If you’re looking at treatment options for certain cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) conditions, you may want to learn more about spironolactone (Aldactone, CaroSpir). Spironolactone is a generic prescription drug used to treat the following conditions in adults:

Spironolactone is also approved to treat hyperaldosteronism, which is not a heart and blood vessel disease. (The brand-name drug Carospir is not approved for this use.)

Spironolactone belongs to a group of drugs called potassium-sparing diuretics or aldosterone antagonists (blockers). It comes as a tablet and a liquid suspension, both of which you swallow.

Keep reading for details on how much spironolactone costs and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on spironolactone, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for spironolactone can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use. To find out how much you’ll pay for spironolactone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover spironolactone. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss spironolactone in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If spironolactone requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether spironolactone requires prior authorization.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about spironolactone and cost.

How much does spironolactone cost with insurance? Are there out-of-pocket costs?

Your cost for spironolactone will depend on your health insurance (if you have it), the pharmacy you use, and the condition the drug is being used to treat. You may be able to pay for it out of pocket if your insurance does not cover it because generic drugs are sometimes inexpensive.

How does spironolactone’s cost compare to the cost of eplerenone?

Eplerenone is also a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. The difference in cost between the two drugs will depend on factors such as your health insurance and your pharmacy.

Note: Like spironolactone, the generic drug eplerenone comes as a brand-name drug (Inspra). Since both spironolactone and eplerenone are generic drugs, they’ll likely cost less than their brand-name versions.

Is spironolactone used for acne? If so, what’s the drug’s cost for this use?

Yes, spironolactone is sometimes used off label for acne in adult females*. (With off-label use, a drug is prescribed for a condition it isn’t approved to treat.) When a drug is used off label, health insurance is less likely to cover the cost. You may need prior authorization if you use spironolactone for acne.

*In this article, we use the term “female” to refer to someone’s sex assigned at birth. For information about the difference between sex and gender, see this article.

Spironolactone is a generic drug. This means it contains an exact copy of the active ingredient in its brand-name version. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug and usually costs less.

Spironolactone comes in a brand-name tablet version called Aldactone. It also comes in an oral suspension with the brand-name drug CaroSpir. CaroSpir is not approved to treat hyperaldosteronism, but Aldactone is. To find out how the costs of Aldactone, CaroSpir, and spironolactone compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you’ve been prescribed spironolactone and you’re interested in using a brand-name drug instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take spironolactone long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of spironolactone if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of spironolactone. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for spironolactone. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of spironolactone or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

One brand name of spironolactone, CaroSpir, also has a copay program that you may be eligible for. Learn more about this program on the manufacturer’s website.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of spironolactone, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for spironolactone.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Is the generic spironolactone or the brand-name drug CaroSpir less expensive?
  • Are there medications I can take for heart failure that cost less than spironolactone?
  • If I can’t afford my spironolactone prescription, what are my other options?
  • Are there other drugs that are less expensive than spironolactone to treat my high blood pressure?
  • How do I know if I can use the CaroSpir copay program?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.