Special Warnings and Precautions
It is convenient to make periodic estimates of serum electrolytes, due to the possibility of hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and possible transient BUN elevation especially in the elderly and / or patients with preexisting impairment of renal or hepatic function, in whom the risk / benefit ratio should always be carefully assessed.
In some patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, even when renal function is normal, there have been reported Reversible hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis, usually in association with hyperkalemia.
Patients should be advised to avoid potassium supplements and foods containing high concentrations of potassium, including salt substitutes.
Drowsiness has been reported in some patients.
It is recommended to proceed with caution while operating machinery, until it has stabilized the response to initial treatment.
Do not use this medication if you have:
- kidney disease or are unable to urinate;
- high potassium levels (hyperkalemia) or
- if you are taking potassium supplements or other potassium-sparing diuretic such as Moduretic, spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide).
Before using spironolactone, tell your doctor if you have:
- heart disease;
- liver disease, or
- if you are using a steroid, or another diuretic.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need dosage adjustments or special tests to safely take spironolactone.
FDA category C may be harmful to an unborn baby. This medication may harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Spironolactone passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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