Aldactone (Cyprotone Acetate) Effects

[Sara]

Does anyone have the same side effects as myself being on Aldactone. I get very cold feet and cramps and am usually extremely cold in the winter months. I also tingle all over like pins and needles sometimes.

Androcur doesnt do any of that, I just get FAT.

Sara.

[Kimberly]

Eek, that sounds like poor circulation Sara... While I am no doctor medical or otherwise I do know poor circulation isn't a good thing. I have no knowledge of the medications in question though, however I do know that nothing I take has that effect, for what that is worth.

Regardless, that seems like something you should converse with your doctor about.

[Sara]

Hi Kimberly, I have always liked that name it sounds so sweet. Yes you could be right, I did get varicose veins from being on the meds so long although it does say on the pack that some people may get tingling in their hans and feet but you would have thought by now it would have stopped. I will look into that when I next talk to my Endo, I think there are some pills you can take for that which eases the flow of blood much better than aspro clear.

Sara.

[tiffani66]

Hmmmm... I am on Gen-Cyproterone, a generic form of Androcur, otherwise known as Cyproterone Acetate, at this time.

I am also a person that deals with Fibromyalgia on a daily basis.  The Fibromyalgia can often cause me to feel very tense in a physical way (i.e., muscular).  I have experienced muscle cramps on a regular basis and also have a problem with sensitivity to cold, especially in the winter months.  These are both symptoms of the Fibromyalgia itself, which can also cause headaches and affect sleep patterns, both of which increase the chance of other physical effects being present at the same time.

You might want to see a pain specialist to determine if there is reason to believe that you might have Fibromyalgia or another type of pain disorder.

One thing that I have noticed in my usage of Cyproterone Acetate is that it has a tendency to increase the severity of medical problems which I was already dealing with, often to the point of temporary incapacitation (i.e., a normal headache becomes a full-blown migraine).

I hope that everything is well with you at this time.

Tiffani

[Sara]

Tiffani, It could be my muscles so I will look into that. Also I have been having really bad gripping athe back between my shoulder blades, Someone mentioned to me because of my breathlessness it could be heart problems but I aslo get stabbing in the head at the back so who knows. I am definately going to get xrays of the chest and a CT scan of the brain done asap and I will also look into that muscular thing. Strange but I also get flew like symptoms (blocked nose and a tight throat).

Oh the mysterious problems my life has.

Sara.

[LostInTime]

You may have too much potassium.  Increase your water intake and go talk to your doctor.  Discontinue any salt subsitutes until after you have spoken with your doctor.

The following may also wreak havok with the drug:

ACE inhibitors such as Vasotec and Capoten
Alcohol
Barbiturates such as phenobarbital and Seconal
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Indomethacin (Indocin)
Lithium (Lithonate)
Narcotic drugs such as those containing codeine
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil, Aleve, and Motrin
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
Other water pills such as Lasix and HydroDIURIL
Other high blood pressure medications such as Aldomet and Procardia XL
Steroids such as prednisone

Let us know what the doc says.

[Sara]

LostInTime, funny name that but thanks. My doctor thinks its all related to panic attacks but I think you may be right. That is the only test I have not done (apart from the bone thing), all other elctro stuff is ok but he never checked potassium.

He did say that I should be drinking about three litres of fluid per day and now that I come to think of it to stop the dizziness associated with Aldactone I used to increase my salt intake to combat the problem.

That explains when I eat more of a salad fruit and no caffene diet I feel much better. If I have steak I put salt on and I then the next day I feel terrible.

Sara.

[LostInTime]

You are welcome.  It is not that uncommon of a problem.  I drink about 2 litres a day and that tends to offset quite a bit, not to mention the exercise I get from running to the bathroom all of the time.   

As for my name, it is more of a statement of feeling.  As a guy I was raised to be a proper gentleman.  Unfortunately such things as that are not much appreciated in today's society.  However, I do look for it in the people that I interact with and have found a few that know a few of the rules.  For a more proper name, you can follow the link at the end of my posts.

[Sara]

Isnt that funny, I never really look too much at the bottom of posts or links, etc cause I just like look at the message people are posting and concentrate on that rather the other stuff.

I will take a look and thank you for your sincerety.

Sara.

[Chynna]

You may have too much potassium.  Increase your water intake and go talk to your doctor.  Discontinue any salt subsitutes until after you have spoken with your doctor.

I agree with lost in time sounds like a potassium inbalance especially since these symptoms lasted this long definitly have a talk with your doctor in reference to this because it could become serious...Also monitor your diet (especially the amount of juices and fruit you intake)

FYI I'm not allowed to eat bannanas or drink OJ because of the Aldactone I take

But by all means let us know

Chynna

[Kaitlyn]

A little confusion here and a small aside...
From my research I though that:

Aldactone is a drug that contains Spironolactone, an antiandrogen.
Androcur (i.e. Cyproterone Acetate) is a completely different drug that is also an antiandrogen, but with differing effects and side effects from Spironolactone.

?

~Kaitlyn

[tinkerbell]

Hi kaitlyn:
In the U.S. , the anti-androgen Cyproterone Acetate is sold under the brand name of Androcur,and as far as I know there's also an injectable form called Androcur Depot.  I really don't know if there's an oral form of this drug though.
Spironolactone is the generic form of Aldactone, and you're right...it is a completely different medication from Androcur.  Both medications block the production of testosterone, but their side effects vary significantly.
I think the best way to deal with this is to find out from your own doctor what exactly it is you've been prescribed.


tinkerbell

[Leigh]

Spironolactone is the generic form of Aldactone, and you're right...it is a completely different medication from Androcur.  Both medications block the production of testosterone, but their side effects vary significantly.
I ll

Spiro does not block the production.  It blocks the recepters from utilizing what is produced.

Leigh

[Kaitlyn]

I did a bit of searching because I remember reading something about that. Most of the articles that turned up were related to its use as a diuretic and were not helpful, but I did run across this study:

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00001202;jsessionid=79296D5D83613152C3DB2524523479C1?order=7

Spironolactone (Aldactone) is an antiandrogen that also reduced testosterone synthesis by inhibiting the enzyme 17-hydroxylase. This treatment decreased the plasma testosterone level and inhibited the peripheral effect of testosterone on target tissues.

[Chynna]

I did a bit of searching because I remember reading something about that. Most of the articles that turned up were related to its use as a diuretic and were not helpful, but I did run across this study:

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/show/NCT00001202;jsessionid=79296D5D83613152C3DB2524523479C1?order=7

I was going to post that but the "new girl beat" me to it!! LOL
It definitley does Slow down \ reduce production of testosterone and it conversion into DHT
(Which is why I requested it from my doctor 2 months ago)

interference with the production of testosterone or its conversion to the potent metabolite 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can be exercised by drugs like spironolactone (Aldactone)

A quote from Dr. Bantom at the clinic I work at

Shes a wizard of hormones and TS issues if anyone wants precisely how it works in regards to HRT (not the conventional dieretic\congestive haert failure stuff you find out on the net) She says she would be glad to write something out for me so I can retype and post it with some Internet documentation.

Chynna

[tinkerbell]

I also did some research, and according to this link, spironolactone blocks testosterone production.


www.hormonehelpny.com/column/hirsutism.htm

Talk to your doctor, this is the best you can do to learn more about this or any other drug.

tinkerbell

[Melissa]

I also did some research, and according to this link, spironolactone blocks testosterone production.

It never uses the word "production".  All the ones I looked at either said it blocks testosterone or testosterone receptors (specifically the androgen cytochrome P-450 receptor which reduces testosterone metabolism).

Melissa

[Chynna]

Here this link "SPECIFICALLY" says that Aldactone interferes with the production of testosterone..

http://www.transgendercare.com/medical/hormonal/hormone-tx_assch_gooren.htm

If you believe everything ya read on the web that is!

Its about half way down the page were the breakdown the different types of hormones and what they do.
But my original post was from an MD whcih refered me to this site

LOL
Chynna

[Melissa]

It's also listed under Androgen receptor blockers on that page.  Do you believe everything you read?

Melissa

[Chynna]

Of course not...I don't even believe half the stuff I say!!! LOL
Chynna