Aldactone

Aldactone General Information

Generic Name: spiranolactone

Brand Name: Aldactone

Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that prevents the body absorbing too much of salt and keeps potassium level from getting too low. Aldactone is used to diagnose and /or treat the body if it contains too much of Aldosterone hormone. The Aldosterone hormone produced by adrenal glands of the body, help keep water balance in the body. Aldactone also treats retention of fluid in people suffering from liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, kidney disorder. Aldactone is also treats hypokalemia (low potassium level in the blood)

Aldactone Uses

Aldactone should never be used-

• if the person is having kidney disease and unable to urinate.
• If the person is having high potassium levels (hyperkalemia)
• If the person is taking potassium supplements or other potassium - sparing diuretics

Further, before taking Aldactone, the Doctor must be told that the patient is suffering from any of the following ailments like heart disease, liver disease, or using any steroids or diuretic. Since any of these conditions may necessitate some adjustment of dose or any special test to facilitate safe use of Aldactone.

Any women who is pregnant or have plan to become pregnant, must inform the Doctor before using Aldactone. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Further, Aldactone passes into breast milk and could cause harm to a nursing baby. So, this medication should not be used without telling the Doctor that the patient is a nursing mother.

How Take Aldactone

Aldactone should be used in the same manner as prescribed. It should never be taken in overdose and used for longer period.Plenty of water must be taken while taking Aldactone. To ensure that Aldactone medication is not causing harmful effects, blood need to be tested during treatment period on a regular basis. It is also important to visit Doctor regularly as scheduled without fail. This medication can cause unusual results with certain medical tests. So, any Doctor who may be doing such tests must be told that the concerned patient is taking Aldactone, to avoid confusion. Similarly, before any surgery performed on such patients, the Doctor must be informed that the patient is taking or have taken Aldactone. He may stop the use of Aldactone for performingthe surgery, if so required.

Aldactone Warnings

Avoid alcohol intake totally. Doctor should be told if any other medicines are used by the patients which make him light headed like cold or allergy medicine, sleeping pills, medicines for seizures, depression or anxiety etc. Salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium to be avoided. Avoid salt. Aldactone may impair thinking or first reactions of an individual, so it is advisable to avoid driving car while on this medication. Doctor's advice should be taken about the type and amount of liquid that the patient should take.

Aldactone Missed Dose

If an Aldactone dose is missed, it should be taken without further delay unless the next dose timing has already arrived. In such case, the scheduled dose should be taken and the missed dose should be skipped. No extra medicine to be taken as compensation to the missed dose.

Aldactone Side Effects

Use of Aldactone may cause side effects of allergic reactions like hives, breathing difficulties, swelling of lips, face, tongue, mouth or throat, skin rash. Emergency help should be sought in case any of these reactions are visible or felt. However, in case of the following side effects, the medication should be stopped and the Doctor to be called at once:

• Slow, fast or uneven heartbeats
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Numbness or tingly feeling
• Drowsiness, restlessness
• Less or no urination
• Shallow breathing
• Tremors, confusion
• Nausea, Stomach pain, low fever, dark urin, clay colored stools
• Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)

Aldactone Storage Advice

Aldoctone should be stored generally at room temperature below 77 0F Fand away from light and moisture. It should not be stored in bathroom or kitchen. And, above all, it should be away from the reach of children and pets if any. Aldactone should never be flushed down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Discard product which has expired date. Consult pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to dispose the medicine safely.

Aldactone Overdose

In case any person has taken too much of Aldactone, emergency medical attention must be sought for the person. Symptoms of Aldactone overdose are: drowsiness, red skin rash, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and persistent confusion.

Aldactone More Information

More information about Aldactone will be available fromany pharmacist of some standing. The Doctor must be told about all the prescriptions and over-the-counter medication that the patient is using including vitamin, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other Doctors. Even before starting Aldactone medication, the Doctor must be told if any of the following drugs are being used by the patient: Lithium, Digoxin, Steroids, ACE inhibitor or any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Various tests as suggested by the Doctor should be performed periodically. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, yoga, exercise, dietary changes, may work wonders. But, all these after taking Doctor's consent. Blood pressure to be checked while taking the medication. One should learn how to monitor his own blood pressure and inform the results regularly to the Doctor.