Heart Failure: Treating Heart Failure With Aldactone

Aldactone, an aldosterone inhibitor, is a potassium-sparing diuretic. This medication is used to treat patients with severe heart failure when systolic dysfunction is present.

Aldactone is usually prescribed in low doses to prevent heart failure symptoms from becoming worse. Aldactone protects the heart by blocking a certain chemical (aldosterone) in the body that causes salt and fluid build-up.

When receiving aldactone, you will be given a low dose that does not provide enough diuretic effects by itself. Your doctor will usually prescribe another type of diuretic in addition to aldactone.

How Do I Take Aldactone?

Follow the label directions on how often to take this medication. If you are taking a single dose a day, take it in the morning with your breakfast or right after eating your breakfast. If you are taking more than one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 4 p.m.

The number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and how long you need to take the medication will depend on your condition.

What Side Effects Could I Experience?

Among the side effects you may experience include:

• Extreme tiredness: This side effect may be strongest when you first start taking the medication. It should decrease as your body adjusts to the medication. Call your doctor if this symptom persists.
• Increased urination: This is normal and may last for up to 6 hours after a dose.
• Abnormal enlargement of one or both breasts in men: This may be associated with breast pain and is a temporary side effect. Contact your doctor if this symptom persists or is severe.
• Upset stomach: Take this medication with meals or milk to reduce this symptom. Contact your doctor if this symptom persists or is severe.
• Skin rash or itching: Stop taking the medication and call your doctor right away.
• Shortness of breath: Call your doctor right away.
• Confusion; irregular heartbeat; nervousness; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet or lips: Contact your doctor right away.

Should I Avoid Certain Food or Medicine While Taking Aldactone?

Yes. Here are some guidelines for taking food and medicine with aldactone:

• Aldactone is generally prescribed in combination with an ACE inhibitor, digoxin, other diuretic and beta-blocker. If you experience an increase in side effects after taking your medications together, contact your doctor. You may need to change the times you are taking each medication.
• Before this medication is prescribed, tell your doctor about all the other medications you are taking, particularly other medications for high blood pressure, Sandimmune, potassium-containing medications, digoxin or lithium.
• Before this medication is prescribed, tell your doctor if you have diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, gout, a history of kidney stones, menstrual problems or breast enlargement.
• Follow your doctor's dietary advice, which may include: following a low-sodium diet, or including (or avoiding) high-potassium foods (such as bananas and orange juice) in your diet.

Other Guidelines

• Weigh yourself at the same time every day (on the same scale) and record your weight. Call your doctor if you gain 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week.
• While taking this medication, have your blood pressure and kidney function tested regularly, as advised by your doctor.
• Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to this medication can be monitored.

Reviewed by the doctors at the The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center.