Brand Names: Aldactone

Generic Name: spironolactone (Pronunciation: spir ON oh LAK tone)

• What is spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• What are the possible side effects of spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• What is the most important information I should know about spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• What should I discuss with my doctor before taking spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• How should I take spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Aldactone)?
• What happens if I overdose (Aldactone)?
• What should I avoid while taking spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• What other drugs will affect spironolactone (Aldactone)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is spironolactone (Aldactone)?

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).

Spironolactone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Aldactone 100 mg

round, peach/white, imprinted with SEARLE 1031, ALDACTONE 100

Aldactone 25 mg

round, yellow, imprinted with ALDACTONE 25, SEARLE 1001

Aldactone 50 mg

elliptical, peach, imprinted with SEARLE 1041, ALDACTONE 50

Spironolactone 100 mg-GRE

round, peach, imprinted with 5013, G

Spironolactone 100 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M 437

Spironolactone 100 mg-PP

round, white, imprinted with LOGO 673, R673

Spironolactone 100 mg-URL

oval, white, imprinted with MP 303

Spironolactone 25 mg-GG

round, white, imprinted with GG 85

Spironolactone 25 mg-GRE

round, yellow, imprinted with 5011, G

Spironolactone 25 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with MYLAN 146, 25

Spironolactone 25 mg-URL

round, white, imprinted with MP 35

Spironolactone 50 mg-GRE

oval, orange, imprinted with 5012, G

Spironolactone 50 mg-MYL

round, white, imprinted with M 243

Spironolactone 50 mg-PUR

oval, white, imprinted with R672

Spironolactone 50 mg-URL

round, white, imprinted with MP 542

What are the possible side effects of spironolactone (Aldactone)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using spironolactone and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• numbness or tingly feeling;
• muscle pain or weakness;
• slow, fast, or uneven heart rate;
• feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• shallow breathing;
• tremors, confusion;
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild nausea or vomiting;
• dizziness, headache;
• gas, stomach pain; or
• skin rash.

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.

Read the Aldactone (spironolactone) Side Effects Center for a complete guide to possible side effects »

What is the most important information I should know about spironolactone (Aldactone)?

You should not use spironolactone if you are allergic to it, or if you have kidney disease, high levels of potassium in your blood, or if you are unable to urinate. Do not use potassium supplements or other diuretics while you are taking spironolactone.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, or if you use a steroid or another diuretic.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of spironolactone.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.

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 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.

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.