Use and side-effect profile of spironolactone in a private cardiologist's practice.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of spironolactone on the treatment of cardiovascular diseases are well known, but translating these benefits into private practice can be difficult because of the drug's side-effect profile. HYPOTHESIS: When patients are monitored over the long term, spironolactone can be used safely with an acceptable side-effect profile.
METHODS: We retrospectively studied 762 patients taking spironolactone over a 7-year period in a cardiologist's referral-based practice and monitored them for side effects from the medication.
RESULTS: Data were available on 762 patients. The average age of our patients when started on the medication was 67.2 +/- 0.5 years. Of these, 585 (76.8%) patients were treated for heart failure and 155 (20.3%) for hypertension. An average dose of 38.4 +/- 1.4 mg of spironolactone was used for treatment of all conditions. Of the 762 patients, 81 (10.6%) experienced side effects while using the medication; 40 had hyperkalemia (5.3%), 14 had gynecomastia (1.8%), and 15 had gastritis (2%). Of the patients with hyperkalemia, average creatinine clearance decreased from 64.6 +/- 5.8 ml/min at therapy start to 50.3 +/- 5.5 ml/min at the time of onset of side effects.
CONCLUSION: Spironolactone can be used with an acceptable side-effect profile as long as patients are monitored long-term while receiving the medication.