Do not take Spironolactone Tablets

• if you are allergic to spironolactone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6)
• if you cannot pass urine
• if you have severe kidney disease
• if you have Addison’s disease; (a hormone deficiency characterised by extreme weakness, loss of weight and low blood pressure)
• if you have hyperkalaemia (raised blood potassium levels)
• if you are breast-feeding
• if you are taking water tablets (potassium sparing diuretics) or any potassium supplements
• if you are taking eplerenone (a medicine for high blood pressure)

Children with moderate to severe kidney disease must not take spironolactone.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Spironolactone tablets

• if you suffer from kidney disease especially children with hypertension or liver disease.
• if you are elderly. Your doctor will routinely assess you
• if you have difficulty passing urine
• if you have a disease that can result in electrolyte balance disturbance in your blood such as potassium or sodium
• if you have severe heart failure
• if you are pregnant

If you experience reduced kidney function or kidney failure you may have severe increases in the levels of potassium in your blood. This can affect the way your heart functions and in extreme cases this can be fatal.

Concomitant administration of spironolactone with certain medicines, potassium supplements and food rich in potassium may lead to severe hyperkalaemia (increased potassium blood level). The symptoms of severe hyperkalaemia might include muscle cramps, irregular heart rhythm, diarrhoea, nausea, dizziness or headache.

Other medicines and spironolactone tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription, your doctor may wish to alter your dose of spironolactone tablets if you are taking any of the following:

• digoxin or carbenoxolone
• medicines for high blood pressure including angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• other diuretics
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as aspirin, indomethacin, mefenamic acid or ibuprofen
• potassium supplements
• heparin or low molecular weight heparin (medicines used to prevent blood clots)
• antipyrine
• medicines known to cause hyperkalaemia (raised blood potassium levels)
• trimethoprim and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole

Tell your doctor, if you are using abiraterone for treatment of prostate cancer

Spironolactone reduces your responsiveness to noradrenaline. If you are going to have an operation where you will be given an anaesthetic, tell the doctor in charge that you are taking spironolactone.

Spironolactone tablets with food, drink and alcohol

See section 3 “How to take spironolactone tablets”

Pregnancy, breast-feeding and fertility

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Spironolactone tablets should not be used if you are breast-feeding. You should discuss the use of spironolactone with your doctor, who will advise you to consider an alternative method of feeding your baby while you are taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Take care if you drive or operate machinery. Drowsiness and dizziness have been associated with spironolactone tablets treatment and this may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.

Spironolactone tablets contain lactose

This medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.