Aldactone 25mg Tablets

Spironolactone is a diuretic, or water tablet. It helps your body get rid of extra fluid by making you pass more urine, while keeping potassium in. It is used to treat:

• swelling (oedema) from fluid build-up, for example in the ankles and feet
• heart failure
• high blood pressure when other medicines have not worked well enough

Take spironolactone exactly as your doctor tells you.

• Take it with food or just after eating.
• For the liquid, measure the dose with the syringe or spoon provided.
• If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless your next dose is nearly due; then skip it. Never take two doses together.
• Keep taking it unless your doctor tells you to stop, and go to your blood tests.

Common side effects include:

• dizziness
• feeling sick
• muscle or leg cramps
• tiredness
• breast pain or breast swelling (including in men)

Get medical help straight away if you have:

• muscle weakness, numbness or an irregular heartbeat (possible high potassium)
• yellow skin or eyes (possible liver problems)
• tiredness, breathlessness, feeling or being sick (possible kidney problems)
• a blistering rash around the lips or elsewhere
• swelling of the throat or tongue, a raised itchy rash, or difficulty breathing

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking it if you:

• have severe kidney problems or cannot pass urine properly
• have Addison's disease
• have ever had high potassium levels
• take digoxin, eplerenone, other blood pressure or heart failure medicines, or potassium supplements
• take anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen, diclofenac or aspirin
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Keep it in its original, tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat and moisture, and out of the reach of children.

Potassium: spironolactone can raise potassium levels. Do not use salt substitutes that contain potassium, and ask your doctor how much potassium-rich food (such as bananas) you can eat.

Pregnancy: it is not usually recommended in pregnancy.

Driving: do not drive if you feel dizzy or have blurred vision.