Spironolactone effectivity

[exterlander (imported)]

Hi,

This is my first post in this forum, and firstly I wanted to thank any response I would have, and advice about my poor english expression (it isn't my mother language )

Well, I have been taking 200 mg spironolactone daily (100mg tablet each 12 hours) for 1 1/2 month, currently without any HRT, just to find out if I'm really affected of gender dysphoria, and eventually take part of a MtF transition.

I know there is a huge risk in self-medication, but really my former situation wasn't very sustainable, and this resulted a somewhat effective method to get rid off my self unrecognition, and of course I assume the risks this implies.

That said, I would like to ask; How effective is spironolactone as an antiandrogen, not being in estrogen replacement?

This question is motivated because I have felt, mainly in psychological side, slight changes, but in the physical side, that changes are very slow, and I'm not sure I'm doing well.

Would you consider 200mg per day a reasonable dose for antiandrogenic pruposes, considering the contitions exposed above?

Thankfully,

exterlander

[_g (imported)]

Using spironolactone you need your potassium levels checked and monitored.

_g

[SmoothieSoon (imported)]

To answer your question: 200 mg is a very reasonable dose. Many people start with 100 mg and can comfortably go up to 200. The number you want to check with a blood test is your testosterone level before and after you start the spironolactone to determine how effective it is for you. After 1 1/2 months your testosterone level should be stabilized and I recommend a testosterone blood test...

[daledale (imported)]

I use siterone, works great for me

[anthrogeek (imported)]

The highest usual dose is about 300mg, some people take as little as 50-100mg, beyond that is more than typical for transgender hrt. Potassium needs to be checked but this can be mostly balanced by drinking (much) more water and it's still not going to be especially bad unless you live off meat shakes or a dozen bananas a day. The resulting need to pee every 10 minutes (sometimes literally) is sometimes jokingly called being spirowned :p

It's not the most effective, there's other more effective options per mg, but it can still be fairly effective. Plus it has the advantage of having been discovered in the 40s, so it's out of patents and all that.

[exterlander (imported)]

Thank you all very much

I'm aware of potassium-accumulation risks, so I have modified my diet in order to restrict food rich in that element (no bananas, no oranges, avoid grilled meat), and also I've augmented my water intake, so I think I'm doing well in this.

Anyways, I'm going to schedule a serum ions level control, but I have mistaken not to having done a testosterone test before my journey. Althoug, I'm curious about how quatitatively is affecting spironolactone to my testosterone/estrogen level, so I'm trying to acquire the money that costs a sexual hormone test out of public health system

Have a nice day!!

[Losethem (imported)]

OK, I've been watching things here and I'm saying this is going on long enough without someone who has a bit of knowledge about what Spironolactone does saying anything.

Do any of you know what Spironolactone is used as for it's official, on-label, use?

It's a blood pressure medication to treat hypertension and as a diuretic used to reduce edema. Generally it's used to LOWER blood pressure, and usually only used in women because of the side effects people here are using it for. If you have normal blood pressure it may be VERY dangerous for you to use this drug without advice and assistance from a doctor. I'm actually prohibited from passing this medication to a person who has blood pressure outside of certain parameters because doing so could kill them.

And you better be careful about getting injured, it has a blood thinning effect and increases that effect when taken with aspirin.

So if you wish to pee a lot, maybe crash your blood pressure, and perhaps die, please feel free to continue using this drug without medical guidance.

You might take it and survive, but you might also have your blood pressure crash and die. The choice to take the risk is up to you.

--LT

[butcherbaby (imported)]

The reason you would take potassium with this is that it is a potassium wasting diuretic so potassium has to be taken or potassium rich foods need to be eaten if you're using this

. Generally it's used to LOWER blood pressure, and usually only used in women because of the side effects people here are using it for. If you have normal blood pressure it may be VERY dangerous for you to use this drug without advice and assistance from a doctor. I'm actually prohibited from passing this medication to a person who has blood pressure outside of certain parameters because doing so could kill them.

Wait a moment. Spironolactone/Aldacone is a potassium SPARING diuretic so you have to keep a low potassium diet!

Estrogen raises blood pressure so everything should be fine. Can't be that dangerous because thousands of transsexuals use it.

[transward (imported)]

Wait a moment. Spironolactone/Aldacone is a potassium SPARING diuretic so you have to keep a low potassium diet!

Estrogen raises blood pressure so everything should be fine. Can't be that dangerous because thousands of transsexuals use it.

Correct.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spironolactone

Spironolactone (marketed under the trade names Aldactone, Novo-Spiroton, Aldactazide, Spiractin, Spirotone, Verospiron or Berlactone), commonly referred to as simply spiro, is a diuretic and is used as an anti-androgen.It is a synthetic 17-lactone drug that is a renal competitive aldosterone antagonist in a class of pharmaceuticals called potassium-sparing diuretics, ...

Spironolactone often increases serum potassium levels and can cause hyperkalemia, a very serious condition. Therefore, it is recommended that people using this drug avoid potassium supplements and salt substitutes containing potassium.[10] Doctors usually recommend periodic screening of serum potassium levels and some patients may be advised to limit dietary consumption of potassium....

Transward

[Losethem (imported)]

Wait a moment. Spironolactone/Aldacone is a potassium SPARING diuretic so you have to keep a low potassium diet!

Estrogen raises blood pressure so everything should be fine. Can't be that dangerous because thousands of transsexuals use it.

OK, I stand corrected on the potassium issue and have corrected my post above. I was getting confused with Lasix for a moment. Spironolactone is a sodium wasting drug. Water follows salt and potassium in the body, hence the reason it's used for edema issues to get the water out of your body. One thing is for certain, on either of these drugs you'll be spending a lot of time looking for a place to pee.

Still, saying "it can't be that bad because thousands of transexuals use it..." isn't a ringing endorsement. Thousands of transexuals are also getting advice from a physician while they are using it. What I'm most concerned about here is people getting non-medical advice to use it, they should be consulting their doctor instead.

--LT