cramps and other side effects of spironolactone

[Ktomoph_]

I recently raised the issue I had been suffering over the last few months - excruciatingly painful full leg cramps, and sometimes accompanied by stomach and arm cramps.

I spoke with my GP about this, had a blood test which showed normal levels of everything.....and no reason given apart from that this sometimes happens with age!

I was offered quinine 'as this is what he has always prescribed'.

I have heart failure, CKD and a few other health issues, so as the quinine causes irreversible damage to the kidneys I declined. Nothing else was offered!

As a great advocate of cause and effect giving the answer to most things I began researching why this was happening.

The obvious reasons such as not enough fluids, dietary products such as too much salt didnt apply as I drink plenty of water and avoid adding salt, dont even like processed foods, and eat a healthy diet.

Next was the medications I am on - 3 of which are varying dosages of different diuretics.

I had been taking furosemide and losartan for a while when I was suddenly prescribed spironolactone by a heart nurse without reason, not even a blood test that indicated I needed this.

I asked what it was and why I was being prescribed it. The answer was 'its good for the heart.' I asked what it did for the heart. The answer again ' it is good for the heart'.

As someone who has all my life avoided any chemical based medicine if there is a natural alternative this answer didnt sit well with me. I contacted my GP and asked what it was and why I was being prescribed it. He explained it was a diuretic that stopped the potassium being washed out of my body. I asked if this meant I could stop or cut down on one of the other diuretics. He said no.

Like all medication spironolactone has numerous side effects with one of the more serious being muscle cramps. I stopped taking it.

Whether it is coincidence or fact - I have not suffered any cramps for 5 days now. But this isnt the only noticeable difference - I am not so foggy headed as I had been. I am noticeably more alert. And today I noticed that my breasts are not so swollen and heavy.

I spoke with my GP to let her know I have stopped taking it. She has no problem with that and says there isnt an alternative(even though there are 2!).

So, I would love to hear about anyone else's experience with spironolactone.

[Becksagogo]

I am probably very lucky because I take one spironolactone and 4 bumetanide every day with no side effects. I do get leg cramps at night on very rare occasions but drinking water helps. Its funny how different medication affects different people. I have just been taken off Rivaroxoban and put on Warfarin because of my severe weight loss and I feel so much better for switching.

[Ktomoph_ in reply to Becksagogo]

thanks for that. I too am on rivaroxaban but not had any noticeable side effects - but would definitely have appreciated the weight loss side effect!and yes I agree it is interesting regarding how the meds affect people differently.

[uzininemm]

As well as my other meds on leaving hospital I was on furosemide twice a day and spironolactone half a tablet with food once a day. After 5 days the heart nurse took me off furosemide and I now only have the spironolactone with my breakfast. Thankfully for me I have had no problems at all.

As becksagogo says we all are all different.

[stagename]

I am on half a tablet of Spironolactone, along with various other heart meds, and get cramp. I used to take a magnesium tablet, but that clashes with one of my meds , so I drink tonic water which helps , as I am on restricted fluids it has to be part of my allowance. Hope you can get relief from your cramp.

[Ktomoph_ in reply to stagename]

hi thanks for your response. Stopping taking the spironolactone, which I have been taking 25mg each day for about 3 years, has stopped the cramps.

Sometimes it is a case of working out which meds are doing more harm than good

Tonic water does contain quinine in a much lower dose than the tablets that the GP prescribes, but its good to hear this works for you.....as the cramps are just so painful and difficult to release.

Take care and stay safe

[stagename]

Thanks. Blessings to you.

[tonylongman]

Hi I am on half a tablet a day (12.5mg) and suffer cramp in my calf muscles, really interesting to hear of your experience. You mention 2 alternative drugs that I assume provide the same benefit, could I ask what they are as I'm minded to ask my cardiologist about changing the Spironolactone.Ta

[Ktomoph_ in reply to tonylongman]

Hi TonyThere are 2 alternative potassium sparing diuretics -

Amiloride - this one has several known side effects listed . Some are the same as those for Spironolactone and some of which are worse than those for Spironolactone.

So I wouldnt choose to take this one.

Triamterene - this appears to have a lot lot less known side effects.

But puzzlingly my GP has said there are not any alternatives. This may be because she doesnt know about them, or it could be that they are more expensive.

The cramps which I have suffered full leg cramps are excruciating and crippling.

My concern is that my GPs fail to realise that although they are treating my heart failure and CKD, the cramps are also chronic and should not be ignored if I refuse to take the quinine they offered! (quinine does irreversible damage to the kidney - and mine has already been damaged by the medications I am on!)

Good luck in sorting out your meds.

Would love to hear how you get on.

[tonylongman in reply to Ktomoph_]

Thanks for this, really helpful to enable a sensible dialogue with my cardiologist, fortunately the cramps aren't too bad for me so I won't push to hard to change but will ask him never the less.Happy to let you know if I do change though.

[Ktomoph_]

thanks for the info re: eplerenone. I did come across the name in an article but the way it was included I thought it was a generic name.I have now researched it further and added it to my notes to discuss with the cardiology team (as I'm not getting any advice from my GP!)

Interestingly a monthly supply of eplerenone is 6-7 times more expensive than spironolactone........maybe that is the reason it isnt initially prescribed!

money over health!