non-prescribed and all the herbal products.

The medication has the potential for increasing the potassium levels. Before using the potassium supplements and salt substitutes which contain potassium can consult the doctor.

Talk to the doctor if you are facing these problems:

• Addison’s disease
• High levels of potassium in the blood
• If you are not able to urinate
• If you are taking eplerenone

How to take Spironolactone?

• Spironolactone comes in the form of tablet and suspension. The medications are usually taken once or twice in a day. Spironolactone can be taken with or without food each time. Try to take Spironolactone at the same time every day. Follow the directions on the prescription carefully and ask the doctor if you’re not able to understand how to take the prescriptions. Avoid taking more or less, take exactly it is directed.
• If you’re taking oral suspension shake it well before each use for mixing the medicine properly.
• Initially, the doctor will start with a very low dose and then he will gradually increase the location. Spironolactone tablets and suspension release differently in the body and it can be substituted for one another.
• Spironolactone helps in controlling the high blood pressure, oedema, heart failure and hyperaldosteronism. Spironolactone will take 2 weeks or more for fully effecting. If you are feeling well still continue taking the medications.

Spironolactone Dosage:

Dosage for Edema

25 to 200 mg orally daily in single or divided doses Duration of therapy: When administered as a diuretic alone, continue the initial dose for at least 5 days, after which the initial dose can be adjusted to an optimal maintenance dose. The dose of this medicine should remain unchanged if a second diuretic is added. Uses: -Treatment of edematous conditions in patients with congestive heart failure who only partially respond or do not tolerate other therapeutic measures or who are taking digitalis when other therapies are considered inappropriate - Treatment of edematous states in patients with liver cirrhosis accompanied by oedema and ascites. -Treatment of edematous states in patients with nephrotic syndrome when treatment of the underlying disease, restriction of fluid and sodium intake and the use of other diuretics do not provide an adequate response.

Dosage for Hypertension

Initially, the dosage is 50 to 100 mg per day

Therapy duration: The treatment should be continued for 2 weeks for achieving maximum response.

Dosage for Congestive Heart failure

Initially, the dosage is 25 mg once in a day.

Maintenance dose: Patients who tolerate the initial dose: may increase to 50 mg orally once a day as clinically indicated - Patients who do not tolerate the initial dose: may decrease to 25 mg orally every other day Use: To increase survival and reduce the need for hospitalization for critically ill heart failure patient

Missed dose:

Missing one or two-dose of Spironolactone won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.

Overdose:

Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Spironolactone tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.

Allergic Warnings:

• Trouble in breathing
• Swelling the throat or tongue
• Hives

Spironolactone Storage:

Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.

Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).

Before taking Spironolactone consult your Doctor. In case you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Spironolactone rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Spironolactone.

Spironolactone vs Eplerenone:

Spironolactone	Eplerenone
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic which helps in preventing the body from absorbing too much salt and also keeps the potassium levels from getting very low. This is also used for treating heart failure, high blood pressure and hypokalemia.	Eplerenone is used with the combination of other medications for treating high blood pressure. Eplerenone is in the class of medication which is called mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.
Spironolactone is used for treating high blood pressure and heart failure. Lowering the high blood pressure helps in preventing strokes, heart attacks and various kidney problems. The medication is also used for treating swelling that is caused by various conditions and by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms like breathing problems.	Eplerenone is used for treating high blood pressure. The medications help in lowering the blood pressure which helps in reducing the chance of getting a stroke or heart attack.
Some of the serious side effects of Spironolactone are: Muscle weakness, pain and cramps Inability to move arms and legs Irregular heartbeat Confusion Nausea Tiredness Unsteadiness Dizziness Unusual bleeding Lack of energy Loss of appetite	Some of the serious side effects of Eplerenone are Dehydration Fatigue Muscle weakness Tiredness Irregular heartbeat Nausea