Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Potassium/Spironolactone question

Question:

I’m on 100 mg of Spiro a day for my PCOS. I’ve heard that since Spiro is a potassium sparing drug (whatever that means) how much potassium *should* I be using?

Response:

I’m on 100 mg of Spiro a day for my PCOS. I’ve heard that since Spiro is a potassium sparing drug (whatever that means) how much potassium *should* I be using?

I’ve also wondered this since I’m on it as well for PCOS and have had little problems with the leg cramps associated with potassium deficiency. I don’t take any potassium supplements and I don’t use "lite salt" because I think that Spironolactone goes out of it’s way to store any potassium that you ingest so it shouldn’t be a worry. Ask your endocrinologist for a better answer of course, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to supplement potassium while on this med. That’s just my $0.02. Erika RollerGirl

Response:

I’m on 100 mg of Spiro a day for my PCOS. I’ve heard that since Spiro is a potassium sparing drug (whatever that means) how much potassium *should* I be using?

Hello,     Spironolactone causes increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted, while potassium loss is minimized. Spironolactone acts both as a diuretic and as an antihypertensive drug by this mechanism.     Potassium (Vitamin K) supplementation (including dietary potassium) should not be administered in conjunction with spironolactone therapy. Excessive potassium intake may cause hyperkalemia in patients receiving spironolactone. Spironolactone should not be administered concurrently with other potassium sparing diuretics. Hyperkalemia may occur in patients treated with spironolactone if the potassium intake is excessive. This can cause cardiac irregularities, some of which may be fatal. Hyperkalemia may also occur even in the absence of potassium supplementation, particularly in patients with impaired renal function, elderly patients, or patients with diabetes. Consequently, no potassium supplementation should ordinarily be given with spironolactone. Hope this helps. Robert

Response:

Folks, If you’re on a potassium sparing medication take NO potassium. These medications keep the kidney from dumping potassium. If you take extra potassium it causes the potassium levels to rise and your body is not able to get rid of it the way it normally would. If your potassium gets to high you can end up with a fatal heart rhythm problem. People not on these meds lose too much potassium because of the diuretic effect of dumping their glycogen hence the cramps. But you aren’t losing potassium because of the med. — Jenny 168.5/148.5/145 Second Goal 9/1998 – 8/2001 and 11/10/02 – Now http://www.geocities.com/jenny_the_bean Facts and Figures about Low Carb Dieting

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m on 100 mg of Spiro a day for my PCOS. I’ve heard that since Spiro is a potassium sparing drug (whatever that means) how much potassium *should* I be using? I’ve also wondered this since I’m on it as well for PCOS and have had little problems with the leg cramps associated with potassium deficiency. I don’t take any potassium supplements and I don’t use "lite salt" because I think that Spironolactone goes out of it’s way to store any potassium that you ingest so it shouldn’t be a worry. Ask your endocrinologist for a better answer of course, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to supplement potassium while on this med. That’s just my $0.02. Erika RollerGirl

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello,    Spironolactone causes increased amounts of sodium and water to be excreted, while potassium loss is minimized. Spironolactone acts both as a diuretic and as an antihypertensive drug by this mechanism.    Potassium (Vitamin K) supplementation (including dietary potassium) should not be administered in conjunction with spironolactone therapy. Excessive potassium intake may cause hyperkalemia in patients receiving spironolactone. Spironolactone should not be administered concurrently with other potassium sparing diuretics. Hyperkalemia may occur in patients treated with spironolactone if the potassium intake is excessive. This can cause cardiac irregularities, some of which may be fatal. Hyperkalemia may also occur even in the absence of potassium supplementation, particularly in patients with impaired renal function, elderly patients, or patients with diabetes. Consequently, no potassium supplementation should ordinarily be given with spironolactone. Hope this helps.

It sure does. So I should stick with ordinary table salt then? Miss Jaime (Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA) http://community.webshots.com/user/miss_jaime Cavemen,and that includes you,are well adapted to a diet of meat, fish, fowl, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits.

Response:

Yes.  Too risky.  Ask the Doc on your next visit to be sure. Be Good, Robert

Response:

The medications in question are classified as ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure and include Accupril, Altace, Capoten, Lotensin, Monopril, Prinivil, Vasotec and Zestril. Also, diuretics such as Amiloride and Triamterene, and the discussed Spironolactone.  Hope this helps. Robert

Response:

Yes.  Too risky.  Ask the Doc on your next visit to be sure.

I haven’t seen my Endo for over 2 years but I can ask my family doctor sometime. Miss Jaime (Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA) http://community.webshots.com/user/miss_jaime Cavemen,and that includes you,are well adapted to a diet of meat, fish, fowl, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits.

Response:

The medications in question are classified as ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure and include Accupril, Altace, Capoten, Lotensin, Monopril, Prinivil, Vasotec and Zestril. Also, diuretics such as Amiloride and Triamterene, and the discussed Spironolactone.  Hope this helps. Robert

Sure does. Thanks Robert.  :-) Miss Jaime (Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA) http://community.webshots.com/user/miss_jaime Cavemen,and that includes you,are well adapted to a diet of meat, fish, fowl, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits.

Response:

I’ve also wondered this since I’m on it as well for PCOS

I’ve wondered about it for some time now. Figured it was the time to ask. and have had little problems with the leg cramps associated with potassium deficiency.

Me too. I *only* have problems with my legs (specifically my thigh muscles) when I take NOSALT. I don’t take any potassium supplements and I don’t use "lite salt" because I think that Spironolactone goes out of it’s way to store any potassium that you ingest so it shouldn’t be a worry. Ask your endocrinologist for a better answer of course, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to supplement potassium while on this med. That’s just my $0.02.

2 cents well spent.  I’m going to stick to regular table salt from now on….and sparingly with that. Miss Jaime (Hamilton, Ontario, CANADA) http://community.webshots.com/user/miss_jaime Cavemen,and that includes you,are well adapted to a diet of meat, fish, fowl, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits.

Response:

Filed under: PCOS Diet

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