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Before taking spironolactone with furosemide
Before taking spironolactone with furosemide make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you have liver or kidney problems.
- If you have prostate problems or have problems passing urine.
- If you have gout, diabetes, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- If you have low blood pressure or if you are dehydrated.
- If you know you have low or high levels of electrolytes (such as sodium, potassium and calcium) in your blood.
- If you have Addison's disease (a disorder of the adrenal glands).
- If you have porphyria (a blood disorder).
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine especially if you have had a reaction to a sulphonamide medicine used for infections.
How to take spironolactone with furosemide
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
- Take spironolactone with furosemide exactly as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole with a drink of water.
- Try to take these capsules at the same time each day to avoid missing any doses. They will make you want to go to the toilet more often so your doctor will usually advise you to take your dose in the morning or at lunchtime.
- If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is after 6 pm in the evening, skip the missed dose and continue at the usual time the next day. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Diuretics help you to lose water. On occasions you may lose too much and become dehydrated, leaving you feeling thirsty and your skin looking and feeling dry. Let your doctor know if this happens.
- If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking these capsules.
- Keep your regular doctor's appointment so your progress can be monitored.
- Do not stop taking this medicine without speaking with your doctor first, even if you feel well.
- If you have diabetes you may be asked to check your blood sugar more regularly as these capsules can affect your levels.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with your other medicines.
Can spironolactone with furosemide cause problems?
Along with their useful effects, all medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Feeling or being sick | Eat little and often. Stick to simple foods |
| Dizziness (particularly when getting up from a lying or sitting position) | Getting up slowly should help. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit for a few minutes before standing. If this continues, speak with your doctor |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable painkiller. If the headache continues, speak with your doctor |
| Tiredness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which would be dangerous if you were not fully alert |
| Sexual problems, enlargement of the breasts (in both men and women), irregular menstrual periods, confusion and skin rash | If any of these become troublesome, speak with your doctor |
| Voice changes | Let your doctor know if you are a singer or if you rely on your voice to make a living |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store spironolactone with furosemide
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Lasilactone®, Sanofi-Aventis, electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated April 2010, accessed July 2010.
- British National Formulary; 59th Edition (March 2010) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London (link to current BNF)