Aldactone is a diuretic and belongs to the subgroup of potassium-sparing diuretics.
Aldactone is an aldosterone antagonist. It influences 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
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. lotassiumsparing 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 minimize
the virilization symptoms during steroid treatment or the symptoms after treatment.
For this purpose Aldactone is normally taken daily for 10 to 14 days, ustially
in a dose of 50 mg/day. In men this could cause problems since the relationship
of the androgen 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 linmediately noticeable
draining effect, it is usually taken over 5-6 days in a dosage of 2 tablets
of 50 mg daily. Aldactone should not be used to expediently drain water at the
last minute. Both male and female athletes take it. The side effects of potassium-saving
diuretics are relatively low compared to thiazides and furosemides. The main
problems in men consist of gynecomastia and possible impotence. Other side effects
can be low blood pressure, muscle spasms, dizziness, gastrointestinal pain,
vomiting, irregular pulse rate, and fatigue. It is important to note that there
is Ii', sigiuficant increase in the serum potassium level (see above).
Aldactone is a prescription drug available in American pharmacies. Aldactone
by Hoehringer Mannheim of Germany is often found on be black market. A package
contains 50 dragees of 50 mg each and costs approx. $30. on the black market.
The Mexican Aldactone by Searle can also frequently be found on the black market.
The 25 mg tablets are of light-brown color; indented, and have a SEARLE imprint.
The original package contains three strips, each with 10 tab-lets. There are
currently no Aldactone fakes available.
Price: 50 tabs/50 mg - approx. $30
Common misspellings of Aldactone: aldactonw aldactonr aldacrone aldacyone aldactine aldactpne qldactone sldactone aldqctone aldsctone alsactone alfactone akdactone aldaxtone aldavtone aldactobe aldactome ladactone aldacotne adlactone aldactoen aldactoni oldactone aldoctone aldactane adactone alactone aldctone aldatone aldacone aldactne aldactoe aldacton
