Aldactone (Spironolactone) belongs to the class of medications known as diuretics (water pills). It is used to treat edema (fluid retention) that occurs with Congestive Heart Failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and nephrotic syndrome. It is also used to treat high blood pressure and to diagnose and treat primary hyperaldosteronism (a condition where too much aldosterone is produced by the adrenal glands).

Aldactone (Spironolactone) can also be used to treat or prevent hypokalemia (too little potassium in the body) when other methods are not appropriate. Aldactone (Spironolactone) works by making the body lose excess water and salt but reduces the loss of potassium from the body.

Aldactone (Spironolactone) may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of Aldactone (Spironolactone) may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of Aldactone (Spironolactone) may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested Aldactone (Spironolactone) for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking Aldactone (Spironolactone), speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking Aldactone (Spironolactone) without consulting your doctor.

Do not give Aldactone (Spironolactone) to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take Aldactone (Spironolactone) if their doctor has not prescribed it.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent. The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Aldactone (Spironolactone). If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Aldactone (Spironolactone) with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking Aldactone (Spironolactone). Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when rising from a lying or sitting position
• drowsiness
• Dry Mouth
• fatigue
• Fever
• frequent urination
• headache
• nausea
• thirst
• vomiting

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• confusion
• enlarged or painful breasts
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• fever
• increased infections
• irregular menstrual period
• muscle weakness or cramps
• rapid weight loss
• signs of Anemia (low red blood cells; e.g., dizziness, pale skin, unusual tiredness or weakness, shortness of breath)
• signs of bleeding (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood, bleeding gums, cuts that don't stop bleeding)
• signs and symptoms of imbalance of water, sodium or potassium in the body (e.g., muscle pain or cramps, weakness, irregular heart beat)
• signs of kidney problems (e.g., increased urination at night, decreased urine production, blood in the urine, swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)
• signs of pancreatitis (e.g., abdominal pain on the upper left side, back pain, nausea, fever, chills, rapid heartbeat, swollen abdomen)
• skin rash
• symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., frequent urination, increased thirst, excessive eating, unexplained weight loss, poor wound healing, infections, fruity breath odour)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• signs of a Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) such as difficulty breathing; Hives; or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
• signs of a severe skin reaction (e.g., blistering, peeling, a rash covering a large area of the body, a rash that spreads quickly, or a rash combined with fever or discomfort)
• signs of stomach bleeding such as vomiting of blood, stomach pain, black and tarry stools

25 mg
Each light yellow, round, biconvex, film-coated tablet, debossed "ALDACTONE" and "25" on one face and "SEARLE" and "1001" on the other face and with peppermint odour, contains Aldactone (Spironolactone) 25 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium sulfate, carnauba wax, cornstarch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, opaspray M-1-2042, peppermint flavouring, polyethylene glycol 400, povidone, and stearic acid.

100 mg
Each peach, round, biconvex, scored, film-coated tablet, debossed "ALDACTONE" and "100" on one face and "SEARLE" and "1031" on the other (scored) face and with peppermint odour, contains Aldactone (Spironolactone) 100 mg. Nonmedicinal ingredients: calcium sulfate, carnauba wax, cornstarch, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, opaspray M-1-2668, peppermint flavouring, polyethylene glycol 400, povidone, and stearic acid.

Do not take Aldactone (Spironolactone) if you:

• are allergic to Aldactone (Spironolactone) or any ingredients of the medication
• are unable to produce urine
• have Addison's Disease
• have high blood levels of potassium
• have rapidly worsening kidney function
• have significantly reduced kidney function
• are using Eplerenone, Heparin, or a low molecular weight heparin
• are pregnant
• are breast-feeding

There may be an interaction between Aldactone (Spironolactone) and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• Aldesleukin
• alcohol
• alpha/ beta agonists (e.g., Epinephrine, norepinephrine)
• alpha agonists (e.g., Clonidine, methyldopa)
• alpha blockers (e.g., Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, Tamsulosin)
• amifostine
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, lisdexamphetamine)
• angiotensin II antagonists (e.g., Candesartan, Valsartan)
• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors; e.g., Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril, Ramipril)
• Atorvastatin
• barbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital, butalbital)
• beta-adrenergic blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Propranolol, Sotalol)
• brimonidine
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., Amlodipine, Diltiazem, Nifedipine, Verapamil)
• Canagliflozin
• Cholestyramine
• ciprofloxacin
• corticosteroids (e.g., Prednisone, Dexamethasone)
• Cyclosporine
• Dapagliflozin
• diazoxide
• Digoxin
• other diuretics (water pills; e.g., Amiloride, Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide)
• dropspirenone
• Duloxetine
• eplerenone
• Guanfacine
• heparin
• levodopa
• lithium
• low molecular weight heparins (e.g., Dalteparin, Enoxaparin, Tinzaparin)
• Methylphenidate
• Minoxidil
• Mitotane
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Phenelzine, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• narcotic medications (e.g., Codeine, Morphine)
• nitrates (e.g., Nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• Nitrofurantoin
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketorolac, Naproxen)
• Obinutuzumab
• Pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (e.g., Sildenafil, Tadalafil, Vardenafil)
• potassium-containing medications, supplements, or salt-substitutes (e.g., potassium chloride, potassium citrate, potassium gluconate, potassium iodide, potassium phosphate)
• Quetiapine
• quinidine
• salicylates (e.g., Asa, salsalate)
• Risperidone
• Rituximab
• sodium phosphates
• Tacrolimus
• Tolvaptan
• Trimethoprim
• Yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Aldactone (Spironolactone). Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.