Spironolactone Allergy / Finestride As Alternative

[tgirlamc]

Hi All,

I began Spiro about three weeks ago...

Five days into the third week, after incremental steps up in dosage, I had a very bad allergic reaction, terrible rash/hives all over my body. This started last Saturday night and was so bad I went to the emergency room. Starting to improve but still not gone yet. Past few days the most miserable ever. :sad:

Has anyone else had this issue or experience with Finestride or other alternative anti-androgens? It doesn't look like Spiro will work for me. I know Finestride is a libido killer but I'm not really worried about that aspect of it

I was due to start estrogen injections Tuesday but I want to make sure I'm all the way past this reaction before I make my body jump through many more hoops

Take Care,

Ashley :)

[Jessicah]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with allergic reactions due to anti-androgens. If you're seeing a GP or endocrinologist, they may have recommendations for alternatives so I'd start there. Best of luck to you.

[celeste26]

Always, always, always tell your Dr.

The idea that spiro is an anti-androgen is not according to the label, it is an off label use of this powerful drug. The main purpose for it is as a "potassium sparing diuretic" and it main use is for those with congestive heart failure and there is a rare side effect for gynecomastica (5% of patients). You should read about all the potential side effects at www.drugs.com

If there is no other way except to use that powerful drug, then be sure to reduce your dietary potassium because it will build up to toxic levels if you don't. That is called hyperkalimia, there are also potential kidney problems. too.

[LeaP]

I take both. No problems anymore (I had startup dizziness problems). I associate loss of libido more with Spiro than Finasteride, by the way.

They are VERY different drugs. I would not extend your Spiro experience into projections about Finasteride.

[Angela Campbell]

Yes Spironolactone is used off label for TS feminization, but it is a very effective and widely used anti androgen. In the USA it is widely used in this manner due to guidelines of problems with other drugs used in other countries. All have their dangers.

Finasteride is weaker as an antiandrogen as compared to Spiro.

I take Finasteride as treatment for male pattern balding, along with Spiro and estrogen.

[LeaP]

The idea that spiro is an anti-androgen is not according to the label, it is an off label use of this powerful drug.

You need to distinguish label use from drug characteristics recognized in the label. From Pfizer's Aldactone (Spiro) sheet:


ALDACTONE has known endocrine effects in animals including progestational and antiandrogenic effects. The antiandrogenic effects can result in apparent estrogenic side effects in humans, such as gynecomastia.

Generally speaking, Spiro is better considered relatively benign rather than powerful. It has largely been replaced for its primary purposes with newer drugs. Those who do use it can and do tolerate long-term and/or heavy doses.

[tgirlamc]

Thank You All!!

Ashley :)

[rata]

Finasteride might be weaker but it blocks the most powerful form of testosterone DHT

[celeste26]

At least Finasteride's main function is with the prostate, a far more direct usage than Spiro.

[CharleneT]

Yes Spironolactone is used off label for TS feminization, but it is a very effective and widely used anti androgen. . .

Finasteride is weaker as an antiandrogen as compared to Spiro.

I take Finasteride as treatment for male pattern balding, along with Spiro and estrogen.

The two drugs act in different ways. It is not accurate to say that Finesteride is weaker - it most certainly is not.

For the OP: Spiro is commonly used but not necessary - especially if you are on Estrogen. After a fairly short while the Estrogen will knock out most T production. Finasteride will bind up most of the rest. You'll be fine. As for the libido, there is some evidence that DHT blockers can lower it. But that is not a given. When I was pre-op I took a very low dose of Spiro and Dutasteride (2nd generation of Finasteride), my libido went down quickly and then back up as my body/mind got used to the new hormones "in charge". There are manymany men out there taking Finasteride for baldness and still having a love life. Talk to your doctor about the concerns as well as what doses can work for you.