Spiro Tablet Reduction

[Bigplanet]

My Dr today has reduced my Spiro tablet to 100mg - was on 300 then last 200 now 100. The reasoning is t reduce the side effects I am having, but concerned this might then cause liquid retention. What is the standard level for general control, not urgent reduction.

[Pensylvania]

Hey Bigplanet. Yeah, I know what you mean, I was on 200mg Spiro, then 100, then Doc tried to just stop them, I felt terrible, and, yes, liquid retention was coming back, so got put back on them, but Doc halfed the dosage again a few months ago, so am now on 50mg a day, was not too chuffed to begin with, because of retention, but I read somewhere that Direutics Can worsen brain function, if taken for too long,..so, we're already at risk of hepatic encephalopathy, (the toxins going to the brain,-which scares me Alot), so, at least I know why the Doc wants the reduction. Am afraid I have no idea what the standard level is, am sure somebody will. Good luck. Pensylvania

[Bigplanet]

Thanks this might explain since reduction to 200mg I feel awful. This is why Dr has reduced to 100. Emm hope does not make me feel even worse or as she keeps on saying its part of the condition. Sure if I went in with a arm cut off that would be because of he condition.

[findasolution]

My Dr. advised me that the usual starting doze of the potassium sparing diuretic spironolactonone is 100mg but if this is not fully effective then subject to the patient's condition and age etc the dozage can be increased.. Tried taking it myself but after about 8- 9 days ended up in A & E on a saline drip due to my electrolytes having gone completely haywire.

Since then have been taking 1 mg Bumetanide which is one of the loop diuretics (apparently this is also sometimes used concurrently with Spiro) and so far it seems to be working very well in controlling the fluid retention and I have not experienced and sickness, pain or feeling ill . However Bumeanide is a fairly potent diuretic and I do have to watch my potassium levels and have periodic monitoring blood tests because unlike Spiro it doesn't asssist the retention of potassium but dispels it in the urine With Spiro I had no idea how much potassium was being retained and whether it was in or outside safe parameters, although I suspect it was the latter otherwise I may not have been trundled off to A & E. However with Bumetanide I can start with the knowledge it will almost certainly have an effect on my potassium levels but I find this relatively easy to have some pro active control over and I do this by regularly eating potassium rich foods ( bananas,baked potatoes, apricots,tomatoes etc etc) and also by taking a daily potassium supplement ( with approval of Dr.). An occasional glass of Gatorade also seems to help maintain electrolyte levels ( thats purely my own personal view)

I mention my personal experience above just in case you may find it of some interest and perhaps may even want to discuss with your Dr whether Bumetanide might be an option for you perhaps as an alternative to or for concurrent use with Spiro at some combined daily dozage that will help you feel better while still controlling the fluid.

Good luck

[Bigplanet]

Yes this is very useful,,and one I will bring up as something is not right at the moment. Either the spiro dose is starting t get to me or the reduction is have its effects. I was on Furosmide two as a combo dose but that was also stopped last week. I have already notice water retention and stomach extending.

Thanks for sharing this information and your experience.

Andy

[Sheana]

Spironolactone causes your body to retain potassium. Furosemide depletes the body of potassium. Too much potassium or too little can be dangerous to the point of being life threatening. Unfortunately as you continue to take these meds not only do you have the potassium problem but also the meds stop working as well as they first did, so you retain the water anyway. One thing you can do is to play about with the regime.Eg split the dose from once a day to two or three times a day. And then come off the Spiro and go back on it - I am currently on one month on one month off. During the month on Spiro my potassium builds to dangerous levels - ie over 5,then in the month off it comes back down but then the water retention comes back. This causes my weight to yo yo back and forth but at least the weight isn't going up and up. When I took the furosemide all in one go in the morning it made me feel really sick so now I take half in the morning and half at night which is ok apart from the need to go to the loo in the night which is a real pain.

[Bigplanet67]

Sheena

Been on reduced Spiro at 100mg Nd no Furosmide for 10 days, I think I had a bit of a withdrawal effect as body/mind went strange, but might have been a coincidence. I did gain liquid and weight but now has gone back down, which is concerning as eating loads. Hope tests show if there is a problem. Thanks for a very informative post on the use of these two drugs.