CLINICAL USE

Diuretic, aldosterone antagonist

DOSE IN NORMAL RENAL FUNCTION

25–400 mg daily

PHARMACOKINETICS

  • Molecular weight                           :416.6
  • %Protein binding                           :90
  • %Excreted unchanged in urine     : 0 (47–57 as metabolites)
  • Volume of distribution (L/kg)       :No data
  • half-life – normal/ESRD (hrs)      :1.3–1.4/Unchanged

    DOSE IN RENAL IMPAIRMENT

    GFR (mL/MIN)

  • 20 to 50     : 50% of normal dose
  • 10 to 20     : 50% of normal dose
  • <10           : Use with caution

    DOSE IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING RENAL REPLACEMENT THERAPIES

  • CAPD                :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HD                     :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • HDF/high flux   :Unknown dialysability. Dose as in GFR <10 mL/min
  • CAV/VVHD      :Not dialysed. Dose as in GFR 10 to 20 mL/min

    IMPORTANT DRUG INTERACTIONS

    Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugsACE inhibitors or angiotensin-II antagonists: enhanced hypotensive effect; risk of severe hyperkalaemia

  • Antibacterials: avoid concomitant use with lymecycline
  • Antidepressants: increased risk of postural hypotension with tricyclics
    Antihypertensives: enhanced hypotensive effect; increased risk of first dose hypotensive effect with post-synaptic alpha-blockersCardiac glycosides: increased digoxin concentration; possibly increased digitoxin concentration
  • Ciclosporin: increased risk of hyperkalaemia
  • Lithium: reduced lithium excretion NSAIDs: increased risk of hyperkalaemia (especially with indometacin); increased risk of nephrotoxicity; diuretic effect of spironolactone antagonised by aspirin
  • Potassium salts: increased risk of hyperkalaemia
  • Tacrolimus: increased risk of hyperkalaemia

    ADMINISTRATION

    Reconstition

    Route

    Oral

    Rate of Administration

    Comments

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Renal patients are at an increased risk of hyperkalaemia and therefore spironolactone should be used with caution. It has active metabolites with long half-livesSmall studies have shown that doses of 25 mg of spironolactone 3 times a week can be safely used in haemodialysis patients although unknown whether that dose would be therapeutic – potassium levels should be monitored closely. Another small study used 25 mg daily but the potassium was monitored 3 times a week.

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