Spironolactone
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic for heart failure, high blood pressure and fluid retention, sold here as 25mg and 100mg tablets under the Aldactone and Spironolactone names.
Spironolactone
Spironolactone
25/100mg
Spironolactone 25mg and 100mg tablets — a potassium-sparing diuretic for fluid build-up, heart failure and high blood pressure, taken once or twice a day.
What spironolactone is
Spironolactone is a diuretic — a water tablet — of the potassium-sparing kind. Most diuretics flush potassium out along with the extra salt and water; this one holds on to it. The reason lies in where it acts: it blocks aldosterone, the hormone that tells the kidneys to keep sodium in the body. Block that signal and more sodium, and with it more water, leaves in the urine, while potassium stays put.
What it is used for
Fluid that has collected in the legs, abdomen or lungs is the main target. That covers heart failure, high blood pressure, and oedema (swelling) from liver or kidney disease, including cirrhosis and nephrotic syndrome. It is also a standard treatment for primary hyperaldosteronism, where the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone. Separately, spironolactone blocks androgen receptors, so it is used in women for hormone-related acne and unwanted facial hair.
How the tablets are taken
The usual pattern is a single tablet a day at a fixed hour. Mornings work for most people, since the extra urine is then passed while they are awake, and a meal alongside helps if the tablet irritates the stomach. Potassium is the thing to keep away from. "Low sodium" salt substitutes are generally potassium chloride, so they and potassium supplements are best left out. Ibuprofen, naproxen and diclofenac, and blood pressure medicines ending in -pril or -sartan, can push potassium up as well. Lithium is a further interaction.
The two spironolactone listings
Both products here are tablets in 25mg and 100mg: Aldactone, the brand name, and Spironolactone, the same medicine under its own name. The ingredient, the strengths and the form are identical; what differs is the name on the box. Pick whichever name you know. Both sit in the shop's heart and blood pressure section.
Side effects and what to watch for
Breast tenderness or enlargement is the best known, and it happens in men too. Women may notice irregular or missed periods, and higher doses can bring increased body hair or a deepening of the voice. Dizziness, headache, stomach upset, diarrhoea, muscle cramps, thirst and tiredness are common early on. A potassium level that climbs too high shows itself as muscle weakness or an irregular heartbeat. Very low blood pressure can cause fainting, and a rare reaction to the medicine appears as a widespread rash or yellowing of the skin and eyes. Severe kidney disease, Addison's disease and already-high potassium rule it out.
Sources
- Spironolactone: MedlinePlus Drug Information — MedlinePlus / U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Spironolactone - NHS — NHS UK
Where can I buy Spironolactone in Hong Kong?
Spironolactone can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The page lists Spironolactone tablets in 25mg and 100mg and generic Aldactone tablets in 25mg and 100mg. Tracked courier delivery to Hong Kong takes 5 to 9 business days and includes online tracking.
What is the price of Spironolactone?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the two spironolactone products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Spironolactone?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order spironolactone. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What is another name for spironolactone?
Aldactone is a brand name of spironolactone, which is also sold as Verospiron. Here, spironolactone can be bought online as generic Aldactone and spironolactone tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
How long does spironolactone take to work?
You may notice more trips to the bathroom within a day, but the effect on swelling or blood pressure builds up over days and can take a few weeks to be fully felt. That is why it is judged over a stretch of time rather than after one tablet.
Can I drink alcohol with spironolactone?
Alcohol adds to the drop in blood pressure the tablets can cause, so a heavy night may leave you dizzy or light-headed. A drink or two is usually uneventful; the trouble comes when you stand up quickly after several.
What is the difference between Aldactone and spironolactone tablets?
Nothing in the medicine itself. Both contain spironolactone, both come as 25mg and 100mg tablets, and both work the same way. Aldactone is the branded version, while the product simply called Spironolactone is the unbranded one. Choose by the name you know.
Can I take ibuprofen with spironolactone?
Ibuprofen and similar anti-inflammatories such as naproxen and diclofenac can blunt the diuretic effect and push potassium up. Occasional use is less of a concern than daily use over weeks. If aches are a regular problem, paracetamol does not interact in the same way.
Will spironolactone affect my periods?
It can. Irregular, lighter or missed periods and breast tenderness are among the most common effects in women, because the medicine also blocks male-type hormones. Breast changes may ease over time or may continue for as long as you take it, particularly at the higher strength.