Spironolactone, available in generic form and as the brand Aldactone, is a prescription diuretic prescribed to treat high blood pressure and several other health disorders. L-arginine, in contrast, is an amino acid available as an over-the-counter supplement. Some effects these substances share may make it inadvisable to combine them. Consult your doctor before taking L-arginine if you also take Aldactone.
Diuretics
Diuretics cause the kidneys to eliminate excessive water and sodium through urine. This reduces blood pressure in some people, and diuretics also may be prescribed to enhance the effects of other medicine that lowers blood pressure. In addition, diuretics are effective for decreasing fluid retention in patients with conditions such as heart or liver disease. Most diuretics remove potassium from the body along with sodium, but Aldactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic and reduces the loss of potassium.
L-Arginine
Adult bodies usually produce enough L-arginine for good health but children and people with certain health conditions need extra. You can obtain this amino acid through eating protein-rich foods such as meat and dairy products. As a supplement, L-arginine has some similar medicinal uses as Aldactone, although you shouldn't use it in place of conventional medicine for serious health conditions. Fluid retention is a common problem in patients with congestive heart failure, for instance, and adding L-arginine to conventional therapy appears to help resolve this problem, according to MedlinePlus. In addition, research indicates that taking L-arginine has slight blood pressure-lowering effects.
Hyperkalemia
Taking L-arginine with a potassium-sparing diuretic may cause high potassium levels, a condition known as hyperkalemia, warns MayoClinic.com. Hyperkalemia can cause dangerous heart arrhythmias. L-arginine use on its own has been connected with hyperkalemia, and patients taking Aldactone typically must avoid supplements and salt substitutes that contain potassium. They may even need to restrict their intake of potassium-rich food.
Low Blood Pressure
An additional concern is that Aldactone lowers blood pressure and L-arginine may do so as well. This could cause your blood pressure to drop too low, with symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness and fainting. This is a potential problem of combining L-arginine with any other medications that reduce blood pressure, according to MedlinePlus.
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