Amiloride vs. Spironolactone for Heart Failure and Hypertension: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Amiloride

Spironolactone

(Aldactone)

Summary for Amiloride

Prescription only

Amiloride is a potassium-sparing diuretics used to prevent low potassium levels in the blood when taken with certain medications that treat high blood pressure or heart failure. It comes in tablet form, taken by mouth once per day with food. Side effects include headache, nausea, and loss of appetite. While it's available as a generic, the brand name Midamor is no longer on the market.

Indications for Amiloride

To prevent low potassium levels in the blood when used with certain diuretic medications that treat high blood pressure and heart failure

Pros and Cons for Amiloride

Pros

Helps prevent low potassium levels in people taking certain diuretics (water-pills)
Taken by mouth once per day

Cons

Not a first-choice option for treating high blood pressure if used alone
Need regular blood tests to check potassium levels
Not the safest for people with kidney problems

Common Side Effects for Amiloride

Headache (up to 8%)
Nausea (up to 8%)
Loss of appetite (up to 8%)
Vomiting (up to 8%)
Diarrhea (up to 8%)

Warnings for Amiloride

High potassium levels

Summary for Spironolactone

Prescription only

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a type of potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill). It's used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, and swelling from kidney or liver problems in adults. Because it blocks aldosterone (a hormone that affects sodium and potassium levels), spironolactone (Aldactone) can also treat conditions where there's too much aldosterone. Spironolactone (Aldactone) is taken by mouth, generally once or a few times a day, depending on your condition. Some common side effects of this medication include breast tenderness (males and females) and loss of libido (in males).

Indications for Spironolactone

Heart failure
High blood pressure
Swelling due to liver damage (cirrhosis)
Swelling due to nephrotic syndrome (a rare kidney condition) - tablets only
Primary aldosteronism (a hormone imbalance) - tablets only

Pros and Cons for Spironolactone

Pros

Taken by mouth
Oral suspension available for adults who've difficulty swallowing tablets
Lower-cost generics available

Cons

Can make you urinate more often
Need to get blood tests regularly to check your electrolytes and kidney health
Can cause breast growth and lower sex drive in males

Common Side Effects for Spironolactone

Dizziness
Headache
Sleepiness
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Enlargement of male breasts
Breast pain
Lower sex drive
Sexual dysfunction
Irregular or lack of menstrual periods
Leg cramps
Higher potassium levels
Lower sodium levels

Warnings for Spironolactone

High blood potassium levels
Low blood pressure and kidney problems
Abnormal electrolyte levels
Breast pain or swelling

Prices with our coupons for Amiloride vs. Spironolactone

Amiloride90 tablets / 5mg

$16.66$56.43

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Spironolactone30 tablets / 25mg

$9.73$10.70

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Amiloride vs. Spironolactone

Amiloride

Spironolactone

Summary for Amiloride

Indications for Amiloride

Pros and Cons for Amiloride

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Amiloride

Warnings for Amiloride

Summary for Spironolactone

Indications for Spironolactone

Pros and Cons for Spironolactone

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Spironolactone

Warnings for Spironolactone

Prices with our coupons for Amiloride vs. Spironolactone

Browse medications by letter

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Amiloride

Spironolactone

Summary for Amiloride

Indications for Amiloride

Pros and Cons for Amiloride

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Amiloride

Warnings for Amiloride

Summary for Spironolactone

Indications for Spironolactone

Pros and Cons for Spironolactone

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Spironolactone

Warnings for Spironolactone