Pharmacy
What are they for?
These medications have a mild diuretic effect (which means that they help you to get rid of excess fluid by passing more urine). They help to control the potassium levels in your blood and are often prescribed along with other diuretics (“water tablets”) to help improve your symptoms. They can help slow down the progression of heart failure.
| The Aldosterone Antagonist you are taking is (delete as appropriate): Spironolactone or Eplerenone |
| The dose you should take is: |
How do I take them?
Take them once a day in the morning.
What are the main side effects?
- Diarrhoea
- Reduced kidney function
Which side effects should I tell my doctor or nurse about?
- Passing less water than usual
- Tender and slightly enlarged breasts in men. If you get this side effect, report it to your doctor immediately
- Diarrhoea. If you get diarrhoea, please stop your Eplerenone or Spironolactone until this settles. Once settled, you can restart taking them at your usual dose
What is the down side?
In some people, these drugs can affect the kidney function.
Spironolactone can cause some men to develop tender and slightly enlarged breasts, testicular shrinkage and impotence. Eplerenone is largely free of these feminising side effects.
If you have diarrhoea, vomiting or an illness that stops you eating or drinking normally please stop your Eplerenone or Spironolactone until this settles. Once settled, you can restart taking it at your usual dose.
What checks do I need?
You will need blood tests every one to four weeks to begin with, and then once every three to six months. This will be arranged through your GP Practice.
Contact us
If you require further information please contact the heart failure team on:
Telephone: 01642 835865
Email: [email protected]
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]