Spironolactone
About
Spironolactone belongs to a class of medicine called 'diuretics' (water pills), primarily used to remove excess water from the body and treat fluid overload (oedema). It also maintains the bloodstream's potassium level and prevents hypertension (high blood pressure due to oedema (fluid retention). Oedema or fluid overload is associated with pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lung) or heart failure (irregular heart pumping). Leg swelling is the main characteristic of oedema, accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and swelling in other hands or abdomen areas.
Spironolactone contains spironolactone, which is a short-acting diuretic prescribed for the treatment of resistant oedema (fluid overload) associated with pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), heart failure, and hepatic cirrhosis (chronic liver damage). Spironolactone works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack, stroke, or angina (chest pain) in the future.
Your doctor will advise you how often you take Spironolactone based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience low blood pressure (hypotension), dehydration, dizziness, electrolyte disturbances (potassium and sodium), increased creatinine level in the blood, headache, nausea, and breast enlargement in males. Most of these side effects of Spironolactone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking Spironolactone of your own as doing so may raise your blood pressure, thereby increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from any kidney, liver, or heart disease. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Spironolactone can be prescribed accordingly. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to Spironolactone. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling.
Uses of Spironolactone
Medicinal Benefits
Spironolactone contains 'Spironolactone', which acts as a short-acting diuretic (water pill) prescribed for the treatment of resistant oedema (fluid overload) associated with pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), heart failure, and hepatic cirrhosis (chronic liver damage). Spironolactone works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack, stroke, or angina (chest pain) in the future.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Spironolactone
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Dehydration
- Dizziness
- Electrolyte disturbances (potassium and sodium)
- Increased creatinine level in the blood
- Headache
- Nausea
- Breast enlargement in males
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Spironolactone should not be given to the people allergic to Spironolactone, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease (with creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min), liver disease, pregnant women, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Besides this, it is contraindicated in low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), anuria (unable to urinate), diabetes, and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Spironolactone can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown, so it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Spironolactone and breastfeeding. Do not take any extra potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods (bananas, broccoli) with Spironolactone, as it may lead to an excessive increase in blood potassium level (hyperkalemia).
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Spironolactone may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin), and it can lower your blood pressure leading to severe condition. Besides this, it also interacts with anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital), anti-depression medicines (alprazolam), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine), and painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin), etc.
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Spironolactone to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Spironolactone should not be given to the people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver disease, or heart failure, low serum potassium (hypokalemia), and patients with nil urine output (anuria), diabetes.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Spironolactone to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionSpironolactone is not suggested during pregnancy since there is insufficient evidence on how it may impact a growing infant.
Breast Feeding
unsafeBreast-feeding must be avoided during treatment with Spironolactone.
Driving
unsafeIt is not recommended to drive after taking Spironolactone as it may occasionally cause drowsiness due to orthostatic hypotension (sudden drop in blood pressure on standing from a lying position).
Liver
cautionSpironolactone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current liver conditions.
Kidney
cautionSpironolactone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current liver conditions.
Children
unsafeSpironolactone is not recommended for children below 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume antioxidant-rich food. Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers are high in antioxidants.
- Eat natural diuretic foods. Asparagus, beets, green beans, grapes, onion, leafy greens, pineapple, leeks, pumpkin, and garlic are all-natural diuretic foods.
- Use healthy cooking oils like soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
- You should avoid refined foods such as white bread, spaghetti, sugar, and red meat.
- Reduce or eliminate Trans fatty acids, which are found in commercially baked items such as cookies, cakes, crackers, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and processed foods.
- Avoid consumption of too much salt or salty food.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Regular physical activity or exercise like walking improves your blood flow.
- When possible, elevate your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillows.
- Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is the best strategy to lower the risk of many health complications.
Special Advise
- Treatment with Spironolactone requires regular monitoring of serum potassium, sodium, and creatinine level. Besides this, your kidney function tests should be done regularly.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Oedema: Oedema, also known as fluid overload, occurs due to fluid build-up in spaces between the cells. Oedema can result from a variety of factors. Some oedema reasons are caused by your lifestyle, while an underlying medical problem causes others. Shortness of breath, chest pain (angina), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and swelling in hands or abdominal areas are the symptoms of oedema.
Hypertension: The blood exerts increased pressure on the walls of blood vessels leading to hypertension. High blood pressure is expressed as systolic/diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats or pumps out blood. Diastolic pressure is the pressure in the arteries between the heartbeats. Blood pressure is measured in millimetres of mercury (mmHg) by a blood pressure monitor called a sphygmomanometer. Some of the symptoms are headache, dizziness, nosebleeds, altered vision, chest pain, weakness, and shortness of breath. However, most of the time, the signs and symptoms of hypertension are none.
FAQs
Spironolactone contains spironolactone, which is a short-acting diuretic prescribed for the treatment of resistant oedema (fluid overload) associated with pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), heart failure, and hepatic cirrhosis (chronic liver damage). Spironolactone works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease. This reduces the heart's workload and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack, stroke, or angina (chest pain) in the future.
Yes, Spironolactone may cause changes in the menstrual cycle. It can lead to irregular and painful periods. In addition to this, taking Spironolactone can also lead to pain and swelling of the breast. If any of these problems persist and discomfort increases, please consult your doctor for the best advice.
Spironolactone is known to increase the blood potassium level. So, if you take any extra potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods such as bananas and broccoli, it may lead to an excessive increase in potassium level and lead to hyperkalemia.
It is a condition in which people are unable to urinate. If you have anuria, please be very cautious while taking Spironolactone to lead to kidney damage.
Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the breast, especially in males. Spironolactone may cause enlarged breasts in both males and females. If you feel breast enlargement, please stop taking Spironolactone as stopping Spironolactone may help in this symptom going away.
