Drug Uses
Aldactone is in a class of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics (water pill). It is used to reduce the amount of fluid in your body without causing the loss of potassium. Aldactone is used to treat edema (swelling) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Aldactone is also used to treat potassium deficiency and hyperaldosteronism (a hormonal disorder).

How Taken
Aldactone comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken once a day in the morning with breakfast or twice a day with breakfast and lunch. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take Aldactone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Aldactone controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take Aldactone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Aldactone without talking to your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Aldactone, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease; have liver disease; have diabetes mellitus; have high levels of potassium in your blood; or are taking a potassium supplement or an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor).You may not be able to take Aldactone, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Aldactone is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Aldactone is known to harm an unborn baby. Do not take Aldactone if you are pregnant. It is not known whether Aldactone passes into breast milk. Do not take Aldactone without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Possible Side Effects
Stop taking Aldactone and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any of the following serious side effects: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, weakness, numbness, or tingling (caused by high levels of potassium in your blood); or decreased urination. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Aldactone and talk to your doctor if you experience unusual headache or dizziness; nausea, diarrhea, or a decrease in appetite; dry mouth; bloating; muscle cramps; or lowering of the voice, excessive hair growth, or enlarged breasts. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage
Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medicine that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medicine.

Overdose
Acute over dosage of Aldactone may be manifested by drowsiness, mental confusion, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or diarrhea. Seek emergency medical attention.

More Information
Aldactone is also used in combination with other medicines to treat precocious puberty or myasthenia gravis. Aldactone also may be used to treat certain female patients with abnormal facial hair. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medicine for your condition.

Disclaimer
This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.       

Drug Uses
Norvasc is in a class of drugs called calcium channel blockers. Norvasc relaxes (widens) the blood vessels (veins and arteries), making it easier for the heart to pump and reducing its workload. Norvasc is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and to treat angina (chest pain). Norvasc may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

How Taken
Norvasc comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day. Norvasc may cause an upset stomach. Take Norvasc with food or milk. Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit 1 hour before or for 2 hours after taking Norvasc. Talk to your doctor before using salt substitutes containing potassium. If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, follow these directions carefully.

Warnings/Precautions
Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if you have liver disease; or another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease. You may not be able to take Norvasc, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Norvasc is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Norvasc will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Norvasc passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Possible Side Effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Norvasc and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: -an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives-unusually fast or slow heartbeat; -chest pain; -severe dizziness or fainting; -psychosis; -jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or -swelling of the legs or ankles. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Norvasc and talk to your doctor if you experience -fatigue or tiredness; -headache; -insomnia; -vivid or abnormal dreams; -flushing; -abdominal pain; -nausea, diarrhea, or constipation; or -increased or difficult urination. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Storage
Store bottles at controlled room temperature, 59? to 86?F (15? to 30?C) and dispense in tight, light-resistant containers.

Overdose
Over dosage might be expected to cause excessive peripheral vasodilatation with marked hypotension and possibly a reflex tachycardia. Symptoms of Norvasc overdose include dizziness, weakness, and chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, coma, slurred speech, and confusion.

More Information
Before taking Norvasc, tell your doctor if you have liver disease or another disease of the heart or blood vessels such as sick sinus syndrome, aortic stenosis, heart failure, low blood pressure, or coronary artery disease. If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Norvasc. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Disclaimer
This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.