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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Adjunct for CHF (valvular disease) not controlled by furosemide+ACE inhibitor alone, ascites
DogExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Adjunct for CHF (valvular disease) not controlled by furosemide+ACE inhibitor alone, ascites — Authorized (EU, Prilactone); extra-label (US)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
CHF adjunct, hyperaldosteronism adjunct
CatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: CHF adjunct, hyperaldosteronism adjunct — Extra-label, controversial due to facial dermatitis risk
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens3
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects171
Severe facial dermatitis — ~1/3 of treated Maine Coon cats in one study
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, dehydration — Possible, generally mild/reversible in dogs
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
GI distress, CNS effects (lethargy, ataxia) — Occasional
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Prostatic atrophy — Reported
DogNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting59 reports
- Diarrhoea36 reports
- Elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN)33 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')32 reports
- Death by euthanasia29 reports
- Anorexia23 reports
- Elevated creatinine22 reports
- Decreased appetite21 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS21 reports
- Death20 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in Neurological)19 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)18 reports
Cat
- Lack of efficacy - NOS6 reports
- Death5 reports
- Vomiting5 reports
- Anorexia4 reports
- Death by euthanasia4 reports
- Abnormal ultrasound finding3 reports
- Cardiac enlargement3 reports
- Polyuria3 reports
- Anaemia NOS2 reports
- Ataxia2 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS2 reports
- Bronchopulmonary inflammation2 reports
Monitoring1
Serum potassium (especially when combined with ACE inhibitors), renal function, hydration
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Hyperkalemia, Addison's disease, anuria, acute renal failure/significant renal impairment; dehydration
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Hepatic disease (though used for ascites); gastric ulcer/GI disease risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Should never be substituted for furosemide in CHF — it's a weak diuretic on its own; its role is as an aldosterone-blocking adjunct, not a primary diuretic.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
In cats, weigh the real risk of severe facial dermatitis against uncertain efficacy benefit — many clinicians avoid it in cats for this reason.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Give with food to significantly improve oral bioavailability in dogs.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions6
ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril) — Synergistic for heart failure but ↑ hyperkalemia/renal injury risk — monitor
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Digoxin — ↑ digoxin half-life; may cause false-positive digoxin assay
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Potassium supplements/other potassium-sparing diuretics — ↑ hyperkalemia risk
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
NSAIDs, trimethoprim — ↑ potassium — use cautiously together
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Mitotane — May mute mitotane's adrenolytic effect
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics5
Bioavailability — ~50% fasted, 80–90% fed (dog)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — ~98% (spironolactone and active metabolite canrenone)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 1–2h (parent); ~20h (active metabolite canrenone)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Rapid hepatic to several metabolites
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — ~70% fecal, ~18% renal
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Crosses placenta; feminizes male rat fetuses. Human FDA category D. Canrenone appears in milk at low levels.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 1074–1076; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 738–740 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references7
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Evaluating spironolactone monotherapy against combined treatment with metformin in rat PCOS model.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Comprehensive characterization of the effect of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonism with spironolactone on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in healthy dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism Prevents Type 2 Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Brown Adipocyte Dysfunction.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Multiple retrospective analysis of survival and evaluation of cardiac death predictors in a population of dogs affected by degenerative mitral valve disease in ACVIM class C treated with different therapeutic protocols.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Evaluation of the diagnostic value of the renal resistive index as a marker of the subclinical development of cardiorenal syndrome in MMVD dogs.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.