Spironolactone information sheet

Contact details

Pharmacy, The Children鈥檚 Hospital at Westmead

Telephone: (02) 7825 2711

Introduction

Spironolactone is a diuretic that helps reduce the amount of salt and water in the body and is used to help remove excess fluid from the body.

What is Spironolactone?

Spironolactone, also called Aldactone (other brands are available), is known as a potassium-sparing diuretic. Diuretics reduce the amount of salt and water in the body and increase the volume of urine. 

It is used to help remove excess fluid from the body and can lower blood pressure. It is a special type of diuretic as it prevents the body from losing potassium, unlike other diuretics.

Medication instructions

How to give Spironolactone

Give this medicine exactly as your doctor ordered. It can be given with or without food. 

If your child requires liquid, use a syringe to accurately measure the dose. Alternatively, if your child requires tablets, they may be dispersed in a small amount of water or mixed with a spoon of yoghurt if necessary. 

Give your child Spironolactone at the same time every day. Choose times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses. 

For older children, they may prefer to take spironolactone in the early afternoon to avoid having to get up overnight to use the bathroom.

Please be aware that this medicine has hazardous properties. Please wash your hands before and after giving this medicine to your child

What to do if your child vomits

  • If your child vomits less than 15 minutes after receiving medication, the dose may be repeated.
  • If your child vomits more than 15 minutes after receiving medication, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next scheduled dose is due.

What to do if your child misses a dose

  • If a dose is missed, give it within 4 hours. 
  • If it has been more than 4 hours after the usual time, do not give the missed dose. Just give the dose at the next scheduled time.
  • Do not double any doses. 

Medication storage and safety

Storage

Keep spironolactone liquid in the fridge. Tablets may be kept at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. It is important to keep the medication out of reach of children.

Side effects

Your child may experience some side effects whilst taking Spironolactone庐 . These side effects may go away as your child gets used to it.

Check with your doctor if your child continues to experience any of the following effects:

  • Fatigue, dizziness when standing up or weakness
  • Stomach cramps or discomfort
  • Blurred vision
  • Headaches
  • Decreased appetite, nausea or vomiting. (If your child is experiencing gastro symptoms, please notify your doctor or present to the Emergency Department to avoid further dehydration) 
  • Dry mouth or increased thirst
  • There may be other side effects 鈥� check with your doctor or pharmacist if these occur.

Your child may require repeat electrolyte blood testing for long term or high dose diuretics. Please speak with your doctor.

Medication scripts

Please ask your child鈥檚 Doctor at a follow up appointment for another medication script if required.

If this is a regular medicine for your child, the GP should be your first point of call for repeat prescriptions. 

If your child is on liquid Spironolactone, a script needs to come internally from CHW/SCH or from a GP to get at a compounding chemist. Please contact your doctors team with at least two weeks notice. 

Overdose information

In the case of an overdose or poisoning, call the NSW Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (24 hour service).