i was just wondering if anyone on aldactarone or however you spell it has been told by their doctor that you’re supposed to stay on it the rest of your life, once started with it? i don’t believe that i was told this, but the other day a electrologist told me she wasn’t sure but to double check with my doctor, please let me know if any of you are aware of this…thanks <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Hi Eroca:
Aldactone is the same as spironolactone, so you may want to read any posts on that subject.
It is an anti androgen, but was originally used to treat hypertension. It acts as a diuretic so that causes one to urinate more. It can also lead to retention of potassium in the system, so that should be monitored and also avoid excess potassium such as supplements. The first few months of being on it can make one feel weaker till you adjust to the reduced testosterone levels.
It will reduce your DHT/testosterone level. If you are male it has a feminizing effect in addition to reducing body hair after a time on it. Therefore if you were a virile male and wanted to stay that way it isn’t recommended for that. It won’t reduce facial hair.
Also as Andrea mentioned elsewhere here it can harm the genital developement in male embryos in a female who is pregnant, so isn’t recommended for women who could be pregnant.
So who does that leave? MTF Transsexuals use it to reduce their DHT (testosterone) levels. All others have to be aware of the side effects.You also need a prescription.
Yes Eroca, you have to stay on it as long as you produce testosterone. If you were a male and had an orchiectomy, you would no longer need to take it.
Alicia
thanks so much for your reply aliciadarling i really appreciate thanks for all your wonderful information…sorry if it had already been posted…thanks again : )p.s. im a female who is not pregnant or sexually active so i guess it’s okay?
Hi Eroca:
Just for the fact that it could harm a fetus probably most doctors would not prescribe it even if you aren’t active sexually.
Even if they did, they should do tests for your testosterone level first and at periodic intervals. They will also want to check if you are retaining potassium because of the spironolactone.
I don’t imagine your testosterone levels would be as high as mine were, so the amount of medication you took would probably be smaller. I take 100 mg, twice per day.
My testosterone is in the lower level of the range for women.
Alicia
aliciadarling,
thanks for your response : ) well my doctor did the blood work tests and i’ve been taking one per day for about 3 months now. im scared from what you said about the fetus though. i mean if i ever wanted to have a baby now there’s a chance of a damaged fetus?!?! OH MY GOSH!! my doctor didn’t tell me that at all!! that’s really scary. i planned on having kids when im older. i don’t know what to do now? i go see an endochronologist soon but i wonder if i should get off of the aldacatone? please respond if you have any further information for me thanks in advance!!!
p.s. my doctor told me that i was in the high normal range of the blood work i had performed. hopefully the endochronolgist will have more useful information for me.
Hi:
I borrowed this following article, but it may help explain a few things. It also mentions the other drugs used as anti androgens. I hope it helps. I am on both spironolactone and propecia. Propecia(finasteride) is for my scalp hair.
Alicia
HORMONES AND UNWANTED HAIR
by Geoffrey Redmond, MD
FACIAL AND BODY HAIR
Medications For Increased Hair
Although hirsutism shows on the skin, it is started by hormones in the blood. It is therefore as much an internal as external condition. Treatment directed at the hormonal cause can be quite effective. Several of these treatments have been in use for many years but are not widely known. Most of the prescription medications are FDA approved for other indications but not for hirsutism. They can be prescribed for hirsutism however.
The following is meant as general information. What treatment is suitable for an individual must be worked out with a physician.
Proper treatment depends on hormone levels. It generally involves two components:
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Lowering the level of free testosterone. Oral contraceptives (OCs) are often used for this since some will lower free testosterone by about half. However by themselves, OCs help only slightly. They slow hair growth rates but not down to normal. Some specific oral contraceptives seem to be better than others for hirsutism and related problems. OCs work best when combined with the next form of medical treatment:
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Blocking the effect of testosterone on the hair follicle. Several medications have this effect. Here are some of the most often used:
Spironolactone The medication most commonly used to block testosterone is spironolactone (Aldactone®) but it must be used in the proper dose. Originally introduced for treatment of high blood pressure, spironolactone is probably now more often used for hirsutism. Doses for hirsutism are higher than those for high blood pressure. Spironolactone can cause menstrual periods to come closer together but combined use with an OC will usually keep the cycle regulated. Because it is a diuretic (water pill) spironolactone can cause slight dehydration. Signs of this include mild fatigue and dizziness but this can be almost always be prevented by adequate water intake.
Finasteride (Proscar® and Propecia®) Finasteride is sold in different doses under the brand names Proscar ® and Propecia® for prostate enlargement and male pattern baldness respectively. This medication blocks the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase which converts testosterone to its more active form, DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is the hormone responsible for the gradual enlargement of the prostate which occurs in most men beyond the age of fifty. A form of this same enzyme is active in the hair follicle and plays a role in both increased hair and loss of hair from the scalp. We know this because people with a rare inherited condition of deficiency of this enzyme have scant body hair. Unfortunately, the males with this rare condition also have abnormal genital development.
Finasteride seems to have some effectiveness for hirsutism though it may not be quite as effective as spironolactone. (It probably can also help alopecia but this is discussed in the article on hair loss.) However it does not have the common spironolactone side effects of increased water loss and more frequent periods.
Risks of finasteride There is a major problem which greatly limits use of finasteride in women. I pointed out that men with a genetic defect in 5a-reductase — the same situation as finasteride creates — are born with abnormalities in their genitalia. This is because the a male baby needs full levels of DHT for his genitalia to form properly during fetal development. The fear is that if a woman takes finasteride when pregnant with a male child, genital abnormalities may occur. This has not been reported in humans but remains a grave concern nonetheless. The labeling for finasteride includes warnings that it should not be taken by women. This is because of the birth defect concern.
Finasteride has been used for hirsutism and alopecia in women, usually those who cannot become pregnant — because they have gone through menopause or had a tubal ligation or hysterectomy. Use of finasteride by women is a decision which needs to be thought through carefully with the input of a knowledgeable physician and reliable means for prevention of pregnancy.
Actually, there are similar concerns about any anti-androgen and any women who takes such medications must be aware of this and take suitable precautions not to become pregnant.
The Cream for Facial Hair There is a new medication, Vaniqa® (eflornithine) which is FDA approved for treatment of facial hair. It is applied twice a day and works by slowing the metabolism of the hair follicle. It does not eliminate the hair but simply slows its growth. I was involved in its development and many women are happy with it. The thing to remember is that it is basically for women who are removing hair. By slowing down how quickly it regrows, Vaniqa can decrease how often hair needs to be removed and make a woman more confident that her secret will not be apparent a few hours after removal. It can be combined with other medications.
How long does it take to see improvement? Because hair growth changes slowly, treatments to alter it work gradually. Though improvement can begin to show within the first 3 or 4 months, it is after that the difference starts to become more and more apparent. It does take patience but most women are happy with the result if treatment is done properly. A regimen customized to a woman’s individual hormonal pattern is much more likely to produce a satisfying result.
Thanks Again Alicia darling. i have recently found out that what i have is that my body is sensitive to testosterone and that i may just need to change the way i eat. which is probably a good thing all around…im still on spinad…? (aldactone) however, i’m going to ask the endochronolgist if i CAN get off of it b/c if i ever wanted to have babies in the future i wouldn’t want that to stop me. the aldactone makes me dizzy and dries my skin out so bad that it becomes flaky on my eye lids and everywhere on my face…thanks again
Since you are a genetic female, the good nutrition and taking care of yourself on the hydration and fitness situations will serve to regulate this problem once your hormonal imbalance is taken care of.
With your body being sensitive, you really need to watch the things that raise your levels. Keep that together and you will be fine, and your electrologist will soon have to wait for your courtesy calls just to catch up with you.
James
LOL thanks for responding ur so wise! oh yea and an EXCELLENT electrologist <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Hi Eroca:
I think that you would have to be pregnant for those medicines to have any detrimental effect. They should not effect you down the road because you took them today. If you used precautions you would be alright.
I agree you need to drink plenty of water when you take aldactone/spironolactone. That is probably a good idea at the best of times as James mentions.
I think some foods can help which contain phytoestrogens such as soy products or soy isoflavones. Which foods in particular would you recommend?
Alicia