Spironolactone Uses

Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure, edema due to nephrotic syndrome (a rare kidney disease) and liver cirrhosis, and primary hyperaldosteronism (a condition in which there are high levels of aldosterone hormone in the body).

There may be other uses of spironolactone, such as for treating acne vulgaris along with oral contraceptives (birth control pills) for therapeutic efficacy. It may also be used to treat female pattern hair loss in otherwise healthy young women. Your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Spironolactone Mechanism of Action

Spironolactone causes the kidneys to eliminate excess water and sodium from the body, at the same time reducing the loss of potassium.  

Spironolactone Doses

Spironolactone is available as 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets and a 25 mg/5 mL oral suspension.

• The initial dose of spironolactone used to treat elevated blood pressure is 25 mg to 100 mg per day in single or divided doses.
• When it is used to treat heart failure, low dose spironolactone is usually started at 25 mg once daily.
• When it is used to treat swelling (edema), the usual adult dose of spironolactone is 100 mg daily in single or divided doses. The dose is increased slowly based on response.
• For primary hyperaldosteronism, doctors prescribe spironolactone at very high doses of 100 mg to 400 mg daily in preparation for surgery. In patients who are not candidates for surgery, the lowest effective dose is used to treat the condition.