What is spironolactone?

Spironolactone Oral Suspension contains 25 mg of the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone, 17-hydroxy-7α-mercapto-3-oxo-17α-pregn-4-ene-21- carboxylic acid γ-lactone acetate per 5 mL, which has the following structural formula: Spironolactone is practically insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, and freely soluble in benzene and in chloroform. Inactive ingredients include sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, citric acid anhydrous, sodium citrate dihydrate, simethicone emulsion, saccharin sodium, xanthan gum, Magnasweet 110, glycerin, banana flavor, and purified water. Chemical Structure

What kind of drug is spironolactone?

The FDA classifies spironolactone as an aldosterone antagonist. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.

Can you take spironolactone with other medicines?

It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run spironolactone against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.

What brand names is spironolactone sold under?

We track 2 spironolactone-containing products in the U.S.: Carospir and Spironolactone. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.

What forms does spironolactone come in?

Across the brands we track, spironolactone is currently marketed as suspension and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.

Is there a generic spironolactone?

Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic spironolactone product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Has spironolactone been recalled?

The FDA's Enforcement database lists 1 recall record whose product description mentions spironolactone. The most recent: Spironolactone Tablets (Aug 5, 2025). A recall applies to specific lots, not to the drug as a whole — check the record for the affected lot numbers.

Spironolactone: uses, dosing, side effects & brands

Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist sold in the U.S. under 2 brand and generic names, for ascites, edema and heart failure. Below: what the FDA label says, every product that contains it, what the pills look like, and its recall record.

By the pharmaranks editorial teamReviewed against the FDA (openFDA label, NDC Directory & Enforcement) sourcesHow we research

Key facts

Drug class: Aldosterone Antagonist
Treats: Ascites, Edema and Heart Failure
Available as: Suspension · Tablet
Sold as: 2 products — Carospir and Spironolactone
Prescription?: Prescription only
Generic available?: Yes
Typical price: about $3 for a 30-count supply

How spironolactone is dosed

From the FDA label for Carospir (application NDA209478). Other spironolactone products — different forms, different strengths — are dosed differently. Follow the label for the one you were prescribed.

Spironolactone oral suspension is not therapeutically equivalent to Aldactone ( 2.1 ) • Heart Failure: Initiate treatment at 20 mg once daily. ( 2.2 ) • Hypertension: Initiate treatment at 20 to 75 mg daily in either single or divided doses ( 2.3 ) • Edema associated with Hepatic Cirrhosis: Initiate therapy in a hospital setting and titrate slowly. The initial recommended daily dose is 75 mg in either single or divided doses ( 2.4 ) 2.1 General Considerations Spironolactone oral suspension is not therapeutically equivalent to Aldactone. Follow dosing instructions given here. In patients requiring a dose greater than 100 mg, use another formulation. Doses of the suspension greater than 100 mg may result in spironolactone concentrations higher than expected [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . Spironolactone oral suspension can be taken with or without food, but should be taken consistently with respect to food [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] . 2.2 Treatment of Heart Failure In patients with serum potassium ≤5.0 mEq/L and eGFR >50 mL/min/1.73m 2 , initiate treatment at 20 mg (4 mL) once daily. Patients who tolerate 20 mg (4 mL) once daily may have their dosage increased to 37.5 mg (7.5 mL) once daily as clinically indicated. Patients who develop hyperkalemia on 20 mg (4 mL) once daily may have their dosage reduced to 20 mg (4 mL) every other…

Spironolactone side effects

The following clinically significant adverse reactions are described elsewhere in the labeling: • Hyperkalemia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Hypotension and Worsening Renal Function [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] • Electrolyte and Metabolic Abnormalities [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.3 )] • Gynecomastia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Impaired neurological function/ coma in patients with hepatic impairment, cirrhosis and ascites [see Use in Specific Populations ( 8.7 )] The following adverse reactions associated with the use of spironolactone were identified in clinical trials or postmarketing reports. Because these reactions were reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to estimate their frequency, reliably, or to establish a causal relationship to drug exposure. Digestive: Gastric bleeding, ulceration, gastritis, diarrhea and cramping, nausea, vomiting. Reproductive: Gynecomastia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] , decreased libido, inability to achieve or maintain erection, irregular menses or amenorrhea, postmenopausal bleeding, breast and nipple pain. Hematologic: Leukopenia (including agranulocytosis), thrombocytopenia. Hypersensitivity: Fever, urticaria, maculopapular or erythematous cutaneous eruptions, anaphylactic reactions, vasculitis. Metabolism: Hyperkalemia, electrolyte disturbances…

Every spironolactone product we track (2)

Same active ingredient — different manufacturer, form, price and FDA recall record. That last one is what our independent score measures.

Spironolactone products
#	Drug	Rating	Type	Form	Generic?	Typical price
1	Carospir	Not yet rated	Prescription	Suspension	Generic	$3	View →
2	Spironolactone	Not yet rated	Prescription	Suspension	Generic	$3	View →

What spironolactone pills look like

Imprint codes, colour and shape from the FDA’s labelling data. Match the imprint on your pill — or search any imprint.

Spironolactone pill imprints
Imprint	Strength	Colour	Shape	Maker
MP;35	25 mg	white	round	—
MP;303	100 mg	white	oval	—
AN;515	100 mg	brown	round	—
852;O	25 mg	white	round	—
TL218	100 mg	brown	round	—
852;O	25 mg	white

Combination products containing spironolactone

A combination is a different drug — different dosing, different warnings. It is listed here so you can find it, not so you can substitute it.

Spironolactone recalls

From the FDA Enforcement database. A recall covers specific lots — not the drug as a whole.

Spironolactone Tablets
Presence of foreign substance: identified as aluminum.
SUN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES INC · Aug 5, 2025

Frequently asked questions

What is spironolactone?: Spironolactone Oral Suspension contains 25 mg of the aldosterone antagonist spironolactone, 17-hydroxy-7α-mercapto-3-oxo-17α-pregn-4-ene-21- carboxylic acid γ-lactone acetate per 5 mL, which has the following structural formula: Spironolactone is practically insoluble in water, soluble in alcohol, and freely soluble in benzene and in chloroform. Inactive ingredients include sorbic acid, potassium sorbate, citric acid anhydrous, sodium citrate dihydrate, simethicone emulsion, saccharin sodium, xanthan gum, Magnasweet 110, glycerin, banana flavor, and purified water. Chemical Structure
What kind of drug is spironolactone?: The FDA classifies spironolactone as an aldosterone antagonist. If you are checking whether it is safe to combine with something else, the class is what matters — two drugs from the same class usually should not be stacked.
Can you take spironolactone with other medicines?: It depends on the medicine. We check it against the FDA labels rather than guessing: our interaction checker searches each drug's own label for the other and quotes what it says, naming the section it came from. Run spironolactone against whatever else you take — and remember that a label not naming a drug is not the same as that combination being safe.
What brand names is spironolactone sold under?: We track 2 spironolactone-containing products in the U.S.: Carospir and Spironolactone. They are the same active ingredient; they differ in form, manufacturer, price and FDA recall record.
What forms does spironolactone come in?: Across the brands we track, spironolactone is currently marketed as suspension and tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory. Each form is dosed differently — follow the label for the exact product you were prescribed.
Is there a generic spironolactone?: Yes. Our catalog lists 1 generic spironolactone product alongside the brand versions. A generic has the same active ingredient and must meet the FDA's bioequivalence standard; it usually costs less. Ask your pharmacist which one your plan covers.

Sources: FDA openFDA drug label, National Drug Code Directory, and Enforcement (recall) database. This page reproduces public FDA data and is not medical advice. Dosing is set by your prescriber.