Health Library

Spironolactone (By mouth)

Spironolactone (spir-on-oh-LAK-tone)

Treats high blood pressure, heart failure, edema (fluid retention), or high levels of aldosterone (a hormone). This medicine is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill).

Brand Name(s):

Aldactone, Carospir

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• This medicine may be taken with or without food, but it should be taken the same way (with or without food) each day.
• Measure the oral liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. Shake well before each use.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Do not use this medicine together with eplerenone.
• Some foods and medicines can affect how spironolactone works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:
  • Acetylsalicylic acid, cholestyramine, cisplatin, digoxin, heparin, lithium, midazolam, repaglinide, sirolimus, tacrolimus, trimethoprim
  • Another blood pressure medicine (including ACE inhibitors, ARBs)
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen)
  • Steroid medicine (including hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)
• Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium. You could have high levels of potassium in your blood that would cause serious health problems.
• Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used with this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, gout, or trouble urinating.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Low blood pressure
  • Kidney problems
  • Electrolyte imbalance
  • High uric acid and blood sugar
  • Gynecomastia (enlarged breast)
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in the normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash
• Blood in your stools or dark stools, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
• Confusion, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
• Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting
• Increased hunger or thirst, change in how much or how often you urinate, unusual weight loss
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting
• Muscle twitching
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Breast swelling, enlargement, pain, or tenderness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024