Brand Name

Aldactone {Pfizer}

Generic Name

spironolactone, pronounced spir ON oh LAK tone

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Aldactone?

Aldactone is a medication to treat fluid retention or to treat acondition which causes you to have too much aldosterone in your body. As a hormone produced byyour adrenal glands aldosterone helps to regulate the salt and water balance in your body.Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, or water pill, which helps your body from absorbingtoo much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. If you have fluid retention,or edema, and congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, hypokalemia (low potassium levelsin your blood) or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome you may be prescribedAldactone.

Aldactone may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Aldactone

Aldactone is in FDA pregnancy category C. You should not use Aldactone if you are pregnant, aswe do not yet know if this medication can affect an unborn baby. You should not breast-feed whiletaking Aldactone, as this medication can pass into breast milk.

While you are taking Aldactone you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol canfurther lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects ofAldactone if you drink while taking this medication.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements, saltsubstitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium while you are takingAldactone.

Until you know how you will react to Aldactone you should avoid getting up too fast from alying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steadyyourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Aldactone.

If you suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating you can easily become dehydratedwhile taking Aldactone. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, orkidney failure. You should tell your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms while takingAldactone, and be certain to drink plenty of water each day while you are taking thismedication.

Before You Take Aldactone

If you are allergic to spironolactone you should not take Aldactone.

If you cannot urinate, or if you have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia) orare taking potassium supplements or other potassium-sparing diuretics like Aldactazide, amiloride(Midamor, Moduretic), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide) you should not takeAldactone.

You should inform your doctor if you have kidney disease, heart disease, liver disease or aretaking steroids or diuretics before taking Aldactone.

You should avoid a diet that is high in salt, as it may make your treatment with thismedication less effective.

Aldactone Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• ACE inhibitors like benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril),enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon),quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace) and trandolapril (Mavik)
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin)
• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin),naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec,Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin) andmeloxicam (Mobic)
• steroids, like prednisone

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Aldactone. You should tell yourdoctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins,supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking anew medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Aldactone

You should take Aldactone exactly as directed by your doctor. It is important that you donot take Aldactone in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended.Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if yourdoctor instructs you to change your dose.

Aldactone should be taken with a full glass of water

You may take Aldactone with or without food.

You may need to take Aldactone on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure.It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Aldactoneis helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Aldactone should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat. Keep thebottle tightly closed.

If you miss a dose of Aldactone you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as youremember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose isless than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Aldactone Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Aldactone and
immediately seek emergency medical help .

• allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips,throat or tongue
• clay colored stools
• dark urine
• faint feeling, lightheadedness and drowsiness
• high potassium signs, with symptoms like a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or atingly feeling
• jaundice
• low potassium signs, with symptoms like confusion, an uneven heart rate, extreme thirst,increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or a limp feeling
• nausea and vomiting
• shallow breathing
• skin rash that is severe and blistering with a fever, sore throat, swelling in your face ortongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a purple or red skin rash that spreads(especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling
• stomach pain (especially upper stomach) with loss of appetite
• weakness
• urinating less often or not at all

Less serious side effects of Aldactone may include:

• dizziness
• gas
• headache
• nausea
• skin rash (mild)
• stomach pain
• vomiting

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Aldactone. Youshould contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Aldactone Description and Dosing

Aldactone is available in tablets of 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg strengths. Aldactone 25 mg tabletsare round, light yellow, film-coated, with SEARLE and 1001 debossed on one side and Aldactone and25 on the other side. Aldactone 50 mg tablets are oval, light orange, scored, film-coated, withSEARLE and 1041 debossed on the scored side and Aldactone and 50 on the other side. Aldactone100 mg tablets are round, peach-colored, scored, film-coated, with SEARLE and 1031 debossed onthe scored side and Aldactone and 100 on the other side.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Aldactone you should seek emergency helpimmediately.

Ingredients in Aldactone

Aldactone contains the active ingredient aldosterone antagonist spironolactone. Inactiveingredients include calcium sulfate, corn starch, flavor, hypromellose, iron oxide, magnesiumstearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, and titanium dioxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.