Aldactone (spironolactone) is a brand-name drug that’s prescribed for high blood pressure and other conditions. It comes as an oral tablet that can be taken multiple times per day. The dosage can vary depending on your condition.

Aldactone is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat the following conditions in certain adults:

Aldactone belongs to a drug class called potassium-sparing diuretics. Aldactone is available in a generic version.

Keep reading for specific information about the dosage of Aldactone, including its strengths and how to take the medication. For a comprehensive look at Aldactone, see this article.

Note: This article describes typical dosages for Aldactone provided by the drug’s manufacturer. When taking Aldactone, always follow the dosage prescribed by your doctor.

Read below for details about Aldactone’s dosages for its approved uses.

Aldactone form

Aldactone comes as an oral tablet.

Aldactone strengths

Aldactone comes in three strengths:

  • 25 milligrams (mg)
  • 50 mg
  • 100 mg

Typical dosages

Typically, your doctor will start by prescribing you a low dosage. Then they’ll adjust it over time to reach the amount that’s right for you. Your doctor will ultimately prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.

The following information describes dosages that are commonly prescribed or recommended in adults. However, be sure to take the dosage your doctor prescribes for you. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs. In some cases, doctors may adjust your dosage from those shown below.

Dosage for heart failure

Doctors may prescribe Aldactone to treat heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The medication is typically taken with other drugs.

If your doctor prescribes Aldactone for heart failure, your starting dose will likely be 25 mg. Typically, you’ll take this once per day. If this dose works well for you, your doctor may recommend a dosage increase, up to 50 mg once per day. This is the maximum dosage of Aldactone that’s recommended for heart failure.

If you develop hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels) while taking Aldactone, your doctor may reduce your dosage to 25 mg once every other day.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for high blood pressure

Aldactone is approved to treat high blood pressure. For this condition, Aldactone is used along with other blood pressure medications. In this case, the recommended starting dosage of Aldactone ranges from 25 to 100 mg per day. You’ll take this as one single dose or divide it into multiple doses. The maximum dosage of Aldactone that’s recommended for high blood pressure is 100 mg per day.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage for high blood pressure.

Dosage for fluid retention

Aldactone is prescribed to treat fluid retention (buildup) in adults with liver cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome. For this purpose, the starting dosage is typically 100 mg per day. You’ll take this as one single dose or the dose may be split into multiple doses throughout the day.

The recommended dosage may range from 25 to 200 mg per day. This dose can be taken as one single dose or divided into multiple doses throughout the day.

If you’re taking Aldactone for edema caused by cirrhosis, you’ll likely start taking the drug in the hospital. Your doctor will monitor you for any side effects as they increase your dose slowly.

For more information about your specific dosage, talk with your doctor.

Dosage for primary hyperaldosteronism

Doctors may prescribe Aldactone in certain situations for primary hyperaldosteronism. In this case, the dosage will depend on whether your doctor prescribes Aldactone short term or long term.

If Aldactone is taken for short-term use before surgery, the recommended dosage is 100 to 400 mg per day.

If Aldactone is taken long term, your doctor will prescribe the lowest dose that will manage your symptoms.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about your dosage.

How to take Aldactone

Aldactone comes as an oral tablet that you swallow whole. The drugmaker hasn’t specified whether Aldactone tablets can be cut, crushed, chewed, or placed in water. You may take your dose with or without food. But be sure to take the drug consistently, either with food or without it.

It may be helpful to take Aldactone around the same time of day. This helps maintain a steady level of the drug in your body so Aldactone can work effectively.

If you have trouble swallowing tablets, see this article for tips on how to take this form of medication. You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Long-term treatment

In most cases, Aldactone is meant to be taken as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that Aldactone is safe and effective for you, you’ll likely take it long term. However, Aldactone may be taken short term for symptoms of primary hyperaldosteronism before surgery.

Before you start taking Aldactone, your doctor will discuss your treatment plan with you.

ACCESSIBLE DRUG LABELS AND CONTAINERS

Some pharmacies offer labels with large print, braille, or a code you scan with a smartphone to convert text to speech. If your local pharmacy doesn’t have these options, your doctor or pharmacist might be able to recommend a pharmacy that does.

If you’re having trouble opening medication bottles, ask your pharmacist about putting Aldactone in an easy-open container. They also may recommend tools that can make it easier to open bottles.

Below are some frequently asked questions about Aldactone.

What’s the recommended maximum dose of Aldactone? Is 200 mg too much?

For heart failure, the maximum dosage of Aldactone that’s recommended is 50 mg per day. The maximum dosage for high blood pressure is 100 mg per day. For these purposes, 200 mg of Aldactone may increase your risk of side effects from the drug.

For other purposes, your doctor will determine the right dosage for you. The typical dosage for edema ranges from 25 to 200 mg per day. For short-term use before surgery for primary hyperaldosteronism, the recommended dosage ranges from 100 to 400 mg per day.

Typically, doctors prescribe a low dosage to start treatment. In some cases, doctors may increase the drug’s dosage. No additional benefits are expected with doses larger than those listed above. For details about Aldactone’s dosages, see the “Aldactone dosage” section above.

If you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Aldactone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. If it seems like you need a higher dosage, ask your doctor whether a dosage increase is right for you. Do not increase your dosage unless your doctor recommends doing so.

Can Aldactone be used for acne? If so, what is the dosage for acne?

Aldactone may be prescribed off-label for acne. With off-label use, doctors prescribe a drug for a purpose other than what the FDA approved it for.

Because Aldactone isn’t approved for acne, the drug manufacturer doesn’t provide a recommended dosage for this use. Your doctor will determine the dosage that’s right for you.

If you’d like to learn more about taking Aldactone for acne, talk with your doctor.

It’s important that you do not take more Aldactone than your doctor prescribes. For some medications, taking more than the recommended amount may lead to harmful effects or overdose.

Effects of an overdose

Overdose effects of Aldactone can include:

If you take more than the recommended amount of Aldactone

Call your doctor right away if you believe you’ve taken too much Aldactone. Another option is to call America’s Poison Centers at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. If you have severe symptoms, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.