For what conditions or diseases is this medicine prescribed?

Treats hypertension, heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome or for high blood pressure

Aldactone is used to treat swelling and fluid retention in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or kidney problems (nephrotic syndrome). It is also used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It can also be used to treat or prevent low blood potassium. It can also be used to treat excess secretion of the hormone aldosterone by the adrenal gland. Aldactone is a potassium sparing diuretic. It works by blocking the hormone aldosterone, causing the kidney to get rid of excess water, saving potassium and lowering blood pressure.

DO NOT use Aldactone if:

• are allergic to any ingredient in Aldactone
• you are unable to urinate, have severe kidney problems, or have high levels of potassium in your blood
• you are taking a potassium supplement, another potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, amiloride, triamterene), or another aldosterone blocker (eg, eplerenone).

Contact your doctor or healthcare provider immediately if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Aldactone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
• if you are taking any medications, herbal preparations or dietary supplements, with or without a prescription
• if you are allergic to medicines, foods or other substances
• if you have high acidity in your body fluids; low blood sodium levels; high levels of potassium in the blood; kidney, liver, or heart disease; diabetes; or high levels of urea or nitrogen in the blood
• if you have a menstrual illness.

Some medications may interact with Aldactone. Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Adrenocorticotropic (corticotropin) hormone (ACTH) or corticosteroids (eg, prednisone) or because low blood electrolyte levels may occur
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotics (eg, morphine) because dizziness may occur when standing up
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, valsartan), cyclosporine, macrolide immunosuppressants (eg, tacrolimus), other aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), other potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride triamterene), or potassium supplements because elevated blood potassium levels may occur (eg, apathy, confusion, abnormal skin sensations in the arms and legs, heaviness in the extremities, slow heart rate, irregular heartbeat, life-threatening slow or irregular heartbeat)
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because they may decrease the effectiveness of Aldactone 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 with Aldactone
• Pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Aldactone.

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your doctor if Aldactone might interact with other medications you take. Check with your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing the dose of any medicine.

How should this medicine be used?

Use Aldactone as directed by your doctor.

• Take Aldactone by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Aldactone may increase the amount of urine you urinate or make you urinate more often when you first start taking it. To avoid this disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 p.m.
• If you miss a dose of Aldactone, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. If you forget to take more than one dose, take the medicine again and tell your doctor or pharmacist at your next appointment.

Ask your doctor any questions you have on how to use Aldactone.

What are the side effects that this medicine could cause?

Important safety information:

• Aldactone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medications. Use Aldactone with caution. Do not drive or perform other potentially unsafe tasks until you know how you react.
• Aldactone can increase the potassium levels in your body. This is more likely to occur in people with kidney problems or diabetes, in the elderly, or if the patient is seriously ill. Potassium levels should be closely monitored in people with any of these problems or illnesses. If left untreated, high potassium levels can be deadly.
• Check with your doctor before using a salt substitute or product that contains potassium.
• Lab tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, blood potassium, and chemistry tests, may be done while you are using Aldactone. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
• Use Aldactone with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Aldactone should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and efficacy in children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, consult your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aldactone while you are pregnant. Aldactone is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aldactone.

Use Aldactone as directed by your doctor.

How is Aldactone (Spironolactone) stored?

Store Aldactone at room temperature, between 15 and 25 degrees C, in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture and light. Do not store it in the bathroom. Keep Aldactone out of the reach of children and away from pets.

what should I do in case of an overdose?

Important safety information:

• Aldactone may cause dizziness or drowsiness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medications. Use Aldactone with caution. Do not drive or perform other potentially unsafe tasks until you know how you react.
• Aldactone can increase the potassium levels in your body. This is more likely to occur in people with kidney problems or diabetes, in the elderly, or if the patient is seriously ill. Potassium levels should be closely monitored in people with any of these problems or illnesses. If left untreated, high potassium levels can be deadly.
• Check with your doctor before using a salt substitute or product that contains potassium.
• Lab tests, including kidney function, blood pressure, blood potassium, and chemistry tests, may be done while you are using Aldactone. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all medical and laboratory appointments.
• Use Aldactone with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Aldactone should be used with extreme caution in children; safety and efficacy in children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, consult your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aldactone while you are pregnant. Aldactone is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aldactone.