Spironolactone is a potassium- and magnesium-preserving diuretic. The drug is a powerful diuretic, which avoids leaching of vital salts from the body. It also lowers the acidity of urine. You should pay attention to this, trying to replace "Spironolactone" during treatment. Analogues of the drug do not always have such properties.
Composition and form of release
This drug is available in tablet form. The active ingredient is spironolactone. One pill contains 25 or 100 mg of this substance. Also, its composition includes auxiliary components: potato starch, monohydrate, lactose, povidone, calcium stearate. Round-shaped tablets are packed in a cardboard box of 20 pieces.
pharmachologic effect
The drug "Spironolactone" is an antagonist of aldosterone. It is a hormone of the adrenal cortex. Aldosterone, combining with protein receptors of cells of the distal nephron, helps to reduce the excretion of sodium and water from the body, but increases the leaching of potassium. Spironolactone competes with this hormone and acts in the exact opposite. The drug helps to remove water and sodium from the body, preserving potassium ions. The electrolyte balance is not violated.
Currently, the pharmacodynamics of the drug has been well studied. When it enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is rapidly absorbed by binding to plasma proteins. The bioavailability of the tablets is approximately 99%. A simultaneous intake with food accelerates the absorption of the active active substance of the drug.
The therapeutic effect, according to the instructions, occurs after 5 days. To activate the action of the drug requires its gradual accumulation in the body to a certain concentration. Otherwise, in medical practice, this is called the cumulative effect. The active substance quickly passes into breast milk, and is excreted from the body along with feces and urine. What diseases do doctors prescribe "Spironolactone" for?
Indications for use
The instructions to "Spironolactone" report that the drug is intended to treat the following diseases and pathologies:
- Edematous syndrome that occurs against a background of heart failure.
- Hyperaldosteronism.
- Essential hypertension.
- Secondary hyperaldosteronism caused by cirrhosis.
The treatment of a disease should be started after consultation with a doctor.
Contraindications
In what cases is the drug “Spironolactone” not recommended? Indications for use, presented above, are not a reason for self-treatment. This drug has a number of contraindications and side effects.
The instructions for the medication say that its use for therapeutic purposes is not recommended for people with Addison's disease, hypercalcemia, diabetes mellitus. With extreme caution, the medicine should be used for women with menstrual irregularities, enlarged mammary glands.
Instructions for use
This medication is intended for oral use. Its dosage is determined by the doctor individually, based on the severity of the violation of the water-electrolyte balance and the hormonal background of the patient.
With edema due to neurotic syndrome, therapy is started with 100-200 mg of the drug per day. The dosage must be divided into two to three doses. The duration of treatment is approximately three weeks. In the case of hyperaldosteronism and a low potassium content in the blood, the medicine “Spironolactone-Darnitsa” is prescribed in a dosage of 300 mg per day.
With edematous syndrome associated with heart failure of a chronic nature, the course of treatment is 5 days. Tablets are prescribed in a dosage of 100-200 mg. Additionally, patients are usually prescribed thiazide and loop diuretics. With a positive dynamics of recovery, the dosage is gradually reduced to 25 mg per day.
Side effects
What side effects does Spironolactone have? Analogues of this drug are characterized by poor tolerance. "Spironolactone", in contrast to them, is characterized by rapid absorption and good therapeutic effect. Side effects are rarely diagnosed, which are described in more detail below.
- Metabolism: change in acid-base balance, hyperuricemia.
- CNS: increased drowsiness, headaches, lethargy.
- Circulatory system: megaloblastosis, thrombocytopenia.
- Gastrointestinal tract: pain in the abdomen, ulcers, intestinal colic, diarrhea.
- Endocrine system: erectile dysfunction, breast carcinoma, coarsening of the voice.
- Allergic reactions: itching, urticaria, rash.
If the above symptoms occur, consult a doctor. As a rule, a specialist decides to replace Spironolactone. Analogues of this drug also have side effects, but they are less pronounced.
special instructions
During treatment with Spironolactone:
- It is recommended to avoid the use of foods rich in potassium.
- All alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited.
- You should refrain from the simultaneous use of medicines, in which potassium is present.
If non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are additionally prescribed for treatment, it is necessary to monitor the work of the kidneys and the electrolytes in the blood.
At the initial stage of therapy, it is recommended to refrain from driving a car and working with serious mechanisms that require a high speed of psychomotor reactions and increased attention. The duration of such a restriction is established individually, based on the tolerability of the drug “Spironolactone”.
Medication price and storage conditions
The cost of a drug varies by dosage. For one package of tablets you will have to pay from 30 to 50 rubles. The final cost also depends on the margin, which many pharmacy chains set.
According to the instructions, the drug is recommended to be stored at a temperature not exceeding 20 degrees, out of the reach of children’s hands. Shelf life is 3 years.
Analogues of the drug
What medicines can replace Spironolactone? Analogues of this medication in most cases have a similar composition and concentration of the main component. These include the following medications: Veroshpilakton, Aldactone, Veroshpiron. The latter is most often used instead of the drug considered in this article.
Among the well-known generics, the following medicines can be noted: Dekriz, Inspra, Espiro, Epletor. According to the mechanism of action, they are all similar to Spironolactone. Indications for use and biological digestibility do not differ. These diuretics are very effective in order to normalize blood pressure, remove excess fluid from the body. However, generics practically do not protect against leaching of potassium and magnesium salts, so many doctors prefer to use the original drug.
To summarize
Now you know under what pathologies and disorders Spironolactone is prescribed. The price of the drug and its widespread availability are two main criteria by which many patients give preference to this particular medicine. Numerous positive reviews also prove the high effectiveness of Spironolactone.