A comparison of the use of Aldactone and Aldactone A in the treatment of hepatic ascites.

In eight patients with cirrhosis and stable ascites controlled on chlorothiazide and spironolactone, a small particle preparation of spironolactone (Aldactone A) was as effective, at one quarter the dosage, as conventional spironolactone (Aldactone). Plasma spironolactone metabolite levels and urinary excretion of spironolactone metabolite were equivalent with both preparations. The variable dosage requirement of spironolactone in patients with cirrhosis and ascites is discussed in relation to these observations.