Spironolactone is used in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart failure. Lowering blood pressure can reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks. Spironolactone is also used to lessen the need for hospitalization for heart failure.

Spironolactone is also used to diagnose and treat hyperaldosteronism, a condition in which the adrenal gland produces too much hormone called aldosterone. This medicine may also be used to treat fluid retention (edema) in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill). It prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. This medicine is also used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium (salt) and potassium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

You may take this medicine with or without food, but it should be taken the same way (with or without food) each day.

Shake the oral liquid well before each use. Measure it with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Bleeding gums

bloody or black, tarry stools

bloody urine

blurred vision

breast pain

chest pain

clay-colored stools

clear or bloody discharge from the nipple

cloudy urine

confusion

constipation

cough

dark urine

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

diarrhea

difficulty with swallowing

dimpling of the breast skin

dizziness

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

drowsiness

fast or irregular heartbeat

fever with or without chills

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

heartburn

hives, itching, or skin rash

hoarseness

increased thirst

indigestion

inverted nipple

loss of appetite

loss of consciousness

lower back or side pain

lump in the breast or under the arm

muscle pain or cramps

muscle spasms or twitching

nausea

painful or difficult urination

persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple

pinpoint red spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

redness or swelling of the breast

seizures

severe stomach pain

shakiness and unsteady walk

sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

stomach cramping, burning, or tenderness

swelling of the face, fingers, feet, ankles, or lower legs

swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin

tightness in the chest

trembling

troubled breathing

unpleasant breath odor

unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

vomiting

vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

weight gain

yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

Irregular heartbeat

nervousness

numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin

reddened skin

weakness or heaviness of the legs

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Burning feeling in the chest or stomach

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

hair loss or thinning of the hair

inability to have or keep an erection

leg cramps

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

pain in the nipples

sores, welts, or blisters

stomach upset

swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

unusual dullness or feeling of sluggishness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

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

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to decide if you should continue to take it. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Do not take this medicine together with eplerenone (Inspra®). Using these medicines together may cause serious unwanted effects.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, certain diuretics (eg, amiloride, triamterene (Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®, Midamor®, Moduretic®), or other products containing spironolactone (Aldactazide®).

Hyperkalemia (high potassium in the blood) may occur while you are using this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms: stomach pain, confusion, difficulty with breathing, irregular heartbeat, nausea or vomiting, nervousness, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, or weakness or heaviness of the legs. Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium.

Spironolactone may worsen kidney function in patients with low to no salt in their body or in those who take other blood pressure medicines (eg, ARB, ACE inhibitor). Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may also occur, especially when you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. If you feel dizzy, lie down so you do not faint. Then sit for a few moments before standing to prevent the dizziness from returning.

This medicine may also cause electrolyte imbalances (including low sodium, magnesium, and calcium in the blood, hypochloremic alkalosis) and an increase in your uric acid and blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

Check with your doctor right away if you become sick while taking this medicine, especially if you have severe or continuing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea that does not stop. These conditions may cause you to lose too much water or salt and may lead to low blood pressure. You can also lose water by sweating, so drink plenty of water during exercise or in hot weather.

This medicine may cause swelling of the breasts (gynecomastia) and breast pain in some patients. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.