Spironolactone for heart failure

This leaflet is about the use of spironolactone for heart failure.

This leaflet has been written specifically about the use of this medicine in children. The information may differ from that provided by the manufacturer. Please read this leaflet carefully. Keep it somewhere safe so that you can read it again.

Your child should not take potassium supplements or eat foods that contain a lot of potassium.

Name of drug

Spironolactone
Brand name: Aldactone®

Why is it important for my child to take this medicine?

Spironolactone will help your child to make more urine (wee) and therefore lose unnecessary extra fluid from the body, this will reduce the work that the heart has to do. Medicines that help the body to lose water are called diuretics (sometimes referred to as ‘water tablets’). Spironolactone is a special
type of diuretic called a potassium-sparing diuretic because, unlike some other diuretics, it does not cause the body to lose potassium. Because of this, it is often used at the same time as these other diuretics.

What is spironolactone available as?

  • Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
  • Liquid medicine: 5, 10, 25, 50 or 100 mg in 5 mL

When should I give spironolactone?

Spironolactone is usually given twice each day, once in the morning and once in the evening. Ideally, these times are 10–12 hours apart, for example some time between 7 and 8 am, and between 7 and 8 pm. 

Give the medicine at about the same times each day so that this becomes part of your child’s daily routine, which will help you to remember.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of spironolactone (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

How much should I give?

Your doctor will work out the amount of spironolactone (the dose) that is right for your child. The dose will be shown on the medicine label.

It is important that you follow your doctor’s instructions about how much to give.

How should I give it?

Tablets should be swallowed with a glass of water, milk or juice. Your child should not chew the tablet. 

You can crush the tablet and mix it with a small amount of soft food such as yogurt, honey or jam. Make sure your child swallows it straight away, without chewing.

Liquid medicine: Measure out the right amount using an oral syringe or medicine spoon. You can get these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

When should the medicine start working?

It may take a few days for spironolactone to work properly. 

What if my child is sick (vomits)?

  • If your child is sick less than 30 minutes after having a dose of spironolactone, give them the same dose again.
  • If your child is sick more than 30 minutes after having a dose of spironolactone, you do not need to give them another dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

What if I forget to give it?

If you remember up to 4 hours after you should have given a dose, give your child the missed dose. For example, if you usually give a dose at about 7 am, you can give the missed dose at any time up to 11 am. If you remember after that time, do not give the missed dose. Wait until the next normal dose.

Never give a double dose of spironolactone.

What if I give too much?

It can be dangerous to give too much spironolactone.

If you think you may have given your child too much spironolactone, contact your doctor or NHS Direct (0845 4647 in England and Wales; 08454 24 24 24 in Scotland) or take your child to hospital. Take the medicine container or packet with you, even if it is empty. This will be useful to the doctor. Have the packet with you if you telephone for advice.

Are there any possible side-effects?

We use medicines to make our children better, but sometimes they have other effects that we don’t want (side-effects).

Side-effects you must do something about

If your child’s heart beat seems irregular (they may say that it feels fluttery), they have tingling feelings, paralysis (difficulty moving) or difficulty breathing, take them to the hospital straight away, as they may have too much potassium in their blood.

If your child’s skin or the whites of their eyes go yellow (jaundice), take them to the hospital straight away, as they may have a liver problem.

Other side-effects you need to know about
  • Girls may find that their periods become irregular. Contact your doctor if this happens.
  • Your child may feel dizzy. If this happens, they should sit or lie down for a short while after taking a dose of spironolactone.
  • Your child may feel generally unwell, feel sick or be sick (vomit) or get stomach cramps or have diarrhoea. They may also get cramps in the legs. These effects should wear off as your child’s body gets used to the medicine. If they are still a problem after a week, contact your doctor for advice.

Can other medicines be given at the same time as spironolactone?

  • You can give your child medicines that contain paracetamol or ibuprofen, unless your doctor has told you not to.
  • Spironolactone should not be taken with some medicines that you get on prescription. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about any other medicines your child is taking before starting spironolactone.
  • Check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving any other medicines to your child. This includes herbal or complementary medicines.

Is there anything else I need to know about spironolactone?

  • Your doctor may do blood tests to check the levels of potassium and other substances in your child’s blood.

Your child should not take potassium supplements or eat large amounts of foods that contain a lot of potassium (particularly coconut, bananas and baked potatoes). Ask your doctor or a dietician for advice and a diet sheet if necessary.

General advice about medicines

  • Try to give medicines at about the same times each day, to help you remember.
  • Only give this medicine to your child. Never give it to anyone else, even if their condition appears to be the same, as this could do harm.

If you think someone else may have taken the medicine by accident, contact your doctor straight away.

  • Make sure that you always have enough medicine. Order a new prescription at least 2 weeks before you will run out.

Liquid medicine comes in several different strengths. Make a note of which one you usually have, and check that you have been given the right one each time.

  • Make sure that the medicine you have at home has not reached the ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date on the packaging. Give old medicines to your pharmacist to dispose of.

Where I should keep this medicine?

  • Keep the medicine in a cupboard, away from heat and direct sunlight. It does not need to be kept in the fridge.
  • Make sure that children cannot see or reach the medicine.
  • Keep the medicine in the container it came in.

Who to contact for more information

Your child’s doctor or pharmacist will be able to give you more information about spironolactone and about other medicines used to treat heart failure.


You can also get useful information from:


Publication Date

8/12/2011

Copyright Disclaimer

Version 1.2, June 2010 (November 2011). © NPPG, RCPCH and WellChild 2011, all rights reserved.

The primary source for the information in this leaflet is the British National Formulary for Children. For details on any other sources used for this leaflet, please contact us through our website, www.medicinesforchildren.org.uk
We take great care to make sure that the information in this leaflet is correct and up-to-date. However, medicines can be used in different ways for different patients. It is important that you ask the advice of your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about something. This leaflet is about the use of these medicines in the UK, and may not apply to other countries. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH), the Neonatal and Paediatric Pharmacists Group (NPPG), WellChild and the contributors and editors cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of information, omissions of information, or any actions that may be taken as a consequence of reading this leaflet.