Q: What is spironolactone?
A: Spironolactone is a diuretic and belongs to the class of potassium sparing diuretics (water tablets), which help to lose excess fluid from your body. They may be used for congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder), liver cirrhosis with fluid retention (oedema) and swelling of the abdomen (ascites), a cancerous disease with swelling of the abdomen (malignant ascites) and diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism (a condition where excess hormone is produced).

Q: Is spironolactone an over the counter drug?
A: Spironolactone is not an over the counter medicine. It is a prescription drug and is available only with a valid prescription by a doctor.

Q: Can spironolactone cause constipation?
A: Spironolactone has not been reported to cause constipation. Talk to your doctor if you have constipation while taking spironolactone as it could be due to some other underlying condition.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with indomethacin?
A: Indomethacin may increase the diuretic effect of spironolactone and both can increase the potassium levels in the blood. Patients should follow doctors advice if these two medicines are to be used together.

Q: Can I use spironolactone for weight control?
A: Spironolactone does not cause weight loss and is not used for weight control. Please consult a doctor for the right therapy for weight control.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with paracetamol (acetaminophen)?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with paracetamol (acetaminophen). No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Can I take spironolactone forever?
A: Spironolactone should be taken for a duration as advised by your doctor.

Q: How long can I take spironolactone for acne?
A: Do not take spironolactone for acne unless advised by your doctor as it is not approved for use in this condition. If you are given spironolactone for acne, please take it for a duration as advised by your doctor.

Q: Can males take spironolactone for acne?
A: Spironolactone in used for treating acne in males. While it does decrease sebum production and can be helpful, it is not used in men because it blocks the action of androgens (male hormone) at the receptor sites in tissue and can cause feminizing physical side effects. If you are a male and suffering from acne, please consult your doctor before taking any medicines for your condition.

Q: Is spironolactone an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor?
A: Spironolactone is not an ACE inhibitor. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water tablets), which helps you lose excess fluid from your body.

Q: Is spironolactone a thiazide diuretic?
A: Spironolactone is not a thiazide diuretic. It belongs to a different class of diuretics known as the potassium-sparing diuretics (water tablets), which helps you lose excess fluid from your body.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with birth control?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with birth control pills (oral contraceptives) as no drug-drug interactions or side effects have been reported when used together. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor before taking spironolactone with any birth control pills (oral contraceptives).

Q: Can I take spironolactone with phentermine?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with phentermine. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with amoxicillin?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with amoxicillin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Can I take spironolactone without birth control?
A: Spironolactone alone is used to treat conditions like congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder), liver cirrhosis with fluid retention (edema) and swelling of the abdomen (ascites). Spironolactone with birth control pills (oral contraceptives) is used in women for the treatment of their acne. However, it is not yet approved for the treatment of acne. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine for acne.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with metformin?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with metformin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with isotretinoin?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with isotretinoin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with guaifenesin?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with guaifenesin. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with vitamins?
A: Spironolactone can be taken with vitamins. No drug-drug interactions have been reported between the two. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Q: Does spironolactone cause weight gain?
A: Spironolactone does not cause weight gain. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight gain while taking spironolactone.

Q: Does spironolactone stop your period?
A: Spironolactone does not stop period, however, it can cause irregular periods. Please consult your doctor if you experience irregular periods while taking spironolactone.

Q: Does spironolactone help hirsutism (excessive hair growth)?
A: Spironolactone can be used for the treatment of hirsuitism. Do not take spironolactone for hirsuitism unless advised by your doctor.

Q: Does spironolactone cause weight loss?
A: Spironolactone does not cause weight loss. Please consult your doctor if you experience weight loss while taking spironolactone as it could be due to some other underlying conditions.

Q: Does spironolactone cause hair loss?
A: Spironolactone can cause hair loss. Please consult your doctor if you experience hair loss while taking spironolactone as the dose of the drug may needs to be changed.

Q: Does spironolactone cause depression?
A: Spironolactone does not cause depression. Please consult your doctor if you experience depression while taking spironolactone.

Q: Does spironolactone help with acne?
A: Spironolactone is not approved for treating acne. However, it has been seen to be effective in treating acne in females. It is prescribed and paired with a birth control pill. A significant number of patients have reported that they have seen positive results in the pairing of these two medications, although these results may not be seen for up to three months. Talk to your doctor if you are suffering from acne as the therapy should be started only when advised by a doctor.

Q: Does spironolactone cause hyponatremia?
A: Spironolactone can cause hyponatremia (very low level of sodium in the blood). Hyponatremia signs and symptoms may include nausea and vomiting, headache, confusion, loss of energy and tiredness, restlessness and irritability, muscle weakness, spasms or cramps, seizures, and coma. Please consult your doctor if you have the signs and symptoms of hyponatremia as it requires proper diagnosis and management.

Q: Does spironolactone increase estrogen?
A: Spironolactone is not known to increase estrogen levels. Spironolactone is a steroid that blocks the effects of the hormones aldosterone and testosterone and has some effects similar to those of the hormone progesterone.

Q: Does spironolactone work?
A: Spironolactone works if taken for the right indication for a prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor.

Q: Is spironolactone safe?
A: Spironolactone is safe if taken for prescribed duration in prescribed doses as advised by your doctor.

Q: Is spironolactone a diuretic?
A: Spironolactone is a diuretic and belongs to the class of potassium sparing diuretics (water tablets), which help to lose excess fluid from your body. They may be used for congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome (a kidney disorder), liver cirrhosis with fluid retention (oedema) and swelling of the abdomen (ascites), a cancerous disease with swelling of the abdomen (malignant ascites) and diagnosis and treatment of primary aldosteronism (a condition where excess hormone is produced).

Q: Is spironolactone a steroid?
A: Spironolactone is a synthetic steroid which works by blocking the effects of the hormones aldosterone. It also blocks the action of testosterone.

Q: Does spironolactone cause insomnia (inability to sleep)?
A: Spironolactone has not been reported to cause insomnia (inability to sleep). However, it can make you feel drowsy (sleepy). Talk to your doctor in case you have sleep problems while taking this drug.

Q: Is spironolactone a beta blocker?
A: Spironolactone is not a beta blocker. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water tablets), which helps you lose excess fluid from your body.

Q: Is spironolactone a hormone?
A: Spironolactone is not a hormone. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water tablets), which helps you lose excess fluid from your body.

Q: Is spironolactone a blood pressure medication?
A: Spironolactone not indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure. However, it is a diuretic, which helps you lose excess fluid from your body and can lower your blood pressure especially if you are also taking other blood pressure lowering drugs. Talk to your doctor before taking spironolactone if you are a hypertensive and also taking blood pressure lowering drugs.

Q: Is spironolactone a controlled substance?
A: Spironolactone is not a controlled substance. It is a prescription medicine and is available on providing a valid prescription.

Q: Is spironolactone harmful to kidneys?
A: Spironolactone can lead to acute kidney failure particularly in those who already have impaired kidney function. Please tell your doctor if you have kidney problems as you may have to be given a different dose and a close monitoring of your kidney function test may be required.

Q: Is spironolactone a blood thinner?
A: Spironolactone is not a blood thinner. It is a potassium-sparing diuretic (also known as water tablets).

Q: Does spironolactone cause cancer?
A: Breast cancer has been reported as a very rare side effect of spironolactone. Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concern regarding this side effect.

Q: Can I take spironolactone with furosemide?
A: Both spironolactone and furosemide are diuretics. However, they belong to the different class of diuretics. When used together, they can increase the diuretic effect of each other. Also, spironolactone causes an increase in potassium levels while furosemide decreases the potassium levels. Effect of this interaction is not very clear. So, it is advisable to talk to your doctor before taking the two drugs together.

Q: Can I use Aldactone with Torasemide?
A: Aldactone can be taken along with Torasemide and their combination is quite beneficial in maintaining the blood potassium levels. Torsemide is a loop diuretic and causes loss of potassium from your body while Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic which prevents the loss of potassium.