Aldactone and/or Equivalents

Aldactone

Aldactone Drug Description

Aldactone belongs to a group of medicines commonly known as diuretics or water pills. Diuretics are prescribed to increase the excretion of water and salts from the body through urine. Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that prevents the loss of too much potassium from your body through urine. Aldactone is prescribed by physicians to treat different conditions in patients, including hyperaldosteronism i.e excessive secretion of the hormone aldesterone. Aldesterone is produced by the adrenal glands and controls the water and salt balance in the body. The prime ingredient in Aldactone oral tablets is spironolactone which is an aldosterone antagonist agent. It is available in three strengths of 25mg, 50mg, and 100mg. The tablets also contain corn starch, calcium sulfate, iron oxide, polyethylene glycol, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, povidone, hypromellose and flavours as inactive ingredients. Aldactone 25mg is a round, film-coated light yellow coloured tablet with SEARLE 1001 embossed on one side and ALDACTONE 25 embossed on the other side. Aldactone 50mg is an oval, film-coated, scored, light orange coloured tablet with SEARLE 1041 embossed on one side and ALDACTONE 50 embossed on the other side. Aldactone 100mg is a round, film-coated, scored, peach coloured tablet with SEARLE 1031 embossed on one side and ALDACTONE 100 embossed on the other side. All the tablets are available in bottles of hundred tablets each. Aldactone is approved by the FDA and is available only on prescription. It is presented by G. D. Searle, a division of Pfizer Inc.

Conditions Treated by Aldactone

Aldactone is recommended for the management of aldesterone in order to maintain an optimum salt-water balance in the body. As a diuretic, it is prescribed for treating several conditions. In patients about to undergo surgery, Aldactone is indicated for preoperative short-term treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism. In patients with adrenal adenomas (tumour) where surgery is not feasible, and in patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism, Aldactone is prescribed for long-term maintenance therapy. In patients with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of liver, nephritic syndrome and essential hypertension, Aldactone is concomitantly prescribed to check the levels sodium retention and oedema (abnormal fluid retention). Aldactone is also prescribed in the treatment of hypokalemia (abnormally low levels of potassium in the body).

Aldactone Dosage Information

a.) Typical dosage recommendations

In case of adults, the recommended daily dose of Aldactone is between 25mg and 400mg depending on the condition being treated. In case of children, the daily dose is determined by the body weight. In both cases, the doses are administered either as a single dose or in divided doses. Moreover, dosage is adjusted by physicians depending on individual requirement, response, tolerance level and improvement. For treatment of primary hyperaldosteronism, the typical daily dosage is 400mg to be continued for about a month (long-term therapy) or 400mg daily for four days. In patients showing signs of oedema due to various medical conditions, 100mg of Aldactone is administered daily and in essential hypertension, the daily adult dose is between 50mg and 100mg. For the treatment of hypokalemia, daily recommended dosage of Aldactone is between 25mg and 100mg whereas patients suffering from severe heart failure, 25mg of Aldactone should be administered daily. In case such patients cannot tolerate the typical dosage, it can be reduced to 25mg of Aldactone every alternate day.

b.) Missing a dose

In case you have forgotten to take a particular dose of Aldactone, take it as soon as you remember. However, leave the missed dose in case you are about to take your next normal dose. Never take more tablets of Aldactone in order to make up for a missed dose.

c.) Overdosing

In case you have taken too much of Aldactone accidentally, contact your physician or local poison control centre for supportive treatment of the symptoms. Typical overdose symptoms of Aldactone include confusion, drowsiness, erythematous or maculopapular rash, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea or vomiting. Hyperkalemia is also possible if you are suffering from renal impairment.

Aldactone Warnings

Aldactone is indicated in the treatment of several life-threatening conditions. It is therefore imperative for your physician to know everything about your present and past medical history, other medications you are taking presently or if you are allergic to any particular formulation. On your part, you must be clear about the correct dosage, precautions to be followed, expected adverse reactions, pros and cons of the medication and any other point relevant to your condition. Contact your physician immediately on facing any uneasiness after taking the medicine but do not stop treatment on your own. Take Aldactone exactly as advised by your physician and do not alter doses with his/her advice. While undergoing treatment with Aldactone you should undergo regular observation for electrolyte or fluid imbalance in your body, like hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypochloremic alkalosis or hyponatremia. You must intimate your physician immediately on experiencing symptoms of imbalance like excessive thirst, weakness, dryness in the mouth, restlessness, muscular cramps, fatigue, nausea etc. Patients suffering from renal impairment are at a risk of developing hyperkalemia after being treated with Aldactone. You should therefore avoid potassium supplements, other potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors or NSAIDs. Treatment with Aldactone may also cause moderate acidosis or gynaecomastia (enlargement of breast in men). You must inform your physician if you are suffering from any hepatic impairment as in such condition, even a minor change in the fluid or salt balance can lead to hepatic coma. Your physician will then prescribe Aldactone only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Before commencing treatment, inform you physician if you are pregnant, plan to conceive or are breastfeeding. S/he may then prescribe Aldactone only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Aldactone can make you feel dizzy. Do not drive, consume alcohol or do any work that requires mental alacrity immediately after taking this medicine. Aldactone must be stored below 250C and away from the reach of children and pets. Do not share the medicine with another person without physician’s advice.

Aldactone Side Effects

Side effects of any medicine can vary from patient to patient and depends on several factors. In general, contact your physician in case you experience adverse effects such as:

• Abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Thirst
• Frequent urination
• Dry mouth
• Fever
• Mental confusion
• Irregular heartbeat
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Rapid weight loss
• Signs of allergic reaction

Aldactone Drug Interactions

The active and inactive ingredients in Aldactone can interact with other medications or formulations. Your physician must therefore know everything about all prescription and non-prescription drugs you are taking including herbal preparations, vitamin supplements, dietary supplements etc. You must also tell him/her about your addictions, if any, towards alcohol, nicotine, caffeine or street drugs.

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Notice: The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Aldactone and/or Equivalents warnings, side-effects and general information