spironolactone
5 interactions related to spironolactone
spironolactone + potassium
Spironolactone makes your body hold on to potassium instead of flushing it out. Adding a potassium supplement, salt substitute, or potassium-loaded diet on top of that can push blood potassium to a dangerous level.
salt substitute + spironolactone
Most salt substitutes replace ordinary table salt with potassium chloride, so they act as concentrated potassium supplements. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that reduces how much potassium the kidneys excrete. Using the two together can drive potassium high enough to cause dangerous, sometimes life-threatening heart rhythm problems (hyperkalemia).
bananas + spironolactone
Bananas are a well-known high-potassium food, and spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that makes the kidneys hold onto potassium. Eating large amounts of bananas (and other high-potassium foods) while taking spironolactone can push blood potassium too high (hyperkalemia), which in serious cases can disturb the heart's rhythm.
coconut water + spironolactone
Coconut water is naturally high in potassium and is often consumed in large volumes for hydration. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that reduces the kidneys' ability to excrete potassium. Regular high-volume coconut water consumption alongside spironolactone can raise blood potassium into a dangerous range (hyperkalemia), and at least one published case report links excessive coconut water plus spironolactone to life-threatening hyperkalemia.
spironolactone + licorice
Glycyrrhizin in licorice is converted to glycyrrhetinic acid, which inhibits the kidney enzyme 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2. This lets cortisol stimulate the mineralocorticoid receptor - the same receptor spironolactone is designed to block. The two pull in opposite directions: licorice tends to raise blood pressure and lower potassium, while spironolactone lowers blood pressure and raises potassium, so the herb can partially blunt the drug's intended effect.