Finasteride

[Amy Chislett]

Spiro will have to wait for another poll.  Fin only answers here, please.

[Shellie Hart]

Spiro will have to wait for another poll.  Fin only answers here, please.

Been on finasteride for 10 years for hair loss.

[Dani]

Amy,

I cannot find any reports of any need for caution with potassium intake while taking Finasteride.

Can you tell us where your concern came from?

[Amy Chislett]

Merck Manuel says drugs like spiro can interfere with K uptake.

[TonyaW]

Different class of drugs,  no issues with potassium from finasteride.



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[josie76]

Finasteride blocks two versions of the enzyme alpha5-reductase. This enzyme converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. The drug does not greatly affect other systems outside of those needing this particular enzyme.


Spironolactone on the other hand does directly interface with cell receptors. The androgen receptor is a secondary point for it. It primarily latches to mineralcorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors. It's the activity in those systems that causes increased water egress but does not trigger an increase in potassium flushing. This is why potassium levels can become dangerously high if sodium gets flushed out too much.

[Dani]

Merck Manuel says drugs like spiro can interfere with K uptake.

This is very important with Spironolactone because it is also a potassium sparing diuretic used to treat hypertension. Too much potassium can cause problems.

[Amy Chislett]

I guess it did not cause my A Fib.  Never can be too sure.  Wonder if respondents had marginal kidneys to begin with, tho.