Control Your Blood Pressure With Aldactone

Spirionolactone is commonly known as Aldactone, a drug that is used for high blood pressure control. This prescription diuretic and antiandrogen is sold as Berlactone, Spiractin, Novo-Soiroton, and Spirotone.

This medication is used for blood pressure control as well as conditions that affect the kidneys, low potassium levels, congestive heart failure, and cirrhosis of the liver. Since this medication is a diuretic it helps to flush excess fluid and sodium from the body to reduce or eliminate excess fluid retention. Aldactone can also be used to diagnose as well as treat Hyperaldosteronism, a condition that causes excessive production of Aldosterone a hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands.

Usage

Although this medication is used to treat high blood pressure, Aldactone can be used in the treatment of other conditions. This medication can be used alone or coupled with other medications.

This medication needs to be taken regularly. If you start feeling better as you are taking this medication you shouldn’t stop taking the drug. The medication is only treating symptoms, not curing a disease. If you take this medication to reduce edema you may find that for the first few weeks of taking this medication you have to use the restroom more frequently than you are used to. This will usually level out with treatment.

Precautions

You need to stick to a schedule when you are taking this medication. As with most medication schedules if you miss a dose you should take it immediately and if you are getting close to the next scheduled dose skip the missed dose. You shouldn’t take two doses close together as they can cause your blood pressure to plummet. For the first few weeks this medication will not be as effective as it is reaching therapeutic levels. High blood pressure has no cure and this medication will only treat symptoms and not cure your ailment.

If you have a scheduled procedure or surgery planned make sure you tell your physician. You should also discuss any foods that you should avoid while you are on the medication.

Side Effects

While taking Aldactone you may experience side effects including:
* changes in potassium levels
* dry mouth
* muscle pain
* Muscle cramps
* skin problems
* headache
* diarrhea
* drowsiness
* fever
* skin problems
* breast development in men
* deepening of the voice
* irregular menstruation
* excessive hairiness
* bleeding or inflammation of the stomach and liver
* irregular heart beat

People who have a high potassium levels shouldn’t take this medication nor should those with heart, liver, or kidney problems take Aldactone.