Verospiron

Drug name: Verospiron

Other names used:

Abbolactone®
Acelat®
Aldace®
Aldactide®
Aldactone®
Aldactone A®
Alderon®
Aldopur®
Aldospirone®
Almatol®
Altex®
Aquareduct®
Deverol®
Diatensec®
Dira®
Duraspiron®
Euteberol®
Lacalmin®
Lacdene®
Laractone®
Melarcon®
Nefurofan®

Active Ingredients: spironolactone

Therapeutic actions: Spironolactone is used to treat certain patients with hyperaldosteronism (the body produces too much aldosterone, a naturally occurring hormone); low potassium levels; and in patients with edema (fluid retention) caused by various conditions, including heart, liver, or kidney disease. Spironolactone is also used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Spironolactone is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine, but reduces the loss of potassium from the body.

Indications: It is used mainly in the treatment of refractory edema in patients with congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, or hepatic cirrhosis. Its effects on the endocrine system are utilized in the treatments of hirsutism and acne but they can lead to adverse effects.

Contraindications and cautions: Before taking spironolactone,

tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to spironolactone; any other medications; or the ingredients in spironolactone tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor if you are taking amiloride (Midamor), potassium supplements, triamterene (Dyrenium). Your doctor may tell you not to take aldactone if you are taking one or more of these medications.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril, (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and trandolapril (Mavik); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); barbiturates such as phenobarbital; digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxicaps, Lanoxin); diuretics ('water pills'); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications to treat high blood pressure; narcotic medications for pain; and oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone).
tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take aldactone.
tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking spironolactone, call your doctor. Do not breastfeed if you are taking spironolactone.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking spironolactone.
you should know that drinking alcohol with this medication may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. Talk to your doctor about drinking alcohol while you are taking spironolactone.

Adverse effects: The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Spironolactone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

vomiting
diarrhea
stomach pain or cramps
dry mouth
thirst
dizziness
unsteadiness
headache
enlarged or painful breasts in men or women
irregular menstrual periods
vaginal bleeding in post-menopausal ('after the change of life', the end of monthly menstrual periods) women
difficulty maintaining or achieving an erection
deepening of voice
increased hair growth on parts of the body
drowsiness
tiredness
restlessness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

muscle weakness, pain, or cramps
pain, burning, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
inability to move arms or legs
changes in heartbeat
confusion
nausea
extreme tiredness
unusual bleeding or bruising
lack of energy
loss of appetite
pain in the upper right part of the stomach
yellowing of the skin or eyes
fever, sore throat, cough, chills, and other signs of infection
flu-like symptoms
cold, gray skin
rash
hives
itching
difficulty breathing or swallowing
vomiting blood
blood in stools
decreased urination
blurred vision
fainting

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.

Interactions: Tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine.

Spironolactone can lower blood sodium levels while raising flood potassium levels. Excessively high blood potassium levels can lead to potentially life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities. Therefore, spironolactone usually is not administered with other agents that can raise blood potassium levels, such as potassium supplements, ACE inhibitors, indometacin (Indocin), or other potassium-sparing diuretics. Spironolactone can cause elevation of blood digoxin (Lanoxin) levels, requiring adjustment of the digoxin dosage.

Additional Information: DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS PRODUCT, as well as syringes and needles, if needed during treatment, out of the reach of children. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials.