Spironolactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood). Spironolactone also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome..
In this manner, what is spironolactone good for?
Aldactone removes excess fluid from the body in congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney disease. It also can be used in combination with other drugs to treat elevated blood pressure, and for treating diuretic-induced low potassium (hypokalemia).
what foods should be avoided when taking spironolactone? Avoid taking salt substitutes that contain potassium or potassium supplements while taking spironolactone. Try to avoid foods high in potassium (such as avocados, bananas, coconut water, spinach, and sweet potato) because eating these foods may lead to potentially fatal hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).
Likewise, what are the side effects of spironolactone?
Common Side Effects of Spironolactone
- Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain or cramps.
- Dry mouth and thirst.
- Dizziness, unsteadiness, and headache.
- Gynecomastia (enlarged breast tissue) in men, and breast pain in women.
- Irregular menstrual periods and post-menopausal vaginal bleeding.
- Erectile dysfunction.
How long does it take for spironolactone to start working?
Spironolactone results typically appear within a few weeks, but Zeichner says the drug reaches "peak effect" at around three months.
Related Question Answers
Should I drink more water when taking spironolactone?
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.Does spironolactone make you gain weight?
There are concerns that spironolactone can cause weight gain, but there isn't much evidence it does. For example, the package insert for the drug doesn't list weight gain as a side effect. Along with weight gain, many people worry that spironolactone will make their skin look worse when they first start taking it.Does spironolactone reduce facial hair?
Androgens such as testosterone are responsible for hair growth on the face, chest, and stomach that some young women with PCOS have. Spironolactone works by lowering the level of androgens, which lessens hair growth and improves acne.Does spironolactone help hair growth?
Spironolactone slows down the production of androgens. These are male sex hormones, including testosterone. Reduced production of androgens can slow down the progression of hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia. This combination was associated with reduced shedding, increased hair growth, and thicker hair.Does spironolactone make you tired?
YOU CAN FEEL MORE TIRED THAN USUAL "Spironolactone blocks the hormone aldosterone, which can lead to fatigue," Dr. Shah explains. "In addition, it can lower the blood pressure, and if this drop is sudden, you may feel tired."What is the best time of day to take spironolactone?
How to use Spironolactone. Take this medication by mouth, as directed by your doctor. If stomach upset occurs, take it with food or milk. It is best to take your dose early in the day (before 6 p.m.) to prevent having to get up during the night to urinate.What is spironolactone 25mg tablets used for?
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. Spironolactone is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).Is Spironolactone bad for your kidneys?
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). These conditions may cause you to lose too much water or salt and may lead to low blood pressure.Can you stop taking spironolactone suddenly?
If you stop taking it suddenly: If you stop taking this drug, you may start retaining water. You may also have a sudden increase in your blood pressure. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke. If you don't take it on schedule: If you don't take this drug on schedule, your blood pressure might not be controlled.Does spironolactone cause mood swings?
Of the individual symptoms, spironolactone significantly improved irritability, depression, feeling of swelling, breast tenderness and food craving in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Spironolactone appears to be an effective therapy for the negative mood changes and somatic symptoms in PMS.Does spironolactone dry out your skin?
“Spironolactone is in general very safe,” Dr. Herrmann tells TZR. “It doesn't risk resistance and gut disruption like many oral antibiotics or leave the skin overly dry and irritated like many topicals.” “It is prescribed at a very low dose for acne, so it does not affect your blood pressure,” Dr.Is Spironolactone safe for long term use?
BACKGROUND: Spironolactone has been used for over 20 years as an antiandrogen in the treatment of acne and hirsutism. No long-term studies of the safety of spironolactone used in this manner have been published. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe.Does spironolactone make your breasts bigger?
Spironolactone frequently causes breast pain and breast enlargement in women. Spironolactone also commonly and dose-dependently produces gynecomastia (breast development) as a side effect in men. At low doses, the rate is only 5 to 10%, but at high doses, up to or exceeding 50% of men may develop gynecomastia.Can I take ibuprofen with spironolactone?
ibuprofen spironolactone Before taking spironolactone, tell your doctor if you also use ibuprofen. You may need dose adjustments or special tests in order to safely take both medications together. Do not stop using your medications without first talking to your doctor first.Can spironolactone help me lose weight?
Spironolactone is a prescription medication. There is no evidence that spironolactone works specifically for weight loss. But spironolactone might help reduce weight that's related to fluid retention, especially in women with bloating and swelling due to PMS.Does spironolactone lower heart rate?
Spironolactone is commonly known as a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means in exchange for relieving the body of sodium and water, it makes the body retain potassium. This is how spironolactone works to protect the heart, lower blood pressure, and help with any leg swelling that a weak heart can cause.How long can you take spironolactone?
Spironolactone has sufficient data to suggest that long-term use appears to be safe overall. There was one long-term study with patients who received spironolactone for up to 8 years for the treatment of acne vulgaris (Shaw and White). Spironolactone can be used as monotherapy or in combination with OCs safely.Does spironolactone dehydrate you?
Diuretics help you to lose water, so you can breathe or move more easily. If, however, you lose too much fluid, you may become dehydrated. Because spironolactone is a potassium-conserving diuretic, you should try to avoid things with a high potassium content, such as 'salt substitutes' or low-sodium salt.How many mg of spironolactone should I take for acne?
DOSAGES. The dosage of spironolactone for acne is 25-200 mg/day in one to two divided doses. A study that used 50 mg spironolactone twice a day on Days 5 through 21 of women's menstrual cycle had a high rate of success with low incidence of side effects (Harper, 2006). 
