Spironolactone

What is Spironolactone for?

Spironolactone belongs to a class of medications called Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (MRA). It works on your kidneys to remove extra water and salts in your body. This will decrease the pressure on the blood vessels and allow the heart to work less hard. It is also used to reduce the amount of fluid present in the lungs as a result of heart failure.

Heart failure is a condition where the heart is weak and is unable to pump enough blood to the rest of the body. This medication is used in heart failure to improve the survival rate, reduce the symptoms of heart failure such as breathlessness or leg swelling and reduce the chance of being admitted to the hospital because of heart failure.

This medication may also be used to treat high blood pressure or high aldosterone (a type of hormone) levels.

How should I take or use Spironolactone?

• Do not stop taking your medication without checking with your healthcare professional.
• You should take this medication with or after food.
• If you are taking one dose a day, take it in the morning. If you are taking the medicine two times a day, take the second dose before 6pm so that you do not need to wake up often at night to urinate.

What should I do if I forget to take or use Spironolactone?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose or use extra medication to make up for the missed dose. 

What precautions should I take when taking or using Spironolactone?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You have any kidney problems

What are some common side effects of Spironolactone?

• Passing urine more often
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• This may occur especially when you get up quickly from lying or sitting down. Getting up slowly or changing posture slowly may help. Take a rest by sitting or lying down if you feel dizzy.
• Breast pain or increase in size of breast in men, changes in menstrual cycle in women
• Increased potassium levels in your blood
• Your doctor may monitor your potassium levels and kidney function regularly when you are on this medication. 

Inform your healthcare professional if these side effects do not go away and become bothersome to you.

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store Spironolactone?

• Keep away from children
• Keep in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight

• Throw away all expired medications.

How do I throw away Spironolactone safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.