ALDACTONE
Remark:
Internationally, numerous other compounds containing the substance
spironolactone are available. Due to limited space they are not listed
here.
Aldactone is a diuretic and belongs to the subgroup of potassium--sparing
diuretics. Aldactone is an aldosterone antagonist. It influ-ences the
body's own hormone, aldosterone, which accelerates the excretion of
potassium and reduces the excretion of sodium and water. Simplified,
aldosterone regulates the endogenous water household. The higher the
aldosterone level, the more water is stored in the body. The use of
Aldactone results in a significant reduction in the aldosterone level so
that an increased excretion of sodium and water occurs while, at the
same time, potassium is reabsorbed. This also explains why Aldactone is
called a potassium-sparing diuretic since it does not cause a loss of
potassium like thiazides and furosemides (lasix) do. Athletes must
strictly observe that during the use of Aldactone no additional
potassium is taken since this would cause a life-threatening increase in
the serum potassium level. Potassium--sparing diuretics have relatively
low diuretic effects so that Aldactone can be called a mild diuretic. It
is interesting to note that Aldactone is also an antiandrogen since it
reduces the androgen level. Female athletes take advantage of this
characteristic by using it to mini-mize the virilization symptoms during
steroid treatment or the symptoms after treatment. For this purpose
Aldactone is normally taken daily for 10 to14 days, usually in a dose of
50 mg/day. In men this could cause problems since the relationship of
the andro-gen level to the estrogen level changes in favor of the latter.
Thus, common side effects in men include pain in the nipples and breast
swelling (gynecomastia).
Bodybuilders use Aldactone almost exclusively during the last week
before a competition. Since this causes neither a dramatic nor an
immediately noticeable draining effect, it is usually taken over 5-6
days in a dosage of 2 tablets of 50 mg daily. Both male and female
athletes take it. The main problems in men consist of gynecomastia and
possible impo-tence. Other side effects can be low blood pressure,
muscle spasms, dizziness, gastrointestinal pain, vomiting, irregular
pulse rate, and fatigue.
Aldactone by Boehringer Mannheim of Germany is often found on the black
market. A package contains 50 dragees of 50 mg each and costs approx.
$30 on the black market. There are currently no Aldactone fakes
available.