CaroSpir

Generic name: Spironolactone

Usage of CaroSpir

CaroSpir is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.

CaroSpir is used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), or hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).

CaroSpir also treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.

CaroSpir is also used to diagnose or treat a condition in which you have too much aldosterone in your body. Aldosterone is a hormone produced by your adrenal glands to help regulate the salt and water balance in your body.

CaroSpir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

CaroSpir side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

CaroSpir may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

little or no urination;

high potassium level--nausea, weakness, tingly feeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, loss of movement; o

signs of other electrolyte imbalances--increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, muscle pain, slurred speech, severe weakness, numbness, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Common side effects of CaroSpir may include:

breast swelling or tenderness.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking CaroSpir

You should not use CaroSpir if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

Addison's disease (an adrenal gland disorder);

high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia);

if you are unable to urinate; or

if you are also taking eplerenone.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of calcium, magnesium, or sodium in your blood);

kidney disease;

liver disease; or

heart disease.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Having congestive heart failure, cirrhosis, or uncontrolled high blood pressure during pregnancy may lead to medical problems in the mother or the baby. Your doctor should decide whether you take CaroSpir if you are pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using CaroSpir. Ask your doctor about any risk.

How to use CaroSpir

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

You may take CaroSpir with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

You will need frequent medical tests.

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using CaroSpir.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.

Warnings

You should not use CaroSpir if you Addison's disease, high levels of potassium in your blood, if you are unable to urinate, or if you are also taking eplerenone.

What other drugs will affect CaroSpir

Using CaroSpir with other drugs that make you dizzy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

colchicine;

digoxin;

lithium;

loperamide;

trimethoprim;

heart or blood pressure medicine (especially another diuretic);

medicine to prevent a blood clot; or

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, Diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect CaroSpir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

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