Which food should a client taking spironolactone (Aldactone) avoid?

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means it helps the body retain potassium while promoting the excretion of sodium and water. Patients on this medication must be mindful of their potassium intake as excessive potassium can lead to hyperkalemia, a condition characterized by elevated potassium levels in the blood that can be dangerous and lead to cardiac complications.

Citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, are relatively low in potassium compared to other options. However, this is not the primary concern when considering diet for someone on spironolactone; instead, foods high in potassium should be limited.

Potatoes, tomatoes, and dark leafy greens are all examples of foods that typically have high potassium content. For instance, a medium potato can have around 620 mg of potassium, a cup of cooked spinach has about 840 mg, and a medium tomato contains approximately 370 mg.

Therefore, clients taking spironolactone should particularly avoid foods like potatoes, tomatoes, and dark leafy greens in order to manage their potassium levels effectively. The inclusion of citrus fruits in the diet is generally considered safer for these patients, making the selection of citrus fruits as the food to avoid in this context less appropriate.