Aldactone (Spironolactone 50mg) Tablets

Aldactone general information

What is Aldactone used for?

Aldactone tablets 50mg are used to reduce fluid retention and swelling (oedema) which is caused by several conditions, including congestive heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), liver cirrhosis and kidney disease.  Aldactone 50 can be used alone to treat hypertension or in combination with other antihypertensive medications like beta blockers, to enhance their activity.  Aldactone tablets 50mg are also used to increase blood potassium levels, which occurs in a condition called hypokalaemia (low blood potassium) in patients taking digitalis who have not responded adequately to other treatments or if other treatments are considered inappropriate; also to treat hyperaldosteronism, which is caused by excess secretion by the adrenal gland of the hormone aldosterone (involved in regulating sodium and potassium levels), both of which can cause fluid retention.  Aldactone 50 has anti-androgen activity which is used in the treatment of female hirsutism (androgen-related increase in facial and body hair) and can be used as an anti-androgen component of transgender hormone therapy, to help stimulate the development of female sexual characteristics for male to female transsexuals.   

How does Aldactone work?

Aldactone tablets 50mg contain spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that is used to treat various conditions to reduce oedema; also conditions where there is a hormonal imbalance of aldosterone.  Spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg is a competitive antagonist of the hormone aldosterone and works by binding to the aldosterone receptor blocking its action.  This action of spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg increases sodium excretion and reduces potassium loss at the distal renal tubule of the kidney.  The overall effect of this action is to increase water excretion in the urine which reduces fluid build-up in the tissues, increases blood potassium levels and lowers blood pressure.  Spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg also has moderate anti-androgenic activity as it binds to the androgen receptor competing with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) an active metabolite of testosterone.  Binding of DHT to the androgen receptor promotes male characteristics, therefore, blocking the action of DHT helps reduce male characteristics.  Another anti-androgenic action of Aldactone 50 is that it blocks the synthesis of a testosterone by the ovaries. 

What does Aldactone contain?

Aldactone tablets 50mg contain the active ingredient spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic used to reduce oedema and treat hormonal imbalance of aldosterone.  They also contain calcium sulfate dihydrate, peppermint 961149/701213, Hypromellose, macrogol 400, magnesium stearate, maize starch, Opaspray yellow M-1-6032B, Povidone.

Treating oedema with Aldactone

Aldactone tablets 50mg contain spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that is used to treat fluid retention (oedema) caused by several conditions, including congestive heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), liver cirrhosis and kidney disease.  Spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg works by blocking the action of the hormone aldosterone on the kidneys, which increases excretion of excess water and sodium from the body while at the same time maintaining blood potassium levels. 

Aldactone for hypertension

Aldactone tablets 50mg contain spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic that is used to treat hypertension or high blood pressure, which increases risk of cardiovascular disease and if uncontrolled can cause kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and heart failure.  Spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg binds to the receptor for the hormone aldosterone on the kidneys, blocking the action of aldosterone, which increases sodium excretion and reduces potassium loss at the distal renal tubule of the kidney.  This action of spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg increases water excretion in the urine which reduces fluid build-up in the tissues, increases blood potassium levels and lowers blood pressure. 

Aldactone for transgender treatment

Aldactone tablets 50mg contain spironolactone, which is primarily used as a diuretic, to reduce fluid retention in conditions such as congestive heart failure, hypertension (high blood pressure), liver cirrhosis and kidney disease.  Spironolactone in Aldactone tablets 50mg also acts as an anti-androgen by binding to the androgen receptor and competing with dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the active metabolite of testosterone, which promotes male characteristics, thereby blocking the action of DHT.  Using an anti-androgen like spironolactone (usually in high doses of 200–400 mg per day) allows the amount of oestrogen administered for feminising hormone therapy to be reduced while optimising the hormone regime needed to stimulate breast development, feminisation of skin, and female fat distribution. 

What are the side effects of Aldactone?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Aldactone tablets 50mg include nausea, vomiting, headache, abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhoea, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, lethargy, kidney problems, rash, menstrual period changes in women, breast enlargement (gynaecomastia).

When should Aldactone not be used?

You should not use Aldactone tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to spironolactone or any ingredients in Aldactone
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have Addison’s Disease, high potassium levels in your blood due to a potassium rich diet, or if you are taking medications or supplements that increase blood potassium levels
• are not producing or passing urine
• are taking other medications that may interact with Aldactone, such as potassium supplements, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin or mefenamic acid, aspirin, digoxin for heart failure, carbenoxolone for mouth ulcers, other diuretics, the ACE inhibitors antihypertensives, ammonium chloride in some cough medications, cholestyramine for lowering blood cholesterol

What medications interact with Aldactone?

Several medications interact with Aldactone tablets 50mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Aldactone or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Aldactone: potassium supplements, ammonium chloride in some cough medications, cholestyramine for lowering blood cholesterol, the ACE inhibitors antihypertensives
• Drugs that affect Aldactone: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like indomethacin or mefenamic acid and aspirin, carbenoxolone for mouth ulcers
• Drugs that are affected by Aldactone: digoxin for heart failure

How should Aldactone be taken?

You should take your Aldactone tablets 50mg with a glass of water with or without food, once or twice daily.  The dose you take depends on your condition and what you are being treated for and should be as recommended by your doctor.  You should continue taking your Aldactone tablets 50mg even if you are feeling well, which may be for a few days or several weeks and your doctor may increase your dose during treatment. 

How long should you take Aldactone?

You should continue taking your Aldactone tablets 50mg even if you are feeling well, which may be for a few days or several weeks and your doctor may increase your dose during treatment. 

Missed dose of Aldactone

If you miss a dose of Aldactone take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Aldactone be stored?

You should store your Aldactone tablets 50mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.