Aldactone (Spironolactone)

        Magnium and potassium-sparing diuretic and aldosterone antagonist. It competitively associates with aldosterone receptors in the distal parts of the nephron. It has a diuretic effect, increases excretion of natrium ions and decreases excretion of potassium and magnium, decreases urinary acidity. The diuretic effect of the medicine is moderate and appears usually after 2-5 days of treatment and continues during 2-3 days after discontinuance of the medicine intake. A weak hypotension effect appears usually in 2-3 weeks of treatment. Aldactone is used in combination with other drugs to treat hypertension. It also facilitates removal of excess fluid from the body in congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease.

        The daily dose for adults in arterial hypertension, oedema syndrome is 50-100 mg for adults. It should be divided into 1-2 intakes a day. On the necessity, the dose may be gradually increased up to 200 mg a day. Duration of treatment is not less than two weeks. For other conditions such as chronic congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome and other different dosages may be recommended. Consult your doctor before you decide to take this medicine. Aldactone should be taken after a meal and the most preferable is a single dose before bedtime.

Precautions

Do not drink alcohol as it increases some of the side effects of Aldactone. Avoid eating too much salt because an excess of alt maybe cause your body to retain water and the effectiveness of Aldactone decreases. It is recommended not to take salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products which contain potassium. Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercising. Talk with your doctor about the number of liquids you should consume. Do not stop using this medicine even if you feel improvement of youth health if you are being treated for high blood pressure.

    Hypersensitivity, Addison disease, hypercalcemia, hyperpotassaemia, concomitant intake with potassium supplements or other potassium-sparing diuretics such as Aldactazide, amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), hyponatremia, chronic kidney failure, diabetic nephropathy, anuria, liver failure, diabetes at supposed chronic kidney failure, diabetic nephropathy, pregnancy, and some others. Please take this medicine only if it is advised by your doctor.

        Side effects of the medicine include headache, diarrhoea, cramps, drowsiness, rash, nausea, vomiting, impotence, irregular menstrual periods, and irregular hair growth. Fluid and electrolytes imbalance are likely, so patients should be monitored carefully. Enlargement of the breasts may also occur depending on the dose and duration of therapy. This condition is usually reversible when you discontinue taking Aldactone.

        This medicine can lower blood sodium levels while raising blood potassium levels. Excessively high potassium levels in blood sometimes cause potentially life-threatening abnormalities in heart rhythm. Therefore, Aldactone usually is not administered with other agents that can raise blood potassium levels. Aldactone can cause elevation of blood digoxin (Lanoxin) to toxic levels.

        Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.

        Immediate medical attention in needed in case you overdosed intake of the medicine. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, red skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

        Aldactone should be stored at room temperature, below 25 C (77 F).