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Compare Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

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

Key takeaways

Spironolactone (Aldactone) and digoxin (Lanoxin) are both prescription medications, but they serve different purposes and belong to different drug classes. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, and swelling due to liver or kidney problems. It works by blocking aldosterone, helping your kidneys remove extra water and sodium without lowering potassium levels. On the other hand, digoxin is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AFib). It helps your heart pump more strongly and slows down electrical activity in the heart. While spironolactone can cause side effects like breast tenderness and lower sex drive, digoxin can lead to serious side effects if its levels in the blood become too high, such as vision changes and abnormal heart rhythms. Both medications require regular blood tests, but digoxin has a narrower therapeutic index, making it more dangerous if not monitored closely. Spironolactone is available in both tablet and oral suspension forms, while digoxin is available in liquid and tablet forms, as well as an injection for hospital use.

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  • Spironolactone (Aldactone)
    Digoxin (Lanoxin)
  • Spironolactone (Aldactone)
    Digoxin (Lanoxin)

  • Summary of Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

    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).

    Summary for Antiarrhythmic
    Prescription only

    Digoxin (Lanoxin) is an antiarrhythmic medication used to treat heart failure and atrial fibrillation (AFib) in adults and children. It's taken by mouth typically once or twice daily, but the specific dosage will depend on several things like your age, weight, and blood digoxin levels. Side effects include changes in vision, stomach upset, and dizziness. There's also a risk of digoxin toxicity, which means having too much of the medication in your body. This can lead to severe side effects such as vision changes and changes to the heart rhythm.

  • Indications of Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

    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
    Indications for
    •Heart failure in adults and children ages 5 years and older
    •Atrial fibrillation (AFib) in adults

  • Pros and Cons of Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

    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
    Pros and Const for Antiarrhythmic
    Pros
    •Can be used in young children to treat heart failure
    •Doesn't affect blood pressure much
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    Cons
    •Can cause serious and potentially life-threatening side effects if medication levels in the blood are too high
    •Need to get regular blood tests during treatment
    •Interacts with many medications

  • Common Side Effects of Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

    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
    Common Side Effects for
    •Changes in heart rate
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Diarrhea
    •Reduced appetite

  • Warnings of Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

    Common Side Effects for
    •High blood potassium levels
    •Low blood pressure and kidney problems
    •Abnormal electrolyte levels
    •Breast pain or swelling
    Common Side Effects for
    •Abnormal heart rhythm
    •Digoxin toxicity
    •Worsening heart conditions
    •Less efficacy in people with low calcium levels
    •Different responses in people with thyroid and metabolism problems

  • Prices with our coupons for Spironolactone vs. Digoxin

    Learn more about Spironolactone
    Learn more about Digoxin

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