Spironolactone, Aldactone, Carospir

Introduction

Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA
Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Updated on October 11, 2023

Spironolactone oral tablet is a generic medication that’s prescribed for fluid buildup, high blood pressure, and other conditions. The brand-name versions of this drug are Aldactone and Carospir. The cost of spironolactone with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.  

Spironolactone comes as an oral tablet that you swallow.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved spironolactone to:

• treat certain types of heart failure and symptoms related to heart failure
• lower blood pressure when used with other medications
• reduce swelling in patients with certain liver conditions
• treat certain adrenal gland conditions affecting levels of the hormone aldosterone

Read on to learn about spironolactone and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about spironolactone, including its uses, refer to this overview article.

Cost of spironolactone

Like other medications, the cost of spironolactone can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use

To find out how much spironolactone costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the following section.

Coupons for spironolactone

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of spironolactone. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

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

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for spironolactone

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization. If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of spironolactone. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for spironolactone. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply. If you’re taking/using spironolactone long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand names

Spironolactone is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re believed to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

If your doctor has prescribed spironolactone but you’re interested in taking Aldactone or Carospir, let them know. They may prefer one medication over the other. Also, check whether your insurance plan covers only one version of the drug.

To learn how the cost of spironolactone compares with its brand-name versions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about spironolactone and cost

Here are some common questions about spironolactone and their answers.  

Does spironolactone 100 mg cost more than spironolactone 25 mg?

Possibly. Spironolactone comes in several strengths, including 25 milligrams (mg) and 100 mg. The cost you will pay for your medication will depend on several factors, including your insurance coverage (if you have any), and the pharmacy you choose. If you have questions about how much spironolactone 25 mg or 100 mg will cost, talk with your pharmacist or your insurance provider.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep the costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active drugs as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor.

What to ask about spironolactone

This article provides cost information related to spironolactone. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for spironolactone.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Can I change the dose of my medication to make it more affordable?
• How does the cost of spironolactone compare to other medications that can be used to treat my condition?
• What are my options if I cannot afford my medication?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Spironolactone tablet. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/bd5ec154-b092-4c4d-8e72-ca2a2ef71a6d/spl-doc

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.