Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) and spironolactone (Aldactone) are both diuretics, but they work differently and have different uses. Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic that helps you get rid of extra fluid by making you urinate more, which lowers blood pressure and reduces swelling. Spironolactone, on the other hand, is a potassium-sparing diuretic that also blocks aldosterone, a hormone that affects sodium and potassium levels. This means spironolactone helps you lose extra fluid without lowering your potassium levels. Hydrochlorothiazide is typically used for high blood pressure and swelling, while spironolactone is used for heart failure, high blood pressure, and swelling due to liver or kidney problems. Spironolactone can also treat conditions with too much aldosterone. Both medications can cause you to urinate more often, but spironolactone has additional side effects like breast tenderness and lower sex drive in males. Hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness and make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Both medications are available in generic forms, making them more affordable.

  • Hydrochlorothiazide
    Spironolactone (Aldactone)
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
    Spironolactone (Aldactone)

  • Summary of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

    Summary for Diuretic (water pill)
    Prescription only

    Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that helps to lower blood pressure and ease swelling from fluid (edema) caused by many health conditions, such as heart failure and kidney problems. Typically, you take hydrochlorothiazide by mouth once (sometimes twice) daily. Some common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide include dizziness and urinating more often.

    Summary for Potassium sparing diuretic
    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 of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

    Indications for
    •High blood pressure
    •Swelling in the body from fluids (edema), in addition to other medications
    Indications for
    •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 of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

    Pros and Const for Diuretic (water pill)
    Pros
    •Does a good job getting rid of extra fluids in your body
    •A first choice treatment option if you have high blood pressure and heart failure
    •Provider can adjust dose based on your response
    •Might protect against osteoporosis over time since it raises the body's level of calcium
    Cons
    •Makes you urinate more often
    •Must be used with caution in people with severe kidney or liver problems
    •Raises risk of gout attacks in people with poor kidney function or a history of gout
    •Can cause electrolytes and fluid levels to be out of balance, which can be dangerous
    Pros and Const for Potassium sparing diuretic
    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 of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness
    •Weakness
    •Skin more sensitive to sunlight
    •Temporary blurred vision
    •Headache
    •Low blood pressure
    •Electrolytes out of balance
    •Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
    Common Side Effects for
    •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 of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

    Common Side Effects for
    •Vision problems
    •Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
    •Waste build up in body
    •Higher blood sugars
    •Gout
    •Allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •High blood potassium levels
    •Low blood pressure and kidney problems
    •Abnormal electrolyte levels
    •Breast pain or swelling

  • Prices with our coupons for Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Spironolactone

    Learn more about Hydrochlorothiazide
    Learn more about Spironolactone

Compare other Edema and Heart Failure drugs

Catapres vs HydrochlorothiazideEnalapril vs HydrochlorothiazideFelodipine vs HydrochlorothiazideHydrochlorothiazide vs CoregHydrochlorothiazide vs DigoxinHydrochlorothiazide vs DutoprolHydrochlorothiazide vs EdecrinHydrochlorothiazide vs PrazosinHydrochlorothiazide vs SpironolactoneHydrochlorothiazide vs TenoreticHydrochlorothiazide vs ZiacLosartan vs HydrochlorothiazideNifedipine vs HydrochlorothiazidePropranolol vs HydrochlorothiazideZestoretic vs HydrochlorothiazideEnalapril vs EdecrinEnalapril vs SpironolactoneFelodipine vs PrazosinLasix vs EdecrinLasix vs SpironolactoneLisinopril vs EdecrinLisinopril vs PrazosinLisinopril vs SpironolactoneLopressor vs PrazosinNifedipine vs PrazosinPrazosin vs CatapresPropecia vs SpironolactoneSpironolactone vs DigoxinSpironolactone vs EdecrinZestoretic vs Prazosin
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.