aldactone
2 interactions related to aldactone
spironolactone + potassium
Spironolactone is a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that blocks aldosterone-driven potassium excretion in the collecting duct, causing the kidneys to retain potassium. Adding a potassium supplement, salt substitute, or potassium-rich diet on top of spironolactone can produce fatal hyperkalemia, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes, or who are also on an ACE inhibitor or ARB.
spironolactone + licorice
Glycyrrhizin in licorice blocks 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 and activates mineralocorticoid receptors - the same receptors that spironolactone is designed to block. The two work in opposite directions: licorice raises blood pressure and lowers potassium while spironolactone lowers blood pressure and raises potassium, so the herb partially undoes the drug's intended therapeutic effect.