Aldactone

What is Aldactone used for?

• Aldactone is used to get rid of extra fluid.
• It is used to raise potassium in the body.
• Aldactone is also used to treat heart failure (weak heart).
• It is used to treat high blood pressure.
• It is used to treat some people with high aldosterone levels.
• It is used to treat some kidney problems.
• Aldactone may be given to you for other reasons. Talk to your doctor.

Before taking Aldactone, tell your doctor:

• If you are allergic to Aldactone; any part of this medicine; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Addison's disease or high potassium levels.
• If you are taking any of these drugs: Amiloride, eplerenone, or triamterene.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with this medicine.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take Aldactone with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Aldactone?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take Aldactone. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how Aldactone affects you.
• Check your blood pressure as you have been told.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take Aldactone.
• If you are on a low-salt or salt-free diet, talk with your doctor.
• Sometimes, Aldactone may raise potassium levels in the blood. This can be deadly if it is not treated. The risk is highest in people with diabetes, kidney disease, severe illness, and in older adults. Your doctor will follow you closely to change the dose if needed.
• If you are taking a salt substitute that has potassium in it, a potassium-sparing diuretic, or a potassium product, talk with your doctor.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using Aldactone while you are pregnant.
• Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about any risks to your baby.

How is Aldactone best taken?

Use Aldactone as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Take with or without food but take the same way each time. Always take with food or always take on an empty stomach.
• Keep taking Aldactone as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• This medicine may cause you to pass urine more often. To keep from having sleep problems, try to take before 6 pm.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are the side effects of Aldactone that I need to call my doctor about immediately?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad dizziness or passing out, fast heartbeat, more thirst, seizures, feeling very tired or weak, not hungry, unable to pass urine or change in the amount of urine produced, dry mouth, dry eyes, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of kidney problems like unable to pass urine, change in how much urine is passed, blood in the urine, or a big weight gain.
• Signs of a very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in the mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Feeling confused.
• Change in balance.
• Lowered interest in sex.
• Not able to get or keep an erection.
• Fever or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Black, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Throwing up blood or throw up that looks like coffee grounds.
• Period (menstrual) changes.
• Breast pain.
• For males, enlarged breasts.
• Liver problems have rarely happened with Aldactone. Sometimes, this has been deadly. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of liver problems like dark urine, feeling tired, not hungry, upset stomach or stomach pain, light-colored stools, throwing up, or yellow skin or eyes.

What are some other side effects of Aldactone?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Diarrhea.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Dizziness.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach cramps.
• Hair loss.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If overdose is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Aldactone?

• Store at room temperature.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer information use and disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about Aldactone, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take Aldactone or any other medicine. Only the healthcare provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for a specific patient. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Aldactone. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from the healthcare provider. You must talk with the healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.