Spironolactone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Spironolactone?

What is Spironolactone for?

Spironolactone is a drug with a function to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure can prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. It can also be used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (for example, congestive heart failure) by removing excess fluid and increasing symptoms such as breathing problems.

This drug is also used to treat low potassium levels and abnormal conditions in the body, in which the body will secrete many natural chemicals (aldosterone).

Spironolactone is known as a "water pill" (potassium-sparing diuretic).

OTHER USES: This section lists uses for this drug that are not listed on approved labels, but may be prescribed by your healthcare professional. Use this medication for the conditions listed below only if it has been prescribed by your doctor and health care professional.

This drug has also been used to treat excessive hair growth (hirsutism) in women with polyclistic ovary disease.

The spironolactone dosage and the side effects of spironolactone are detailed below.

How to use Spironolactone?

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication as directed by your doctor. If you feel nauseous, it can be accompanied by food or milk. It's best to take the medicine in the morning (before 6pm) to avoid waking up at night to urinate. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

The dosage is always given based on your health condition and how you respond to therapy. In children, dosage is also based on body weight.

Take this medicine regularly in order to get maximum results. Remember to always take it at the same time each day as directed. It is very important to continue taking the medication even if you feel better. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick.

Take this medicine as recommended. Do not increase your dose, take it more often than recommended, or stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may get worse when you stop taking the drug suddenly.

Tell your doctor if your condition gets worse (for example, if you notice your blood pressure getting higher).

How is Spironolactone stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Spironolactone dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Spironolactone dosage for adults?

Dosage for adults with edema:

25 to 200 mg / day divided into 1 or 2 doses

Dosage for adults with hypertension:

25 to 200 mg / day divided into 1 or 2 doses

Dosage for adults with hypokalemia:

25 to 200 mg / day divided into 1 or 2 doses

Dosage for adults with an initial diagnosis of Hyperaldosteronism:

100 to 400 mg / day divided into 1 or 2 doses

Dosage for adults with hirsutism:

50 to 200 mg / day divided into 1 or 2 doses

Dosage for adults with congestive heart failure:

25 mg / day. Can be increased or decreased based on response and evidence of hyperkalemia.

Dosage for Adults with Early Stage Hyperaldosteronism:

Initial dose: 100 mg once a day. The dosage may be divided into two daily doses and increased every two to three days to the maximum recommended daily dose (400 mg). It is recommended that the dose be titrated to reduce sodium retention, hypertension, fatigue, hypokalemia, and other primary signs or symptoms of hyperaldosteronism in patients.

If the patient has adrenal adenoma or carcinoma, the lowest dose of spironolactone will be given in the lead up to surgery. However, for those with adrenal hyperplasia, it usually does not respond to surgery, and chronic spironolactone therapy is recommended.

Patients with adrenal hyperplasia often require other antihypertensive therapy to control the hypertension associated with them.

What is the dosage of Spironolactone for children?

Dosage for children with hypertension:

Neonatal: 1 to 3 mg / kg / day every 12 to 24 hours.

Children: 1.5 to 3.3 mg / kg / day or 60 mg / m2 / day divided into doses every 6 to 12 hours not to exceed 100 mg / day.

Dosage for children with a primary diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism:

Children: 100 to 400 mg / m2 / day divided into 1 or 2 doses

In what dosage is Spironolactone available?

Tablets: 25 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg

Spironolactone side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Spironolactone?

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

Stop using spironolactone and contact your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as:

• Numbness or tingling feeling
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
• Feeling tired, restless, or dizzy
• Urinating rarely or not at all
• Quick breath
• Tremor, confusion
• Nausea, pain in the upper abdomen, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• Allergic skin reactions - fever, sore throat, swelling of the face and tongue, hot eyes, sore skin, followed by a reddish or purplish rash that spreads (especially on the face and upper body) and causes the skin to blister and peel

Less serious effects include:

• Mild nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness, headache
• Stomach ache
• A rash appears on the skin

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Drug Warnings and Cautions Spironolactone

What should be known before using Spironolactone?

Before using certain drugs, consider the risks and benefits first. This is a decision you and your doctor will have to make. For this drug, pay attention to the following:

Allergy

Tell your doctor if you have any unusual or allergic reactions to this or any other medicine. Also tell your doctor if you have any other types of allergies such as to food, coloring, preservatives, or animal allergies. For over-the-counter products, read the labels on the packaging carefully.

Children

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effect of this drug in pediatric patients. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Elderly

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effect of this drug in elderly patients.

Is Spironolactone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category C according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Drug Interactions of Spironolactone

What medicines may interact with Spironolactone?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Although several drugs should not be used simultaneously, in other cases two different drugs may be used simultaneously even if interactions are possible. In this case, your doctor may change the dose, or other precautions may be needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs.

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this drug or change some of the medicines you have used.

• Eplerenone
• Triamterene

Using this medication with any of the following drugs is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or the frequency with which you use one or both drugs.

• Alacepril
• Arginine
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Benazepril
• Captopril
• Cilazapril
• Delapril
• Digoxin
• Droperidol
• Enalaprilat
• Enalapril Maleate
• Fosinopril
• Imidapril
• Levomethadyl
• Lisinopril
• Lithium
• Moexipril
• Pentopril
• Perindopril
• Potassium
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Sotalol
• Spirapril
• Tacrolimus
• Temocapril
• Trandolapril
• Trimethoprim
• Zofenopril

Using this medication with one of the following drugs will increase your risk of certain side effects, but taking the two drugs together may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Aspirin
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Celecoxib
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Dislunisal
• Digitoxin
• Dipyrone
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Gossypol
• Ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen Lysine
• Indomethacin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Licorice
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Pranoprofen
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sulindac
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Valdecoxib

Can food or alcohol interact with Spironolactone?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Spironolactone?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Addison's disease (adrenal problems)
• Anuria (unable to pass urine)
• Hyperkalemia (high calcium in the blood)
• Severe kidney disease⎯ should not be used in patients with this condition
• Electrolyte imbalance (for example, low chloride, magnesium or sodium in the body)
• Fluid imbalance (caused by dehydration, vomiting or diarrhea)
• Severe liver disease - use with caution. Can make conditions worse

Spironolactone overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms include:

• Sleepy
• Confused
• Rash on skin
• Nausea
• Throws up
• Dizzy
• Diarrhea
• Tingling in the arms and legs
• Muscles feel weak
• Feels limp or stiff in the legs
• Irregular heartbeat

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.