Spironolactone- Aldactone

1) Why is Spironolactone- Aldactone Prescribed?

Spironolactone (active ingredients) Pronounced - speer on oh lak' tone
Aldactone ®, Aldactazide ® containing active ingredients Spironolactone and Hydrochlorthiazide (brand names)

IMPORTANT WARNING:
Spironolactone has caused tumors in laboratory animals. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using this medication for your condition.

Spironolactone is used to treat certain people with hyperaldosteronism (the body produces too much aldosterone, a naturally occurring hormone); low potassium levels; and in people with edema (fluid retention) caused by various conditions, including heart, liver, or kidney disease.

Spironolactone is also used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Spironolactone is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium from the body.

Spironolactone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day in the morning or sometimes twice a day.

Spironolactone controls high blood pressure and hyperaldosteronism, but does not cure these conditions. It may take about 2 weeks or longer before the full effect of spironolactone occurs.

Other Uses For Spironolactone
Spironolactone is also used in combination with other medicines to treat:

Precocious Puberty
- A condition causing children to enter puberty too soon, resulting in the development of sexual characteristics in girls usually younger than 8 years of age and in boys usually younger than 9 years of age.

Myasthenia Gravis
- A disease in which the nerves do not function properly and people may experience weakness; numbness; loss of muscle coordination; and problems with vision, speech, and bladder control.

Spironolactone also may be used to treat certain females with abnormal facial hair. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses, ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

1) Why is Spironolactone Prescribed?

2) Side Effects of Spironolactone

3) Before Taking Spironolactone

References:
National Library of Medicine (NLM)
May 2007
http://medlineplus.gov

This summary does not include everything there is to know about the medicine mentioned above. Do not use this medicine without first talking to your doctor. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. Side effects other than those listed above may occur. This medicine may be prescribed for other uses. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.