CaroSpir

CaroSpir is a prescription medication used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, and edema. 

This medication belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics ("water pills"). Specifically, it is a "potassium-sparing" diuretic known as an "aldosterone antagonist". By blocking aldosterone, CaroSpir increases the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood, while still keeping potassium in the body. 

This medication is available as an oral suspension and is usually taken once a day or in divided doses. 

The most common side effects of CaroSpir is breast enlargement in men, called gynecomastia. 

CaroSpir is a prescription medication used to: 

• to treat NYHA Class III-IV heart failure
• with other medications to treat high blood pressure
• manage edema in adults with cirrhosis (when edema did not respond to fluid and salt restrictions) 

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects may occur. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

• high potassium levels
• changes in electrolytes such as salt and potassium
• enlargement of breasts in men called gynecomastia

This is not a complete list of CaroSpir side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• Medications that increase serum potassium
• Lithium
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Digoxin
• Cholestyramine
• Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA)

This is not a complete list of CaroSpir drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects can occur including:

• high potassium levels. The risk for high potassium levels increases if the kidneys do not work as well as they should, if taken with potassium supplements, potassium-containing salt substitutes, or medications that increase potassium. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. In addition, avoid taking potassium supplements and foods containing high levels of potassium, including salt substitutes. 
• electrolyte imbalance. This medication may affect electrolytes including salt and potassium. Your doctor will check these levels using a blood test. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following signs: 
  • dry mouth
  • thirst
  • weakness
  • lack of energy
  • drowsiness
  • restlessness
  • muscle pains or cramps
  • muscle fatigue
  • low blood pressure
  • decreased urination
  • fast heart rate
  • nausea and vomiting
• low blood pressure and worsening kidney function. Your healthcare provider will monitor your vitals and kidney function. 
• breast enlargement in men. This is called gynecomastia. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice enlargement of the breasts. Gynecomastia is usually reversible.

Do not take CaroSpir if you:

• are allergic to CaroSpir or any of its ingredients 
• have high potassium levels
• have Addison’s disease
• also take the medication, eplerenone

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of CaroSpir, potassium supplements and foods containing high levels of potassium, including salt substitutes, should be avoided.

Before taking CaroSpir, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to CaroSpir or to any of its ingredients
• have liver disease
• have kidney disease
• have Addison’s disease
• take the medication, eplerenone
• have electrolyte imbalances
• use salt substitutes, especially potassium-containing salt substitutes
• are allergic to any medications
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Based on how this medication works and based on animal data, CaroSpir may pose risks to the male fetus. Because of this risk, it is pregnant women not take CaroSpir. 

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

The active metabolite of CaroSpir has been detected, in low amounts, in human breast milk. Long term effects on a breastfed infant are unknown. Your healthcare provider will weigh the health benefits of breastfeeding against the mother's need for CaroSpir and against any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from CaroSpir. 

Take CaroSpir exactly as prescribed.

• This medication is available as an oral suspension and is usually taken once a day or in divided doses. 
• CaroSpir can be taken with or without food but has to be taken the same each time. 
• CaroSpir is not the same as the tablet formulations of spironolactone so should not be substituted for each other. 

Take CaroSpir exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The dose your doctor recommends will be based on:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

CaroSpir cannot be substituted for other spironolactone products like Aldactone.  

Heart Failure: The recommended starting treatment is 20 mg once daily.

Hypertension: The recommended starting dose is between 20 to 75 mg daily and can be given in either single or divided doses

Edema associated with Hepatic Cirrhosis: The recommended starting dose is 75 mg and can be given in either single or divided doses

If you take too much CaroSpir call your doctor or Poison Contol Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at 20°to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.