Medicines & Supplements A to Z > Spironolactone
Spironolactone
Last updated on July 19, 2019.
Overview | Dosage | Side Effects | Where To Buy
GENERIC NAME: Spironolactone
CHINESE NAME: 螺內酯
COMMON BRANDS IN HONG KONG: Spironolactone Actavis, Aldactone 安達通
What is Spironolactone for?
Spironolactone belongs to a class of medications called aldosterone antagonists (or potassium-sparing diuretics). It helps your body to get rid of salt and water more easily and also blocks the activity of male hormones (androgens). It is commonly used for swelling, liver cirrhosis, high blood pressure, high aldosterone level, heart failure with swelling and low potassium level. Spironolactone’s anti-androgen effects can be helpful in women with certain types of acne, excessive male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), and female pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia).
How to use it?
Spironolactone is taken by mouth.
The suggested oral dosages for different uses and age groups are listed below:
For swelling
Adult
Take 100 mg once or twice daily.
Child
Usually 1-3 mg/kg/day every 6 to 24 hours. Doses are adjusted according to response.
For liver cirrhosis with swelling
Adult
Take 100 mg daily. Dosage ranges up to 400 mg daily.
Elderly
Start with the lowest effective dose then adjust upward if necessary
For high aldosterone level
Adult
Start with 100-400 mg. The lowest effective dose will be given as a maintenance dose.
Child
Usually 1-3 mg/kg/day every 6 to 24 hours. Doses are adjusted according to response.
Elderly
Start with the lowest effective dose then adjust upward if necessary
For heart failure with swelling
Adult and Elderly
Usually start with 12.5- 25 mg once daily. If 25 mg once daily dose is not tolerated, 25 mg every other day will be given.
For high blood pressure
Adults
Usually start with 25-50 mg daily
For women with acne, hirsutism, or androgenic alopecia
Adults
Usually start with 50-100 mg once or twice daily. Doses are adjusted based on response.
What are the side effects of Spironolactone?
The common side effects of Spironolactone are diarrhea, nausea, and high blood potassium levels. Some less common side effects include irregular menstrual bleeding, erectile dysfunction, high blood glucose level, and enlarged breasts in men.
Where to buy Spironolactone in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, Spironolactone is a prescription only medicine, and requires a prescription from a doctor to be purchased in a pharmacy. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.
For more information about drug names and ingredients, you can visit Hong Kong’s Drug Office at http://www.drugoffice.gov.hk
For detailed information about the use of Spironolactone in children, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and for questions about drug interactions, please check with your pharmacist or doctor.
Disclaimer: our goal is to provide you with the most relevant drug information and common dosage for Hong Kong. This information does not constitute medical advice. For specific treatment recommendations and advice, always discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, and follow the instructions included with your specific medicine.