Use of low dose amount of aldosterone antagonist for treatment of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Use of low dosages of an aldosterone receptor antagonist, such as spironolactone, is described for use in treatment of circulatory disorders. This therapy would be particularly useful to treat congestive heart failure while avoiding or reducing aldosterone-antagonist-induced side effects, such as hyperkalemia.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A pharmaceutical dosage comprising one or more pharmaceutically-acceptable excipients and spironolactone in an amount which is therapeutically effective to antagonize aldosterone but which amount is not sufficient to induce substantial diuresis.  
     
     
         2 . The dosage of  claim 1  wherein said subject is afflicted with or susceptible to congestive heart failure and said subject further requires avoidance of the incidence of hyperkalemia.  
     
     
         3 . The dosage of  claim 1  wherein spironolactone is present in a dose range from about 1 mg to about 23 mg.  
     
     
         4 . The dosage of  claim 3  wherein spironolactone is present in a dose range of about 5 mg to about 20 mg.  
     
     
         5 . The dosage of  claim 4  wherein spironolactone is present in a dose of about 12.5 mg.  
     
     
         6 . A method to treat a circulatory disorder in a subject in need therof, said method comprising administering to said subject an amount of spironolactone sufficient to prevent or retard the development of congestive heart failure but less than an amount to induce incidence of hyperkalemia.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  comprising administering spironolactone in an amount that substantially avoids inducing diuresis.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  comprising administering spironolactone in an amount less than 25 mg per day.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  comprising administering spironolactone in an amount from about 5 mg to about 20 mg per day.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  comprising administering spironolactone in an amount from about 5 mg to about 15 mg per day.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  comprising administering spironolactone in an amount of about 12.5 mg per day.