is it safe to switch from andro to spiro?

[Zoi]

i've been on andro for 3 years  tried spiro before but i didnt like the slow effect and now just cause im afraid of getting any kidney or liver damage i wanna switch  is it safe ?

[ClaireA]

Talk to a doctor! Androcur and Spiro are completely different beasts, with Androcur specifically being an anti-androgen and Spiro being a diuretic that also happens to have great anti-androgen affects. While both are usually tolerated OK, only a doctor can determine if making the switch would be dangerous or not.

Just a question: What slow effect did you experience with Spiro? Sure, it may take a week or two for your body levels of spiro to get up to an active level, but I don't know of spiro being specifically slower as an anti-androgen in any real meaningful way (i might be wrong. anyone else have opinions?)

[Flan]

yes, but you have to ramp down cypro over a couple weeks to avoid hormonal side effects, spiro can be started during that time if liver and kidneys are normal.

[Zoi]

Will maybe its different from a person to another when i used spiro it took looong time for any effects to start showing  , after that i took  a month break and doctor told me  i can start andro and the effects started after 2 weeks

so i guess its different from a body to another

[Karla]

AFAiK it's safe but never stop the androcur cold turkey or it can mess up your other non-sex hormones, wean yourself off it instead. Also don't expect the same efficacy from the Spiro, but you've been on for 3 years so will it even make a difference.

[Caith]

I strongly agree with Karla about slowly ramping down the cyproterone/Androcur before switching over.  I used spironolactone for a year and in addition to drinking a ton of water and running to the bathroom frequently every day, it caused kidney stones for me.  At that time I switched to cyproterone and began feeling MUCH better.  Everything I've read over the last few years shows spironolactone is primarily a diuretic with a mild to medium anti-androgen effect, while cyproterone is primarily an anti-androgen with a strong effect.