What is spironolactone?
- Type of drug: mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA)
- Use: potassium sparing diuretic (water tablet); chronic liver disease; chronic heart failure (CHF)
- Dose: 25-100 mg once a day
- Side-effects:
- Gynaecomastia (breast enlargement in male); abnormal liver function;
- Hyponatraemia (low blood sodium) – that you will not normally notice
- Hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium) – that you will not normally notice
- Monitor: sodium, potassium.
Note. It is especially likely to cause hyperkalaemia if the patient is on another drug that causes that, e.g. ACE/ARBs.
Other resources
CKD drug side-effects
CKD patient information (CKD Explained’s 30+ core articles about CKD)
Spironolactone (BNF)
Review article: Patibandla, 2023
Last Reviewed on 5 May 2024