DrugLib.com — Drug Information Portal

Rx drug information, pharmaceutical research, clinical trials, news, and more

Spironolactone (Spironolactone) - Summary

 


Nutrilib.com
A comprihensive source of nutritional information

WARNING

Spironolactone has been shown to be a tumorigen in chronic toxicity studies in rats (see Precautions ). Spironolactone tablets should be used only in those conditions described under Indications and Usage . Unnecessary use of this drug should be avoided.

 

SPIRONOLACTONE SUMMARY

Spironolactone Tablets, USP

Spironolactone oral tablets contain 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg of the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone, 17-hydroxy-7α-mercapto-3-oxo-17α-pregn-4-ene-21-carboxylic acid γ-lactone acetate.

Spironolactone tablets are indicated in the management of:

Primary hyperaldosteronism for:

Establishing the diagnosis of primary hyperaldosteronism by therapeutic trial.

Short-term preoperative treatment of patients with primary hyperaldosteronism.

Long-term maintenance therapy for patients with discrete aldosterone-producing adrenal adenomas who are judged to be poor operative risks or who decline surgery.

Long-term maintenance therapy for patients with bilateral micro- or macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (idiopathic hyperaldosteronism).

Edematous conditions for patients with:

Congestive heart failure

For the management of edema and sodium retention when the patient is only partially responsive to, or is intolerant of, other therapeutic measures. Spironolactone tablets are also indicated for patients with congestive heart failure taking digitalis when other therapies are considered inappropriate.

Cirrhosis of the liver accompanied by edema and/or ascites

Aldosterone levels may be exceptionally high in this condition. Spironolactone tablets are indicated for maintenance therapy together with bed rest and the restriction of fluid and sodium.

The nephrotic syndrome

For nephrotic patients when treatment of the underlying disease, restriction of fluid and sodium intake, and the use of other diuretics do not provide an adequate response.

Essential hypertension

Usually in combination with other drugs, Aldactone is indicated for patients who cannot be treated adequately with other agents or for whom other agents are considered inappropriate.

Hypokalemia

For the treatment of patients with hypokalemia when other measures are considered inappropriate or inadequate. Aldactone is also indicated for the prophylaxis of hypokalemia in patients taking digitalis when other measures are considered inadequate or inappropriate.

Usage in Pregnancy

The routine use of diuretics in an otherwise healthy woman is inappropriate and exposes mother and fetus to unnecessary hazard. Diuretics do not prevent development of toxemia of pregnancy, and there is no satisfactory evidence that they are useful in the treatment of developing toxemia.

Edema during pregnancy may arise from pathologic causes or from the physiologic and mechanical consequences of pregnancy.

Spironolactone tablets are indicated in pregnancy when edema is due to pathologic causes just as it is in the absence of pregnancy (however, see Precautions: Pregnancy ). Dependent edema in pregnancy, resulting from restriction of venous return by the expanded uterus, is properly treated through elevation of the lower extremities and use of support hose; use of diuretics to lower intravascular volume in this case is unsupported and unnecessary. There is hypervolemia during normal pregnancy which is not harmful to either the fetus or the mother (in the absence of cardiovascular disease), but which is associated with edema, including generalized edema, in the majority of pregnant women. If this edema produces discomfort, increased recumbency will often provide relief. In rare instances, this edema may cause extreme discomfort which is not relieved by rest. In these cases, a short course of diuretics may provide relief and may be appropriate.


See all Spironolactone indications & dosage >>

SPIRONOLACTONE NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Spironolactone

Effects of additive therapy with spironolactone on proteinuria in diabetic patients already on ACE inhibitor or ARB therapy: results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. [2008.04]

Hemodynamic effects of propranolol with spironolactone in patients with variceal bleeds: A randomized controlled trial. [2008.03.28]

Spironolactone versus eplerenone for the treatment of idiopathic hyperaldosteronism. [2008.03]

The Spironolactone, Amiloride, Losartan, and Thiazide (SALT) double-blind crossover trial in patients with low-renin hypertension and elevated aldosterone-renin ratio. [2007.07.17]

Does the aldosterone: renin ratio predict the efficacy of spironolactone over bendroflumethiazide in hypertension? A clinical trial protocol for RENALDO (RENin-ALDOsterone) study. [2007.05.09]

more >>

Clinical Trials Related to Spironolactone

Hemodynamic Effects of Chronic Administration of Spironolactone and/or Propranolol in Alcoholic Cirrhotic Patients [Terminated]

Spironolactone in Patients With Single Ventricle Heart [Active, not recruiting]

Is Spironolactone Safe and Effective in the Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease in Mild Chronic Renal Failure? [Completed]

Spironolactone for Reducing Proteinuria in Diabetic Nephropathy [Completed]

Spironolactone and Insulin Resistance in Chronic Heart Failure (CHF) [Completed]

more >>

SPIRONOLACTONE PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Based on a total of 6 ratings/reviews, Spironolactone has an overall score of 7.33. The effectiveness score is 7 and the side effect score is 8.67. The scores are on ten point scale: 10 - best, 1 - worst. Below are selected reviews: the highest, the median and the lowest rated.
 

Spironolactone review by medical professional caring for 65 year old male patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Moderately Effective
Side effects:   Moderate Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   hypertension
Dosage & duration:   50 mg taken po for the period of 2 weeks
Other conditions:   hyperlipidemia
Other drugs taken:   lipitor
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   lower blood pressure and preventing hypokalemia
Side effects:   breast tenderness
Comments:   spironolactone 50 mg PO QD

 

Spironolactone review by 33 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   acne
Dosage & duration:   100mg taken once a day for the period of 1 yr and continuing
Other conditions:   small acne also
Other drugs taken:   retinol A
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   the spironolactone has prevented the large cycst types of acne from forming. My skin looks a lot smoother.
Side effects:   if not taken daily it will not work. you can not miss a day or there will be some cycsts that will form.
Comments:   spironolactone is a water pill that has the side effect of clearer skin. the spironolactone only is effective on the large cycst types of acne. If not taken daily there will be some cycsts that will form the week before you cycle. The small acne is taken care of with a retinol A cream.

 

Spironolactone review by 45 year old female patient

  Rating
Overall rating:  
Effectiveness:   Considerably Effective
Side effects:   No Side Effects
  
Treatment Info
Condition / reason:   Acne
Dosage & duration:   50mg taken 1 daily for the period of 6 years
Other conditions:   night sweats, hot flashes
Other drugs taken:   climara .01mg
  
Reported Results
Benefits:   The once daily treatment was effective in keeping me from having moderate acne breakouts while I was taking hormone replacement therapy. I also used testosterone cream (compounded) and my doctor felt that this was the source of the acne and also some water retention.
Side effects:   I don't believe I experienced any side effects at all and have always been very satisfied with the the medication. I have only recently begun to look at other kinds of hormone replacement therapy that is all compounded and natural based.
Comments:   I have taken 1 50mg tablet daily for over 6 years for treatment of acne...caused by hormone replacement medications including testosterone cream. The medication worked very well for me for as long as I was taking it.

See all Spironolactone reviews / ratings >>

Page last updated: 2008-06-22

-- advertisement -- The American Red Cross

We comply with
HONcode standard.
Verify here.
Home | About Us | Contact Us | Site usage policy | Privacy policy

All Rights reserved - Copyright DrugLib.com, 2006-2008