Spironolactone and Alcohol

What is Spironolactone?

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. Spironolactone is a prescription drug that comes as an oral tablet and suspension. Spironolactone oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and a generic drug. Brand name: Aldactone. It is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine but reduces the loss of potassium from the body. Spironolactone and alcohol interactions can occur. Patients should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication.

What is Spironolactone Used for?

Spironolactone is used to treat certain patients with hyperaldosteronism (the body produces too much aldosterone, a naturally occurring hormone); low potassium levels; heart failure; and patients with edema (fluid retention) caused by various conditions, including liver or kidney disease. It is also used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a common condition and, when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other body parts. Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems.

In addition to taking medication, lifestyle changes will also help control your blood pressure. These changes include eating a diet low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

Why it’s used? This drug reduces swelling from liver disease and nephrotic syndrome (a kidney problem). It’s also used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, and hyperaldosteronism (excessive secretion of the hormone aldosterone). This drug works by blocking aldosterone activity. Aldosterone is a chemical made by the body that can cause water retention. This makes certain heart, kidney, and liver conditions worse.

Skip To:

• What is Spironolactone?
• What is Spironolactone Used for?
• Can You Drink Alcohol on Spironolactone?
• Spironolactone with Alcohol
• Spironolactone Alcohol Interaction
• Spironolactone Alcohol Side Effects
• Spironolactone Alcoholic Liver Disease
• How to Drink Alcohol Safely After Stopping Spironolactone?
• Alcoholism Treatment

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• Lithium Withdrawal
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• Alcoholism Treatment

Can You Drink Alcohol on Spironolactone?

Although some doctors believe drinking a small amount of alcohol while on spironolactone is safe for most people. In some people, the combination of Spironolactone and alcohol can drastically lower your blood pressure. This can make you dizzy when you stand or sit up from lying down. Be extra careful with alcohol when you first start taking spironolactone until you know how it will affect you. Regular alcohol consumption can also raise your blood pressure. If you do choose to drink, use caution and drink moderately.

Spironolactone with Alcohol

Spironolactone has a relatively short half-life, meaning the time required to reach half of its original concentration in your body. On average, the half-life of spironolactone is approximately 1.4 hours. This means that a standard dose of spironolactone is “out of your system” within 24 hours of the time you took your medication.

However, certain metabolites or spironolactone can last for significantly longer in your body, with some requiring 15 hours or longer to reach half of their initial concentration. These metabolites can take three to four days to exit your body completely. 

Because of this, waiting several days before drinking alcohol or increasing your alcohol consumption after stopping spironolactone is important.  How long after taking spironolactone can you safely consume alcohol? If you’ve only recently stopped using spironolactone, it’s generally best to wait three to four days before drinking alcohol. 

Spironolactone Alcohol Interaction

Spironolactone and ethanol may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption.

Tell your doctor if you develop these symptoms and they do not go away after a few days or become troublesome. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Spironolactone Alcohol Side Effects

 Mixing spironolactone and alcohol may cause side effects to occur that are more severe than usual. Alcohol and spironolactone can cause blood pressure levels to become lower, for instance. Taking these together may lead to very low blood pressure levels (hypotension), which could result in lightheadedness, headaches, fainting, and changes in heart rate.

Like all prescription medications, spironolactone can potentially cause adverse effects.

Common side effects of spironolactone include:

• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Headaches
• Restlessness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Changes in motor control
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Breast pain and breast swelling
• Changes to your menstrual cycle
• Post-menopausal vaginal bleeding
• Changes in your body hair growth
• Drowsiness, fatigue, and confusion

How to Drink Alcohol Safely After Stopping Spironolactone?

If you’re given the all-clear to start drinking after stopping spironolactone, it’s fine to get out and enjoy yourself. However, it’s best to take a few precautions to reduce your risk of experiencing any issues while drinking. Try to:

• Start with small quantities of alcohol. If you’ve been taking spironolactone for a long time and moderating your alcohol consumption during treatment, you may have a lower tolerance for alcohol than before.
  To avoid becoming drunk too quickly, try starting with small quantities of alcohol. Stick to one or two drinks for your first night out with friends to assess your alcohol tolerance, even if you normally feel comfortable drinking more than this.
• Take it slow and steady. Avoid drinking alcohol too quickly. To slow your alcohol consumption, try to make yourself have one non-alcohol drink, such as a glass of water, soda, or fruit juice, between each serving of alcohol.
• Stop drinking alcohol if you notice any issues. If you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or as if you’re going to faint, stop drinking alcohol right away. If you’re in a bar or club, switch to soda or another non-alcoholic drink until you feel more comfortable.
• If you have an alcohol use disorder, tell your healthcare provider. Make sure to let your healthcare provider know if you’re alcohol dependent before using spironolactone, as this may affect your ability to use this medication safely. 

Medication Assisted Treatments (MAT)

Medication-Assisted Treatments (MAT) for substance use and mental health disorders are commonly used in conjunction with one another. This includes the use of medications and other medical procedures. During your rehab, the staff from your treatment facility will help you identify what caused your addiction and teach you skills that will help you change your behavior patterns and challenge the negative thoughts that led to your addiction. Sometimes, the pressures and problems in your life lead you to rely on substances to help you forget about them momentarily.

Please, do not try to detox on your own. The detox process can be painful and difficult without medical assistance. However, getting through the detox process is crucial for continued treatment. We Level Up provide proper care with round-the-clock medical staff to assist your recovery through our opioid addiction treatment program medically. So, reclaim your life, and call us to speak with one of our treatment specialists. Our counselors know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions.

Alcohol Rehab Near Me

Spironolactone and alcohol addiction is a condition that can cause major health problems, such as an overdose. We Level Up NJ rehab treatment & detox center can provide you, or someone you love, the tools to recover from this with professional and safe treatment. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about this condition and clarify issues like Spironolactone and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.