SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)

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Questions | Reviews **~

Long term use of spironolactone


I was prescribed spironolactone about 2 years ago by a gynocologist to help prevent excessive facial hair growth. I do not have any medical or hormonal reasons for the excess of hair on my face. The spironolactone has helped, but my new doctor and pha...
by roo in california usa, 05/24/2006

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Drug and Prescription Information

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Medication Classification

SPIRONOLACTONE (By mouth)

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Brandname

Aldactone

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) is used for the Treatment

Spironolactone (speer-on-oh-LAK-tone) Treats fluid retention (edema), high blood pressure, and other conditions such as low potassium levels in the blood (hypokalemia). This medicine is a diuretic ("water pill").

When To Not Use SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to spironolactone, or if you have kidney disease, high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), or if you are pregnant or unable to urinate. You should not use this medicine if you are also taking similar diuretics such as triamterene (Dyazide®, Dyrenium®, Maxzide®) or spironolactone (Aldactazide®, Aldactone®).

How Should You Use SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)

Tablet

  • Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to take and how often. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than your doctor tells you to.
  • Carefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet.
    • If a dose is missed:
  • If you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose.
  • Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Proper SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Storage

Store SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture unless otherwise stated by manufacturer's instructions or labelling. Keep SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) and all medications out of the reach of children.

What To Avoid While Using SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using cyclosporine (Neoral®, Sandimmune®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), lithium, potassium supplements, salt substitutes, triamterene (Dyrenium®), or other blood pressure medicine (such as Accupril®, Altace®, Capoten®, Lotensin®, Monopril®, Prinivil®, Univasc®, Vasotec®, Zestril®).
  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Warnings

  • Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have diabetes or menstrual problems.
  • This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
  • Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Side Effects

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

  • Confusion, weakness, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
  • Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting
  • Fever, chills, cough, hoarseness
  • Problems urinating, pain in side or lower back
  • Skin rash or itching
    • If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
  • Breast enlargement in men
  • Breast tenderness, changes in hair growth, irregular menstrual periods in women
  • Mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach cramps
  • Problems having sex

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet) Ratings

Overall Rating:

2.5**~

 

(based on 5 reviews)

Effectiveness:

**~

Ease of Use:

***~

Overall Satisfaction:

**

Reviewit

Reviews

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)
1.0

Effectiveness: *

Ease of Use: *

Overall Satisfaction: *

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Alison, Ca, USA - 06/06/2016

I gained 10 lbs a month while using this for 5 months. It made me sweat like a dog and increased my blood pressure. I'm still trying to recover from this demon pill. I was not warned by my doctor of the possible side affects, even when asked.
I have treated my acne holistically and it is gone but I am still struggling to get my health back conpletely. Don't try unless you are DESPERATE.

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SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)
3.5

Effectiveness: ***

Ease of Use: *****

Overall Satisfaction: **

Avatar_thumbnail

Mary McSurdy, texas - 01/04/2010

I have been on Spironolactone for over 6 months now for my acne. I had been taking Doryx, which was working wonders on my acne. Within a few months of switching to Spironolactone my acne flared up again. I was taking 50mg of Spironolactone at this time per the recommendation of my dermatologist. I was upset over the increase in my acne. I also started to have to urinate more or having the sensation to urinate more, which I assume is a side effect of this medication. A couple of months ago, I saw my physician and he increased my dosage to 100 mg. My acne subsided substantially, but the side effect of needing to urinate frequently continued. Being a student, this was affecting my ability to sit through a 50-minute class. I stopped drinking fluids before class and would go prior to class but still had to get up in the middle of class to use the bathroom. This has become an embarrassing situation and it is preventing me from doing things, such as going on a long care ride or going somewhere there isn’t a bathroom, because of my fear of needing to be close to a restroom. Everyone’s experience is different, so I do not want to recommend or not recommend this product. However, my experience with Spironolactone has not been positive. I am in the process of seeing my dermatologist to change my prescription.

1 comment | Reply

SPIRONOLACTONE (Oral) (Tablet)
2.5

Effectiveness: *

Ease of Use: *****

Overall Satisfaction: *

Avatar_thumbnail

Rosa, london, uk - 12/12/2008

I’m a 42 year old female who has experienced both hair loss and cystic pimples as a side effect to medication I had been taking for post concussion syndrome. When I consulted a Dermatologist I was prescribed 50 then 100 mg of Spiro as I was discontinuing the prior medication which had caused the fore mentioned side effects. I couldn't take the 100 mg dose at all. At 50 mg I am experiencing troubling side effects. I am finding it difficult to sleep as I constantly have to urinate throughout the night. I also have significant pain in my arms, as well as an increase in headaches, the headaches being a result of post concussion syndrome. I’m also experiencing significant breast pain and seeming breast enlargement, as well as an unexplained chest pain. I have also experienced unexplained weight gains. I have gained 9 pounds in 1 month which is confusing as I have always maintained a vigorous exercise regime and have never experienced such a quick weight gain before. I have to believe without a doubt that the unexplained weight gain is a direct result of Spiro. I'm shocked at my seemingly "opposite" reaction to others who have used Spiro. I have not been taking Spiro long enough to know if it has had any effect on the cystic pimples or hair loss but I am not willing to continue experiencing it’s side effects to find whether or not it will be effective. I am discontinuing my use of Spiro.

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