ALDACTONE (SPIRONOLACTONE)

Aldactone Description

Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that may be prescribed to help reduce fluid retention, known as edema. Excess fluid in your body can cause swelling of your hands, feet, ankles, and around your eyes as a result of hypertension, congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of your liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. Your doctor may combine Aldactone with a thiazide diuretic that will decrease fluid retention more efficiently while Aldactone can prevent the absorption of too much salt and maintain a healthy potassium level in your body.

How Aldactone Blocks a Certain Hormone to Reduce Fluid Retention

A particular hormone known as Aldosterone is produced in your adrenal glands and is responsible for controlling the salt and water balance in your body by acting on your kidneys. High levels of this hormone can cause high blood pressure and low potassium levels. Aldactone blocks the actions of Aldosterone and in turn, will make your kidneys increase the amount of salt (sodium) that is filtered out of your blood and into your urine, with water right along with it.

You may find that you will have to urinate more often with the excess fluid and sodium being expelled, so you should not take Aldactone or generic Spironolactone right before bedtime. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Conditions Treated by Aldactone

For hypertension, sometimes a diuretic drug can help remove excess salt and fluid and your pressure will be better controlled. Taking just a thiazide diuretic may result in too much potassium also being removed, causing hypokalemia. To avoid this from happening, your doctor can prescribe Aldactone to be taken in addition to the thiazide diuretic.

The faster your body can rid itself of excess fluid and salt, the better. Certain cancers and a liver disease called cirrhosis can cause abnormal swelling (edema) in your abdominal cavity from excess fluid. This type of fluid retention is called ascites and it can make you very uncomfortable unless the fluid build-up is reduced. Aldactone will not cure cirrhosis of the liver, heart or kidney disease, or hypertension, but it can help reduce the edema and provide relief while keeping your potassium levels balanced.

Before You Take Aldactone

Consult your doctor about any risks when taking Aldactone while you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. Discuss other medical conditions or allergies you have and provide information on any OTC or Rx drugs you are taking, including herbal remedies and vitamin or dietary supplements. This will help your doctor determine if Aldactone is safe for you to take.

Aldactone Precautions

Until you know how Aldactone will affect you, do not drive or participate in any activities that may be considered unsafe if you are not alert or in control of your body. Your doctor may require you to have frequent blood tests while taking Aldactone to track your progress. Tell your surgeon that you are taking Aldactone if you are undergoing any surgical procedures as you may be asked to stop treatment until after the surgery.

Possible Side Effects of Aldactone

• Dizziness
• Leg cramps
• Mild nausea
• Headache
• Drowsiness