Aldactone (spironolactone) is a diuretic (water pill) prescribed to treat edema caused by heart, liver or kidney problems, as well as high blood pressure (hypertension) and hyperaldosteronism. Edema can develop as a result of congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver or fluid collecting in spaces within the abdomen (ascites). Spironolactone is primarily used to treat the build-up of fluids due to heart failure, liver scarring, or kidney disease (nephrotic syndrome). It is also prescribed to treat high blood pressure and low blood potassium levels that do not improve with supplementation.
Aldosterone is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in the body. Hyperaldosteronism (excess aldosterone) causes the body to retain both salt and water, and the resulting edema causes an increase in blood pressure.
Diuretics like Aldactone are designed to reduce the volume of liquid in the blood, thereby easing any strain on the heart. This can reduce high blood pressure and other kidney-related issues.  Aldactone can also be prescribed off-label to treat acne.
This text is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist before using any medication.
Common side effects of Aldactone include:
- skin rash
- headache
- dizziness
- nausea
- vomiting
- gas
- stomach pain.
If these persist or worsen, consult with a doctor or pharmacist.
There are rare but potentially serious side effects of Aldactone, including irregular heart rate, muscle pain or weakness, urinating less than usual, shallow breathing, tremors, confusion, or a severe skin reaction, hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood), and numbness. Consult with a doctor as soon as possible or go directly to an emergency room.
Aldactone can be used in combination with other medicines to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and congestive heart failure. It can also reduce the edema (swelling) that comes with heart failure and kidney or liver disease. It helps the kidneys remove more fluid and salt from the blood without extracting too much potassium.
