Most Medicare and insurance programs cover generic spironolactone, however certain drugstore coupons or cash pricing may be lower.
Is there a generic drug for spironolactone?
Aldactone, a brand name for spironolactone oral pills, is available. Spironolactone is also available as an oral liquid, although it is exclusively sold under the brand name Carospir. There isn’t a generic version of the oral liquid.
A generic drug is a carbon copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name drug. The generic is thought to be just as safe and effective as the brand-name medication. Generics are also less expensive than brand-name medications. Discuss the cost of Aldactone with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider to see how it compares to the cost of spironolactone.
If your doctor has prescribed spironolactone and you’d like to switch to Aldactone, talk to him or her. They might have a preference for one of the two options. You should also verify with your insurance provider because some policies only cover one or the other.
Who is a good candidate for spironolactone?
Graber, Dr. Female patients with hormonal acne that flares up before or after menstrual cycles may be good candidates for spironolactone, according to Emmy M. Graber, M.D., president of the Dermatology Institute of Boston, who spoke about the drug at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) annual meeting in San Diego on Friday.
Spironolactone is one of four hormonal medications suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology in its 2016 acne vulgaris treatment guidelines. Due to inconsistencies or low-quality patient-oriented data, the recommendation was given a B. In comparison, combination oral contraceptives received an A, flutamide received a C, and oral corticosteroids obtained a B.
Patients with persistent acne following a course of accutane, as well as women who have failed other medications, such as antibiotic treatment, may be suitable candidates for spironolactone, according to Dr. Graber. Women who use progesterone-only contraception may also benefit from spironolactone’s anti-androgen properties.
Spironolactone may work well for some individuals, but favorable outcomes can take many months to notice, and dose adjustments may be necessary, according to Dr. Graber.
“Dosing varies a lot from one patient to the next. “Some patients may return after three months with only minor improvement, indicating that they may require a higher dosage,” she said.
Spironolactone medication may be beneficial for patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or hirsutism. “Some PCOS patients have irregular cycles, but there are also women without PCOS who have irregular menstrual cycles who may be ideal candidates for spironolactone,” she noted.
Spironolactone is used to treat primary hyperaldosteronism, congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis with edema and/or ascites, nephrotic syndrome, essential hypertension, and hypokalemia in the United States. Although it is helpful in treating acne, there is insufficient evidence to justify its usage, according to Dr. Graber, who was part of the work group that developed the 2016 guidelines.
Diuresis, menstrual abnormalities, and breast discomfort are some of the most prevalent spironolactone side effects. The AAD guidelines suggest that because it is a pregnancy category C, concomitant use of a combined oral contraceptive is recommended to prevent conception and, in many cases, control menses.
Despite the fact that hyperkalemia is a rare and potentially fatal adverse effect of spironolactone, Dr. Graber believes that regular potassium monitoring is no longer necessary in young, otherwise healthy women taking the medicine.
In a 2015 research published in JAMA Dermatology, 974 healthy young women receiving spironolactone for acne had a hyperkalemia rate of 0.72 percent, compared to a 0.76 percent baseline rate among women not taking the drug. For healthy women on spironolactone for acne, researchers determined that routine potassium monitoring was unnecessary.
“Many people have adjusted their practices as a result of that research. Many people used to frequently check potassium levels, which was a huge hurdle to getting patients to take spironolactone, but now, many of us, including myself, don’t check potassium levels in spironolactone patients,” she added.
3Derm Systems, Allergan, Inc., Almirall, Castle Creek Pharmaceuticals, and Sol-Gel Technologies are among the companies with which Dr. Graber has disclosed.
“F015- Spironolactone in Acne Patients: Practical Guidelines,” Emmy M. Graber, M.D., Friday, February 16, 2018, 3 p.m. The annual meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology will be held in San Diego this year.
How do I get a prescription for spironolactone?
Most pharmacies carry spironolactone, which may be reimbursed by insurance. Check with your provider to see if your prescription is covered and how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket.
Whether you’re insured or not, we can prescribe Spironolactone as part of an acne treatment plan at Nurx. Nurx medical practitioners will prescribe Spironolactone if it is appropriate after considering your medical history.
What can I take instead of spironolactone?
Spironolactone can be replaced by amiloride or triamterene. They affect the renal tubule directly, preventing sodium reabsorption in exchange for potassium and hydrogen.
Do I need a prescription for spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a medication that requires a prescription. It is available as an oral tablet as well as an oral suspension. Spironolactone oral tablet comes in two forms: a brand-name medicine called Aldactone and a generic drug called Spironolactone.
Should I drink a lot of water with spironolactone?
While using spironolactone, make sure to drink plenty of water. Keep an eye out for indicators of dehydration, such as increased thirst.
What is spironolactone 25mg used for?
Spironolactone is used to treat hyperaldosteronism (a condition in which the body produces too much of the hormone aldosterone), low potassium levels, heart failure, and edema (fluid retention) caused by a variety of illnesses, including liver or kidney disease. It is also used to treat high blood pressure, either alone or in combination with other drugs. Spironolactone belongs to a group of drugs known as aldosterone receptor antagonists. It induces the kidneys to excrete excess water and salt from the body through the urine while reducing potassium loss.
High blood pressure is a frequent problem that, if left untreated, can harm the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, renal failure, vision loss, and other disorders can all be caused by damage to these organs. Making lifestyle changes, in addition to taking medication, can help you control your blood pressure. These modifications include eating a low-fat, low-salt diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising for at least 30 minutes most days, quitting smoking, and drinking alcohol in moderation.
What is the side effect of spironolactone?
It is possible to have drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or headache. Get up gently while rising from a seated or laying posture to avoid lightheadedness. Notify your doctor or pharmacist right once if any of these side effects persist or worsen.
Remember that your doctor provided this medication because he or she believes the benefit to you outweighs the risk of adverse effects. The majority of people who take this medicine do not have any substantial adverse effects.
If you experience any serious side effects, such as persistent nausea/vomiting, increased thirst, signs of kidney problems (such as a change in the amount of urine), mental/mood changes, unusual fatigue/weakness, muscle spasms, menstrual period changes, breast pain, breast enlargement (gynecomastia) in men, sexual function problems, signs of infection (such as persistent sore throat, fever), severe stomach/abdominal pain, vomiting that doesn’
This drug, especially in people with kidney difficulties, might cause elevated potassium levels. Extremely high potassium levels can be lethal if not handled. If you have any of the following significant side effects, contact your doctor straight away: Muscle weakness, slow/irregular heartbeat
This medicine seldom causes a severe allergic reaction. However, if you detect any symptoms of a major allergic response, such as a rash, itching/swelling (particularly of the face/tongue/throat), extreme dizziness, or problems breathing, seek medical treatment right once.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of potential adverse effects. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any other side effects not listed above.
For medical advice on side effects, contact your doctor. You can contact the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 or visiting www.fda.gov/medwatch to report side effects.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects if you live in Canada. You can contact Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345 to report side effects.
How long can you stay on spironolactone?
After around 3 months of treatment, most women notice that their acne has improved. Hair problems take longer to resolve, and treatment may be required for up to six months before results are visible.