Aldactone 100mg

Aldactone 100mg

Aldactone 100mg contains the active substance Spironolactone. This is a synthetic corticosteroid with potassium-sparing diuretic, antiandrogen, and antihypertensive activities. Aldactone helps bring potassium levels in the blood back to normal when the levels become too low. It completely inhibits the adrenocortical hormone aldosterone activity in the distal renal tubes, vasculature and myocardium. Aldactone may inhibit the pathophysiological effects of aldosterone produced in excess by various types of benign and malignant tumors. It may be used alone or along with other diuretic drugs, which act more proximally in the renal tubule.

What is Aldactone used for?

Aldactone 100 mg tablets are used to lower high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It treats fluid build up in the body that can occur in some heart, kidney, or liver conditions. Aldactone brings back the potassium levels to normal when the levels become too low in the blood. It also treats a disorder known as hyperaldosteronism and excess facial or body hair in women. Hyperaldosteronism is a medical condition in which the adrenal gland releases too much of aldosterone hormone into the blood.  Your doctor may, however, prescribe Aldactone for another reason. Ask your doctor if you have any question why Aldactone has been prescribed to you.

How does Aldactone work?

The main active contained in the Aldactone 100 mg tablet is Spironolactone, which is a specific antagonist of aldosterone, acting primarily through competitive adhering of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent sodium-potassium exchange site in the distal convoluted renal tubule. Spironolactone causes increased amounts of water and sodium to be excreted, while potassium is retained. The drug acts both as an antihypertensive and diuretic drug by this mechanism.

What does Aldactone contain?

Your Aldactone tablets contain the active ingredient Spironolactone. It belongs to a group of drugs known as diuretics.

What are the side effects of Aldactone?

Tell your doctor as soon as possible; if you do not feel well while consuming Aldactone tablets.

All drugs can have undesired side effects. Sometimes they are severe, most of the time they are not. You may require medical help, if you get some of the adverse reactions. Inform your doctor, if you observe any of the following and they worry you.

• Vomiting
• Feeling sick
• Stomach pain
• Lack of energy
• Headache
• Excessive hair growth
• Menstrual period changes in women
• Unusual hair loss
• Post-menstrual bleeding

These are the most common side effects of Aldactone.

Tell your doctor immediately, if you experience:

• Breast pain
• Lumps in the breast
• Breast enlargement in men
• Skin rashes
• Dizziness
• Change in sex drive
• Leg cramps
• Impotence
• Fever, chills, or mouth ulcers, etc.

The list of the adverse effects listed above is not complete. If you suffer from any of these or any other unwanted effects, please inform your doctor.

What medications interact with Aldactone?

Please tell your doctor, if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines obtained without prescription. Your doctor or pharmacist may wish to alter your dose, if you are consuming any of the following.

• Mitotane
• Contraceptive medicines
• NSAIDS or Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines
• Antibiotics
• Aspirin
• Corticosteroids to treat Addison’s syndrome
• Anti-diabetics
• Colestyramine
• Anti-coagulants
• Cardiac glycosides used to treat heart conditions
• Carbenoxolone
• Lithium
• High blood pressure medicines
• Ciclosporin
• Drugs containing potassium
• Tacrolimus
• Other diuretic drugs

These drugs may be affected by Aldactone or may affect how well Aldactone works. You may need a different amount of medicines, or you may need to consume different medicines. You doctor has more information on drugs to be careful with or avoid while consuming Aldactone.

When should Aldactone not be used?

Do not take Aldactone 100 mg:

• If you are allergic to the drug or its components
• If you have kidney disorders
• If you are not passing urine
• If you have high potassium levels in your blood

How should Aldactone be taken?

You doctor will tell you how much Aldactone tablets you need to take. It is important that you consume the medicine as directed by your doctor. Do not consume more than the recommended dose.

The usual dose for adults with hypertension is 50 mg to 100 mg daily, which may be slowly raised at two weekly intervals up to 200 mg daily. The daily dose of the drug may be administered either as a single daily dose or in divided doses. The treatment should be continued for at least 21 days since a satisfactory response may not occur before this time.

For other health problems, your doctor will tell you how many tablets you need to consume daily and when to consume them. This depends on your health condition and whether you are consuming other medicines or not.

How long should you take Aldactone?

Continue taking it for as long as your doctor recommends. Take your medicine at the same time each day as this will help you to remember to take it regularly. If you have trouble remembering your doses, ask your doctor for some tips.

Missed dose of Aldactone

If you miss the dose take it as soon as you remember, but if it is too late, then skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the correct scheduled time. Do not take two doses at the same time.

How should Aldactone be stored?

• Keep it out of the reach of children. Avoid exposure to light, moisture, and heat.
• Do not place these tablets in the bathroom or near a sink.