Pronunciation: spir-ON-oh-LAK-tone/HYE-droe-KLOR-oh-THYE-a-zide
Generic Name: Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide
Brand Name: Aldactazide
Spironolactone, an ingredient in Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide, has been shown to cause tumors in laboratory animals. Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used for the conditions for which it is indicated. Avoid unnecessary use of Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may not be appropriate for all patients. Tell your doctor if you have never taken any medicine for high blood pressure or for swelling or fluid retention.
Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments while you are taking Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide is used for:
Treating swelling and fluid retention in patients who have congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a certain kidney problem (nephrotic syndrome) when other treatments are not effective or appropriate. It is also used to treat high blood pressure in patients for whom other treatments are not effective or appropriate. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of a potassium-sparing diuretic (spironolactone) and a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). It works by making the kidneys eliminate sodium (salt) and water from the body, which helps to lower blood pressure. The spironolactone component helps minimize potassium loss.
Do NOT use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide, to thiazide diuretics (eg, indapamide), or to any other sulfonamide (eg, sulfamethoxazole)
- you are unable to urinate, have severe kidney problems, severe liver problems, or high blood potassium levels
- you are taking another potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, amiloride, triamterene), another aldosterone-blocker (eg, eplerenone), or dofetilide
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide:
Some medical conditions may interact with Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have cirrhosis or other liver problems, diabetes, gout, kidney problems (eg, kidney stones), asthma, heart problems (eg, heart failure), menstrual problems, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus)
- if you have high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, elevated blood acid, low folic acid levels, or electrolyte problems (eg, low blood sodium levels), or are dehydrated
- if you have a history of high blood potassium levels
- if you have recently had a certain type of nerve surgery (sympathectomy)
- if you have never taken medicines for high blood pressure or for swelling or fluid retention
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), angiotensin II receptor antagonists (eg, valsartan), cyclosporine, macrolide immunosuppressives (eg, tacrolimus), other aldosterone-blockers (eg, eplerenone), other potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, amiloride, triamterene), potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because they may decrease Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide's effectiveness, and the risk of high blood potassium or kidney problems may be increased
- Corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), corticotrophin (ACTH), or loop diuretics (eg, furosemide) because the risk of low blood potassium levels may be increased
- Cholestyramine or colestipol because they may decrease Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide's effectiveness
- Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), diazoxide, digoxin, dofetilide, ketanserin, lithium, narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine), or medicines for high blood pressure because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide
- Insulin or other diabetes medicines (eg, glipizide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide:
Use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
- If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
- If you miss a dose of Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
Important safety information:
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Check with your doctor before you drink alcohol while you are using Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide can raise your blood potassium level. The risk may be increased in people with kidney or liver problems, or in the elderly. High blood potassium levels may lead to serious and possibly fatal irregular heartbeat. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide contains a sulfonamide called hydrochlorothiazide, which can cause certain eye problems (eg, myopia, angle-closure glaucoma). Your risk may be increased if you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines (eg, sulfamethoxazole) or to penicillin antibiotics (eg, amoxicillin). Untreated angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. If these eye problems occur, symptoms usually occur within hours to weeks of starting Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide. Contact your doctor right away if you experience symptoms such as vision changes (eg, decreased vision clearness) or eye pain.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause enlarged breasts in some men who take it. This effect is normally reversible after Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide is stopped, but may rarely persist after stopping it. Contact your doctor if you experience enlarged breasts.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
- Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Diabetes patients - Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide may interfere with certain lab tests, including parathyroid function. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
- Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, lung function, blood pressure, blood electrolytes, and fasting blood glucose, may be performed while you use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially high blood potassium levels.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide while you are pregnant. Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide.
Possible side effects of Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide:
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:
Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; headache; loss of appetite; nausea; stomach upset or cramping; tiredness; vomiting; weakness.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody, black, or tarry stools; burning, numbness, or tingling; confusion; dark urine; decreased coordination; decreased sexual ability; decreased urination or change in the amount of urine produced; dry mouth; excessive thirst; eye pain; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; leg or muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; menstrual changes; mental or mood changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; severe or persistent dizziness, weakness, or tiredness; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; sluggishness; stomach pain; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual drowsiness; unusual weight loss; vision changes (eg, blurred vision, decreased vision clearness); vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; light-headedness, especially upon standing; nausea; symptoms of blood electrolyte problems (eg, confusion; dizziness; irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; seizures; sluggishness; trouble breathing); unusual drowsiness; vomiting; weakness.
Proper storage of Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide:
Store Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature, below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide resources
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide Side Effects (in more detail)
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide Drug Interactions
- Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide - Add your own review/rating
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