Spironolactone

Spironolactone is a type of medicine which is known as potassium sparing diuretic and it is used to prevent your body from absorbing too much salt and maintain suitable level of potassium in the body. It is used to treat a condition of having too much aldosterone in the body. The aldosterone is a type of hormone which is produced by the adrenal gland that functions to regulate the salt and water in the body. Spironolactone is also helpful in fluid retention in the people who have congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of liver or kidney disorder, known as nepthrotic syndrome. The medication is also used to avoid the condition of hypokalemia.

In certain medical conditions like kidney disease, and high potassium levels, or if you are using potassium supplements like aldactazide, amiloride, or triamterene, then you should avoid taking the Spironolactone medication. If you have heart disease, liver disease, if you are using a steroid or other diuretic, then you are unable to use the medication or you need special monitoring during the treatment with spironolactone. The medication belongs to FDA pregnancy category C which means that it may be harmful to an unborn baby and so you should discuss with your doctor before taking the medication. The medication also passes into milk of nursing mother and could harm a nursing baby, so if you are breast-feeding a baby then consult with your doctor.



Take the medication exactly as prescribed to you by your doctor and don’t take larger amount of the medication. Take each dose with water and try to drink more water in order to lessen any negative aspect of the medication. You should carry out scheduled visits to your doctor in order to test your blood on regular basis. If you need surgery then you should tell your surgeon that you are taking spironolactone. Keep the medicine at room temperature and away from heat and moisture.

If you miss a dose then take it as soon as you get remembered and if it is almost the time to take next scheduled dose then skip the missed dose and follow your regular schedule doses. Don’t try to take double doses at the same time. If you experience overdose then you should get emergency medical help. The symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness, confusion, and red skin rash. While taking the medication, you should avoid alcohol because it increases the side effects of spironolactone. You should not use the medicines that make you light-headed. Avoid all the products which include low-sodium milk products and that contain potassium, because they increase the level of potassium.

If you experience the following side effects like hives, difficulty in breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat then you should get emergency medical help. There are severe side effects like numbness or tingly feeling, muscle pain or weakness, irregular heartbeat, feeling drowsy, restless or light-headed, tremors, confusion, nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, and dark urine etc. in such cases, you need to stop the medication and get emergency medical attention.