Yes, Aldactone is a diuretic (water pill), but the medication isn’t like other diuretics.
Specifically, it belongs to a class of medications called aldosterone antagonists, or potassium-sparing diuretics. (A medication class is a group of medications that work together in a similar way.)
Diuretics work by causing your body to get rid of sodium and water. During this process, your body also gets rid of potassium. In some cases, the loss of potassium can cause the level of potassium in your blood to become low. This is known as hypokalemia.
Aldactone works in a different area in the kidneys than other diuretics commonly used to lower blood pressure. Aldactone still causes your body to get rid of sodium and water, but it helps your body hold on to potassium.
Aldactone does lower blood pressure as well. But its effect on blood pressure isn’t very strong, so Aldactone is meant to be used with other drugs for lowering blood pressure. (To learn more, see the “Aldactone use with other drugs” section below.)
If you have questions about Aldactone or other diuretics, talk with your doctor.