Xenalon
Xenalon - General Information
A potassium sparing diuretic that acts by antagonism of aldosterone in the distal renal tubules. It is used mainly in the treatment of refractory edema in patients with congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, or hepatic cirrhosis. Its effects on the endocrine system are utilized in the treatments of hirsutism and acne but they can lead to adverse effects. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p827)
Pharmacology of Xenalon
Xenalon is a synthetic 17-lactone steroid which is a renal competitive aldosterone antagonist in a class of pharmaceuticals called potassium-sparing diuretics. On its own, spironolactone is only a weak diuretic, but it can be combined with other diuretics. Due to its anti-androgen effect, it can also be used to treat hirsutism, and is a common component in hormone therapy for male-to-female transgendered people. Xenalon inhibits the effect of aldosterone by competing for intracellular aldosterone receptor in the distal tubule cells. This increases the secretion of water and sodium, while decreasing the excretion of potassium. Xenalon has a fairly slow onset of action, taking several days to develop and similarly the effect diminishes slowly.
Xenalon for patients
Patients who receive Aldactone should be advised to avoid potassium supplements and foods containing high levels of potassium including salt substitutes.
Xenalon Interactions
ACE inhibitors: Concomitant administration of ACE inhibitors with potassium-sparing diuretics has been associated with severe hyperkalemia.
Alcohol, barbiturates, or narcotics: Potentiation of orthostatic hypotension may occur.
Corticosteroids, ACTH: Intensified electrolyte depletion, particularly hypokalemia, may occur.
Pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine): Spironolactone reduces the vascular responsiveness to norepinephrine. Therefore, caution should be exercised in the management of patients subjected to regional or general anesthesia while they are being treated with Aldactone.
Skeletal muscle relaxants, nondepolarizing (eg, tubocurarine): Possible increased responsiveness to the muscle relaxant may result.
Lithium: Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics. Diuretic agents reduce the renal clearance of lithium and add a high risk of lithium toxicity.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): In some patients, the administration of an NSAID can reduce the diuretic, natriuretic, and antihypertensive effect of loop, potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics. Combination of NSAIDs, eg, indomethacin, with potassium-sparing diuretics has been associated with severe hyperkalemia. Therefore, when Aldactone and NSAIDs are used concomitantly, the patient should be observed closely to determine if the desired effect of the diuretic is obtained.
Digoxin: Spironolactone has been shown to increase the half-life of digoxin. This may result in increased serum digoxin levels and subsequent digitalis toxicity. It may be necessary to reduce the maintenance and digitalization doses when spironolactone is administered, and the patient should be carefully monitored to avoid over- or underdigitalization.
Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions
Several reports of possible interference with digoxin radioimmunoassays by spironolactone, or its metabolites, have appeared in the literature. Neither the extent nor the potential clinical significance of its interference (which may be assay-specific) has been fully established.
Xenalon Contraindications
Aldactone is contraindicated for patients with anuria, acute renal insufficiency, significant impairment of renal excretory function, or hyperkalemia.
Additional information about Xenalon
Xenalon Indication: Used primarily to treat low-renin hypertension, hypokalemia, and Conn's syndrome.
Mechanism Of Action: Xenalon is a specific pharmacologic antagonist of aldosterone, acting primarily through competitive binding of receptors at the aldosterone-dependent sodium-potassium exchange site in the distal convoluted renal tubule. Xenalon causes increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted, while potassium is retained. Xenalon acts both as a diuretic and as an antihypertensive drug by this mechanism. It may be given alone or with other diuretic agents which act more proximally in the renal tubule.
Drug Interactions: Not Available
Food Interactions: Avoid alcohol.
Avoid salt substitutes containing potassium.
Take with food.
Generic Name: Spironolactone
Synonyms: Not Available
Drug Category: Aldosterone Antagonists; Diuretics
Drug Type: Small Molecule; Approved
Other Brand Names containing Spironolactone: Abbolactone; Acelat; Aldace; Aldactazide; Aldactide; Aldactone; Aldactone A; Alderon; Aldopur; Almatol; Altex; Aquareduct; Deverol; Diatensec; Dira; Duraspiron; Espironolactona [INN-Spanish]; Euteberol; Lacalmin; Lacdene; Laractone; Melarcon; Nefurofan; Osyrol; SNL; Sagisal; Sincomen; Spiresis; Spiretic; Spiridon; Spiro-Tablinen; Spiroctan; Spiroctanie; Spiroderm; Spirolactone; Spirolakton; Spirolang; Spirolone; Spirone; Spironocompren; Spironolactone A; Spironolactone [BAN-INN-JAN]; Spironolactonum [INN-Latin]; Spironolattone [DCIT]; Sprioderm; Supra-puren; Suracton; Uractone; Urusonin; Verospiron; Verospirone; Verospirone Opianin; Xenalon;
Absorption: Fairly rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Food increases the bioavailability of unmetabolized spironolactone by almost 100%.
Toxicity (Overdose): The oral LD50 of spironolactone is greater than 1,000 mg/kg in mice, rats, and rabbits. Acute overdosage of spironolactone may be manifested by drowsiness, mental confusion, maculopapular or erythematous rash, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or diarrhea. Spironolactone has been shown to be a tumorigen in chronic toxicity studies in rats.
Protein Binding: Spironolactone and its metabolites are more than 90% bound to plasma proteins.
Biotransformation: Rapidly and extensively metabolized. The metabolic pathway of spironolactone is complex and can be divided into two main routes: those in which the sulfur moiety is retained and those in which the sulfur moiety is removed by dethioacetylation. Spironolactone is transformed to a reactive metabolite that can inactivate adrenal and testicular cytochrome P450 enzymes. It also has anti-androgenic activity.
Half Life: 10 minutes
Dosage Forms of Xenalon: Tablet Oral
Chemical IUPAC Name: S-[(7R,8R,9S,10R,13S,14S,17R)-10,13-dimethyl-3,5'-dioxospiro[2,6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16-decahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthrene-17,2'-oxolane]-7-yl] ethanethioate
Chemical Formula: C24H32O4S
Spironolactone on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spironolactone
Organisms Affected: Humans and other mammals
