I.Spironolactone Medication

Spironolactone belongs to the class of medications known as diuretics (water pills). It is used for the treatment of edema (fluid retention) that occurs with congestive heart failure and disorders of the liver and kidney. It is also used for the treatment of high blood pressure.

Spironolactone works by making the body lose excess water and salt. It is known as a potassium-sparing diuretic because it does not cause potassium to be lost from the body. Spironolactone is sometimes used to treat hypokalemia (too little potassium in the body) when other methods are not appropriate.

Diuretics: Information

Diuretics are also called "water pills." Diuretics are medicines that help reduce the amount of water in the body.

Diuretics are used for the following conditions:

• High blood pressure: Diuretics lower blood pressure, which substantially reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.
• Heart failure: Diuretics reduce the swelling and water build-up caused by heart failure.
• Kidney problems: Diuretics reduce water-retention.
• Liver problems: Diuretics reduce the amount of fluid build-up associated with cirrhosis (disease of the liver).
• Glaucoma: Diuretics reduce the pressure in the eye associated with this disease

Diuretics act on the kidneys to increase urine output. This reduces the amount of fluid in the bloodstream, which in turn lowers blood pressure.

There are several types of diuretics, also called water pills:

1. Loop diuretics , such as bumetanide (Bumex) and furosemide (Lasix), get their name from the loop-shaped part of the kidneys where they have their effect. Loop-acting diuretics cause the kidneys to increase the flow of urine. This helps reduce the amount of water in your body and lower your blood pressure. They tend to act faster than thiazides and have a great diuretic effect. It is important, therefore, to control the medication to avoid dehydration and excessive loss of potassium.
2. Thiazide diuretics include such commonly used diuretics as hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril, Esidrix), chlorothiazide (Diuril), and chlorthalidone (Hygroton). Thiazide diuretics are used to treat high blood pressure by blocking the sodium absorption from the kidney back into the blood. Thiazides are the only type of diuretic that dilates (widens) the blood vessels, which also helps to lower blood pressure.
3. Potassium-sparing diuretics prevent the loss of potassium, which is a problem with other types of diuretics. These block the action of aldosterone, so that more potassium is left in the blood, and more sodium and water are excreted in the urine. Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics are amiloride (Midamor) and triamterene (Dyrenium). Unlike the other diuretic medicines, these medicines do not cause your body to lose potassium.

In addition, some medicines contain combinations of two diuretics. The brands Dyazide and Maxzide, for example, contain the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide with the potassium-sparing diuretic triamterene.

Side effects of Diuretics

• Frequent urination: This may last for up to six hours after a dose. If you are taking two diuretic doses each day, take the second dose in the late afternoon so you can sleep through the night.
• Arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm)
• Extreme tiredness or weakness: These effects should decrease as your body adjusts to the medication. Call your doctor if these symptoms persist.
• Muscle cramps or weakness. Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if prescribed. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness: Try rising more slowly when getting up from a lying or sitting position.
• Blurred vision, confusion, headache, increased perspiration (sweating), restlessness. If these effects are persistent or severe, contact your doctor.
• Dehydration: Signs include dizziness, extreme thirst, and excessive dryness of the mouth, decreased urine output, dark-colored urine or constipation. If these symptoms occur, don't assume you need more fluids, call your doctor.
• Fever, sore throat, cough, ringing in the ears, unusual bleeding or bruising, rapid and excessive weight loss. Contact your doctor right away.
• Skin rash: Stop taking the medication and contact your doctor right away.
• Loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting or muscle cramps. Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if prescribed.
• Rarely, potassium-sparing diuretics like Spironolactone can cause breast enlargement in men and women, deepening of the voice, increased hair growth and irregular menstrual cycles.

Uses of Diuretics

Diuretics prevent, treat or improve symptoms in a variety of conditions, such as:

• High blood pressure
• Congestive heart failure
• Edema
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Certain kidney disorders, such as kidney stones
• Diabetes insipidus
• Female hirsutism
• Osteoporosis

Other uses of diuretics:
Diuretics may be used to treat certain other conditions.

• Loop diuretics:
• Hypercalcemia (too much calcium in the blood)
• Diagnostic aid for kidney disease
• Spironolactone:
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Hirsutism in women (excessive body and facial hair growth)
• Thiazide diuretics:
• Diabetes insipidus (water diabetes)
• Kidney stones (calcium containing)

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III. Useful links

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/

http://www.fda.gov/cder/ogd/

http://www.nih.gov/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

http://www.health.gov.on.ca/

National Library of Medicine

World Health Organization

http://www.mayoclinic.com/index.cfm

MedicineNet.com

Drugdigest.org

Healthsquare.com

http://www.tmc.edu/thi/diurmeds.html

http://my.webmd.com/content/pages/9/1675_57798.htm

http://www.umm.edu/careguides/hbp/hbp_diuretics.html

http://www.swedish.org/16716.cfm

Pharmacy sites

http://www.roche.com/home/company/com_hist.htm

http://www.healthdigest.org/Bactrim-DS(Oral)_2006_PRO.php

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1509

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1516

http://www.hsforum.com/stories/storyReader$1504

http://www.people.vcu.edu/~urdesai/atc.htm#Process%20of%20clotting

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