Aldactone

Aldactone treats high blood pressure and can help get rid of fluid retention. This medication can cause breast enlargement in men. Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium.

Aldactone Overview

Updated: 

Aldactone is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by various conditions. It is also used to treat low potassium levels and to diagnose and treat primary hyperaldosteronism, a condition in which the body produces too much of the hormone aldosterone.

This medication belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics ("water pills"). Specifically, it is a "potassium-sparing" diuretic known as an "aldosterone antagonist". By blocking aldosterone, Aldactone helps the body get rid of excess fluid  by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood, while still keeping potassium in the body. 

This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once or twice daily. Aldactone can be taken with or without food.

Common side effects of Aldactone include headache, nausea, and tiredness. Aldactone may cause drowsiness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

How was your experience with Aldactone?

First, a little about yourself

Tell us about yourself in a few words?

What tips would you provide a friend before taking Aldactone?

What are you taking Aldactone for?

Choose one
  • Other
  • Ascites
  • Edema
  • Heart Failure
  • Hirsutism
  • Hyperaldosteronism
  • Hypertension
  • Hypokalemia

How long have you been taking it?

Choose one
  • Less than a week
  • A couple weeks
  • A month or so
  • A few months
  • A year or so
  • Two years or more

How well did Aldactone work for you?

Did you experience many side effects while taking this drug?

How likely would you be to recommend Aldactone to a friend?

Pill Images

{{ slide.name }}
pill-image {{ slide.name }}
Color: {{ slide.color }} Shape: {{ slide.shape }} Size: {{ slide.size }} Score: {{ slide.score }} Imprint: {{ slide.imprint }}
<<
Prev
{{ slide.number }} of {{ slide.total }}
>>
Next

Aldactone Cautionary Labels

precautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautionsprecautions

Uses of Aldactone

Aldactone is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by various conditions. It is also used to treat low potassium levels and to diagnose and treat primary hyperaldosteronism, a condition in which the body produces too much of the hormone aldosterone.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Manufacturer

Aldactone Drug Class

Aldactone is part of the drug class:

Side Effects of Aldactone

Serious side effects may occur. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

  • diarrhea
  • cramping
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • impotence
  • irregular menstruation
  • bleeding after menopause
  • fever
  • rash
  • confusion
  • headache
  • drowsiness
  • tiredness

This is not a complete list of Aldactone side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Aldactone Interactions

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • ACE inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace) and others
  • other medications for high blood pressure
  • "loop diuretics" such as furosemide (Lasix) or torsemide (Demadex) and others
  • nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin) or naproxen (Aleve) and salicylates
  • corticosteroids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone (Cortef), and dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone, Hexadrol)
  • lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
  • potassium products including potassium chloride (K-Dur, Klor-Con, Micro-K), potassium citrate (Urocit-K, Polycitra-K), potassium gluconate, potassium phosphate (Neutra-Phos-K, K-Phos)
  • salt substitutes that contain potassium
  • alcohol
  • narcotics
  • barbiturates such as amobarbital (Amytal), butalbital (Fioricet, Fiorinal), phenobarbital (Luminal) and others
  • digoxin

This is not a complete list of Aldactone drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Aldactone Precautions

Serious side effects can occur including:

  • electrolyte imbalance. This medication may affect electrolytes including sodium and potassium. Your doctor will check these levels using a blood test. Warning signs of electrolyte imbalance include:
    • dry mouth
    • thirst
    • weakness
    • lack of energy
    • drowsiness
    • restlessness
    • muscle pains or cramps
    • muscle fatigue
    • low blood pressure
    • decreased urination
    • fast heart rate
    • nausea and vomiting
  • worsening of kidney disease
  • breast enlargement in men

This medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Do not take Aldactone if you:

  • are allergic to Aldactone or any other ingredients in Aldactone 
  • are not able to produce urine
  • have severe kidney disease
  • have high potassium levels

Aldactone Food Interactions

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Aldactone, salt substitutes containing potassium should be avoided.

 

Inform MD

Before taking Aldactone, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

  • have liver disease
  • have kidney disease
  • have electrolyte imbalances
  • are allergic to any medications
  • are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Aldactone and Pregnancy

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Aldactone falls into category C. In animals studies, pregnant animals were given this medication and had some babies born with problems. There are no well-controlled studies that have been done in humans with Aldactone, though. Therefore, this medication may be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.

Aldactone and Lactation

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The active metabolite of Aldactone has been detected in human breast milk. Because of the possibility for adverse reactions in nursing infants from Aldactone, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or to stop use of Aldactone. The importance of the drug to the mother should be considered.

Aldactone Usage

  • Take Aldactone exactly as prescribed.
  • This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once or twice daily.
  • Aldactone can be taken with or without food.
  • Because Aldactone increases urination, it is best taken in the morning to avoid having to get up in the night to urinate. If you take it more than once a day, take your last dose by late afternoon.
  • If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Aldactone Dosage

Take Aldactone exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The Aldactone dose your doctor recommends will be based on:

  • the condition being treated
  • other medical conditions you have
  • other medications you are taking
  • how you respond to this medication

For the diagnosis of hyperaldosteronism the daily dosage is 400 mg for either 4 days or 4 weeks.

For the treatment of hyperaldosteronism the dose ranges from 100 mg to 400 mg daily.

For the treatment of fluid retention, the recommended starting dose is 100 mg daily, but may range from 25 to 200 mg daily.

The recommended starting dose for the treatment of high blood pressure is 50 mg to 100 mg daily.

The recommendation for treating hypokalemia is 25 to 100 mg.

Aldactone Overdose

If you take too much Aldactone call your doctor or Poison Contol Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

Other Requirements

  • Store below 25°C (77°F).
  • Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

Aldactone FDA Warning

WARNING

Aldactone has been shown to be a tumorigen in chronic toxicity studies in rats. Unnecessary use of this drug should be avoided.