Aldactone (Spironolactone)

Common Use

Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and an aldosterone antagonist—in plain language, it’s a type of water pill that helps the body get rid of excess fluid without losing too much potassium. It works by blocking the action of aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that normally tells the kidneys to retain salt and water. By blocking this hormone, Aldactone encourages the kidneys to excrete more sodium (salt) and water while holding on to potassium and magnesium, which are important minerals for heart and muscle function.

This medication has a moderate diuretic effect, meaning it gently increases urine output. This effect usually becomes noticeable after 2 to 5 days of treatment and can continue for 2 to 3 days after you stop taking it. A mild hypotensive (blood-pressure-lowering) effect typically appears after 2 to 3 weeks of regular use.

Aldactone is used to treat several conditions:

Hypertension (high blood pressure) – usually in combination with other blood pressure medications

Congestive heart failure – to help remove excess fluid that can build up in the lungs and body, reducing swelling and easing the workload on the heart

Cirrhosis of the liver – to manage fluid retention (ascites) that often occurs when the liver is damaged

Kidney disease – specifically conditions like nephrotic syndrome, where the kidneys leak protein and fluid builds up in the body

Dosage and Direction

For adults with high blood pressure or edema (fluid retention), the usual daily dose is 50 to 100 mg, taken in 1 or 2 doses per day. If needed, your doctor may gradually increase the dose up to 200 mg per day. Treatment typically lasts for at least two weeks to see the full effect.

For other conditions such as chronic congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or nephrotic syndrome, your doctor may recommend a different dosage. Always consult your doctor before starting or changing your dose. Aldactone should be taken after a meal, and it’s often recommended to take the full dose once daily before bedtime to reduce the need to urinate during the day.

Precautions

While taking Aldactone, keep these points in mind:

Avoid alcohol – it can increase some of the side effects of the medication

Watch your salt intake – eating too much salt can cause your body to retain water and make Aldactone less effective

Be careful with potassium – avoid using salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium, as this can cause dangerously high potassium levels

Stay hydrated but not overheated – avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, and talk to your doctor about how much fluid you should be drinking

Don’t stop suddenly – if you are being treated for high blood pressure, do not stop taking this medicine even if you feel better, as blood pressure can rise again without you noticing

Contraindications

Aldactone should not be taken in the following situations:

Hypersensitivity (allergy) to any of its ingredients

Addison’s disease (a condition where the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones)

Hyperkalemia or hyperpotassemia (high potassium levels in the blood)

Concurrent use with potassium supplements or other potassium-sparing diuretics such as amiloride or triamterene

Hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood)

Chronic kidney failure or anuria (inability to produce urine)

Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by diabetes)

Liver failure

Pregnancy – unless your doctor specifically advises it

Always take this medicine only if it has been prescribed for you by a doctor.

Possible Side Effects

Common side effects may include:

Headache

Diarrhoea

Muscle cramps

Drowsiness

Rash

Nausea or vomiting

Impotence (in men)

Irregular menstrual periods or irregular hair growth (in women)

Fluid and electrolyte imbalances can occur, so patients need to be monitored regularly during treatment. Breast enlargement (gynecomastia) may also occur, depending on the dose and how long you take the medication. This is usually reversible once you stop taking Aldactone.

Drug Interactions

Aldactone can lower blood sodium levels while raising blood potassium levels. Excessively high potassium levels can sometimes cause potentially life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities, so Aldactone is usually not taken with other medications that can raise potassium levels. It can also increase blood levels of digoxin (Lanoxin), a heart medication, to potentially toxic levels. Always inform your doctor about all other medications you are taking.

Missed Dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If you miss a dose and it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule.

Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, seek immediate medical attention. Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, red skin rash, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea.

Storage

Store Aldactone at room temperature, below 25°C (77°F). Keep it in a tightly closed container, away from moisture, heat, and out of reach of children.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications, which does not cover all directions, possible drug interactions, or precautions. Information on this site cannot be used for self-treatment or self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed upon with your healthcare adviser or the doctor in charge of your case. We disclaim reliability of this information and any mistakes it may contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special, or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site, nor for the consequences of self-treatment.

About Our Service Cydoctors.com is an online pharmacy based right here in Cyprus. We understand that managing conditions like high blood pressure, heart failure, or fluid retention requires reliable access to your medication—so we’ve made our service straightforward, dependable, and built with your convenience in mind. Because we’re local to the island, we can arrange delivery in the shortest possible time. For our customers in Nicosia, Limassol, and Paphos, we’re pleased to offer overnight delivery, so your Aldactone can be with you by the next day, helping you stay on track with your treatment.