What is Aldactone?
Aldactone (spironolactone) is an aldosterone receptor antagonist that works by helping your kidneys to eliminate the excessive amounts of water and sodium from the body and can be used for patients diagnosed with fluid retention, low potassium levels and hyperaldosteronism, as well as a number of other conditions as prescribed by your health care provider. This drug is sometimes used for females that developed abnormal facial hare. Make sure you discuss all the risks and benefits of such treatment, especially if you are regnant or breastfeeding.
Dosage of Aldactone
Make sure you do not exceed the dose recommended and avoid skipping or missing doses, as this way your treatment will become less efficient or its efficiency will not change, but you can develop unpleasant side effects. Take each dose with a drink of water and never take Aldactone more often or in larger doses to avoid unpleasant side effects of this medication.
How you are supposed to take Aldactone
Unless your health care provider recommended otherwise, you are supposed to take this medication once a day in the morning. However, some patients are recommended to take it twice a day, so it's really important that you read the label carefully or talk to your doctor before taking Aldactone for the first time. You may be started on the lowest dose of this medication that can be increased gradually depending on how you respond to the treatment. This drug helps control high blood pressure, but is not going to cure it. It's therefore important that you keep on taking this drug regularly just as recommended to get the most benefits from the treatment. Before you feel the full effects of this medication, about two weeks can pass. Make sure you keep taking it even if you do not feel the effects. However, if after two weeks of the treatment no changes occur – talk to your health care provider to see if your dose needs to be adjusted.
What you need to discuss with your health care provider before using Aldactone
Tell your doctor if you have or used to have heart disease, liver disease, or in case you are using a steroid, or another diuretic, as these can be important factors in determining the possibility of taking Aldactone. You may be recommended a lower dose or will be monitored carefully for side effects. This drug is FDA category C. This category means that it is not known for sure whether this medicine can affect the health of an unborn baby, but it does pass into breast milk. You need to discuss all the risks and benefits of the treatment before starting it in case you are pregnant.
Serious and mild side effects
The following are considered to be mild side effects of Aldactone: vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, dry mouth, thirst, dizziness, headache, vaginal bleeding increased hair growth, impotence, drowsiness, and tiredness. They are not supposed to be reported to your doctor unless they persist for several days. The following serious side effects are to be reported as soon as possible: yellowing of the skin or eyes, signs of infection, flu-like symptoms, itching, difficulty breathing or swallowing, muscle weakness, changes in heartbeat, confusion, nausea, unusual bruising, lack of energy, loss of appetite, vomiting blood, decreased urination, and blurred vision. If you combine this medicine with alcohol it can contribute to the dizziness sometimes caused by this drug. Make sure you avoid drinking alcohol and talk to your doctor about any other dietary requirements. Your diet is typically supposed to be low in sodium and you need to exercise regularly. Potassium rich foods are very important – such as bananas, raisins and prunes.
Aldactone drug interactions
Make sure you are not combining Aldactone with potassium supplements, triamterene, or amiloride. You may not be able to take Aldactone if you are using any of the medications mentioned. Inform your health care provider of any other medications you are currently using such as ACE inhibitors, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, digoxin, diuretics, barbiturates, medications to treat high blood pressure, lithium, oral steroids, methylprednisolone, prednisone, and pain medications. The drugs mentioned can cause interference by making Aldactone less efficient, leading to side effects and increasing the effects of Aldactone, which is not always a positive thing.
Is an overdose of Aldactone possible?
An overdose of Aldactone is possible if you take more of it than prescribed and can produce the following symptoms: drowsiness, confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, confusion, lack of energy, and irregular heartbeat. Seek emergency medical help if you think you may have taken too much of Aldactone. Make sure you report any cases of too much Aldactone being taken by other people. Taking more of Aldactone is not going to make your treatment more effective, so make sure you never exceed the dose prescribed.