Spironolactone oral tablet dosage: A detailed guide

Spironolactone oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Aldactone. Spironolactone also comes as an oral suspension, which is a type of liquid mixture. But that form isn’t described in this article. To learn more about this form, talk with your doctor.

This article describes spironolactone oral tablet’s dosages, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for spironolactone.

If you want to know more about spironolactone oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.

Form and strengths of spironolactone

Spironolactone oral tablet comes as follows:

• Form: tablet that you swallow
• Strengths: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, 100 mg

Dosage of spironolactone

This article describes the recommended dosages* for spironolactone oral tablet.

If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of spironolactone oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.

* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.

Usual recommended dosages of spironolactone in adults

Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of spironolactone oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of spironolactone oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.

Dosage for high blood pressure and other conditions

Dosages for spironolactone’s approved uses show below.

High blood pressure

The recommended dosage for treating high blood pressure is as follows:

• Starting dosage: 25 mg to 100 mg per day, to be taken in one dose or divided into two doses
• Dosage increase: every 2 weeks if needed as determined by your doctor
• Maximum dosage: 100 mg per day

Heart failure

Your dosage of spironolactone for heart failure depends on your potassium levels. A potassium level of about 5 milliequivalents (mEq) per liter is considered normal. A potassium level higher than that may be too high.

Your dosage for heart failure also depends on your kidney function. Your kidney function is measured by various tests, including glomerular filtration rate (GFR). If your GFR is above 90, that’s considered normal. If your GFR is between 50 and 30, that’s considered very low kidney function.

The recommended dosages are as follows.

If your potassium levels are 5 mEq per liter or lower and your GFR is greater than 50:

• Starting dosage: 25 mg once per day
• Dosage increase: increase to 50 mg once per day if you tolerate the starting dosage
• Dosage decrease: decrease to 25 mg once every other day if you still have high potassium with starting dosage

If you’re at risk of high potassium because your GFR is between 50 and 30:

• Starting dosage: 25 mg once every other day

For continued treatment, your doctor will determine the best dosage of spironolactone for you.

Fluid retention

The recommended dosage for treating fluid retention is as follows. A maintenance dosage is what you’ll take for the remainder of your treatment.

• Dosage range: 25 mg to 200 mg per day, to be taken in one dose or divided into two doses*
• Typical maintenance dosage: 100 mg per day, to be taken in one dose or divided into two doses

* If you have liver disease, typically you’ll start treatment in the hospital. Your doctor will monitor how your body responds to the drug.

High levels of aldosterone

Aldosterone is a hormone the body makes. Sometimes your aldosterone level is too high and causes symptoms. These include high blood pressure, muscle weakness, and low potassium.

If you take spironolactone short term before surgery, the recommended dosage is:

• Dose: 100 mg to 400 mg
• Frequency: once per day

If you take spironolactone long term:

• Dosage: lowest dose that manages your symptoms

Your doctor will determine the best dose of spironolactone to help manage your symptoms.

Dosage adjustments for spironolactone

Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of spironolactone oral tablet based on several factors. These include:

• the specific condition being treated and its severity
• your age
• other health conditions you may have
• your liver and kidney function

Missed dose of spironolactone

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot to take a dose of spironolactone oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.

For tips on how to plan your doses of spironolactone oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:

• downloading a reminder app on your phone
• setting an alarm
• putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table

Frequently asked questions

Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about spironolactone oral tablet and its dosage.

Can spironolactone be taken for acne or PCOS? If so, what’s the dosage?

Yes, doctors sometimes prescribe spironolactone off-label for acne and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what it’s approved to treat.

To learn more about the dosage of spironolactone for either of these uses, talk with your doctor.

Is spironolactone taken long term?

Yes, doctors typically prescribe spironolactone oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.

But sometimes doctors prescribe spironolactone as a short-term treatment for certain surgeries.

If you have questions about how long you should take spironolactone oral tablet, talk with your doctor.

How spironolactone is taken

You’ll swallow spironolactone oral tablet, usually once or twice per day. In certain cases, you may take it one time every other day.

You can take spironolactone oral tablet with or without food. But try to be consistent about taking it either with food or without it.

Spironolactone may make you urinate, so your doctor may recommend certain timing of your doses. That way you won’t have to wake up during the night to urinate. If you take one dose per day, they might recommend taking it in the morning. If you take two doses per day, they may recommend taking your second dose in the afternoon.

Your doctor may advise that you take this medication around the same time each day. This helps keep a consistent amount of the drug in your body. And doing so can help the drug work more effectively.

The drugmaker doesn’t state whether the tablet can be chewed, split, or crushed. If it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.

Also, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.

Spironolactone coupon

Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for spironolactone when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs. 

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Overdose of spironolactone

It’s important that you do not take more spironolactone oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to harmful effects.

Symptoms of spironolactone overdose

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• dizziness
• rash
• drowsiness
• confusion

In rare cases, symptoms of an overdose also can include:

• low sodium
• high potassium (more likely if you have kidney problems)
• coma

What to do if you take too much spironolactone

If you think you’ve taken too much spironolactone, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.

What to ask your doctor

This article describes the usual recommended dosages for spironolactone oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.

Do not change your dosage of spironolactone oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take spironolactone oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• If I need to stop taking spironolactone, do I need to taper or reduce my dose slowly?
• Will a higher dosage of spironolactone lead to more side effects?
• What times of day should I take my spironolactone dose?
• Will my spironolactone dosage change if I start taking a different blood pressure medication?

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.