Some spiro information
General Information
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing medication used as a diuretic medication for heart failure, liver disease and high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. However, it has also been found useful for hirsutism, acne and seborrhoea because it has anti-androgenic properties.
Because of the anti-androgenic (Anti-Male Hormone) properties it is frequently prescribed in a male to female HRT feminizing regimen.
Generic Names (Common Brand Names)
amiloride (Midamor, Amikal, Amilospare, Arumil, Modamide, Nirulid, Pandiuren)
spironolactone (Aldactone, Adultmin, Aldopur, Aldospirone, Almatol, Berlactone, Diatensec, Diram, Esekon, Hypazon, Idrolattone, Merabis, Novospiroton, Osiren, Osyrol, Pirolacton, Resacton, Sincomen, Spiractin, Spiroctan, Spirolacton, Spirolang, Spironex, Tevaspirone, Verospiron, Xenalon Lactabs, Youlactone)
triamterene (Dyrenium, Amterene, Diarrol, Diuteren, Dytac, Jatropur, Reviten, Suloton, Triamteril, Trian, Urocaudal)
* This list may not include all brand names.
Side Effects of Spironolactone - for the Consumer
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Spironolactone:
Diarrhea; drowsiness; headache; nausea; stomach cramping; vomiting.
Low Blood Pressure: this medication is a blood pressure lowering diuretic, working by increasing fluid loss (urinating) in the body. Frequent urination is a common side effect. Patients may also note dizziness and lightheadedness until accustomed to medication.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Spironolactone:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry, or bloody stools; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; dark urine; decreased sexual ability; enlarged breasts in men; irregular or missed menstrual periods; pale stools; severe or persistent stomach pain; symptoms of abnormal fluid or electrolyte levels (eg, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; increased thirst; muscle weakness; severe or persistent dry mouth, nausea, or vomiting; severe or persistent dizziness or drowsiness; unusual fatigue or sluggishness; tingling sensation); yellowing of the skin or eyes.
Spironolactone Side Effects - for the Professional
The following adverse reactions have been reported and, within each category (body system), are listed in order of decreasing severity.
Digestive: Gastric bleeding, ulceration, gastritis, diarrhea and cramping, nausea, vomiting.
Endocrine: Gynecomastia, inability to achieve or maintain erection, irregular menses or amenorrhea, postmenopausal bleeding. Carcinoma of the breast has been reported in patients taking Spironolactone but a cause and effect relationship has not been established.
Hematologic: Agranulocytosis.
Hypersensitivity: Fever, urticaria, maculopapular or erythematous cutaneous eruptions, anaphylactic reactions, vasculitis.
Metabolism:Hyperkalemia (Elevated Potassium Levels)
Nervous System/Psychiatric: Mental confusion, ataxia, headache, drowsiness, lethargy.
Liver/Biliary: A very few cases of mixed cholestatic/hepatocellular toxicity, with one reported fatality, have been reported with Spironolactone administration.
Renal: Renal dysfunction (including renal failure).
Medical Supervision
As with ALL medications, medical supervision and regular blood testing is needed when administering spironolactone. In some cases patients may suffer from Hyperkalemia (Elevated Potassium Levels. This can lead to dizziness, racing and/or irregular heartbeat and possibly death.
In cases where the patient is found to have Hyperkalemia the patient must monitor their intake of potassium.
