Re: aldactone and birth defects
From: Celeste (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Mon, 5 Mar 2001 13:20:59 -0600 (CST)
At Sat, 3 Mar 2001, Sonnet wrote:
>
Hi girls, I'm on Spiro and the info sheet on it said that it can cause
birth defects to the gonads of baby boys who were in their moms when
they were on this drug. It didn't say what the defect was. But it is
an androgen blocker, and keeps testosterone from making our facial hair
grow in "male" patterns, so I guess it can block testosterone from
making a boy's penis/testicles develop correctly. The sheet didn't
mention how big of a risk that it is, just that if you take the drug you
really should not be ttc on it. I took that to mean, take no chances,
but since I couldn't even ovulate on Clomid, I figure my bcps have me
covered in case lowcarb + Spiro + weightloss turns things around while
I'm not looking.
Spiro is also a mild blood pressure reducing medication. It is one of
the milder diuretics, and decreasing blood volume is enough for some
people to have a reduction in their blood pressure. The milder ones
like Spiro are called potassium-sparing, meaning they don't cause a lot
of this essential mineral to be flushed out like some drugs do
(requiring then that you add more back, what a chore). Someone with a
heart condition might be on this, because reducing blood pressure can
help a lot of heart problems from getting bigger.
Hope your day's a great one!
>I just posted a note on this not too long ago... I asked my father
>about it, who has been a pharmacist for over 20 years and a pharmacy
>manager for quite some time as well. According to him, yes there is a
>risk of birth defects, but from all he knows the risk is actually
>relatively small. Aldactone (Spiro) is actually a diuretic, and is
>prescribed for some people with (let me try to remember now) heart
>problems??? if they can't take potassium. BUT it also has some
>anti-androgen effects, meaning it can be good for controlling facial
>hair and acne in women. The risk is there but if you are aware of it
>and take care to not become pregnant while on it, it's cool. I am sorry
>I don't have any statistics on what happens if you DO get pregnant while
>on it - if I can find any out, I will post them here.
>
>At Fri, 2 Mar 2001, k wrote:
>>
>>Hi there -
>>
>>I'm just curious. I'm currently on Aldactone and Mircette.
>>
>>I'm curious to know if there have ever been any actual reports of Birth
>>Defects from Aldactone?
>>
>>Of course we're all very careful, but things can happen and I want to
>>know what the actual risk is.
>>
>>I've heard that the risk is large and the effects tragic, and I've heard
>>that the risk is minimal if you stop it right away at least. But I've
>>never seen any actual data.
>>
>>I guess it's good if there is none and it wouldn't mean there's still no
>>risk. I wouldn't want to be the first stat.
>>
>>I'm just really curious.
>>
>>I read a post from a woman on a different board a while back and she
>>accidently got pregnant while on Aldactone. I've always wondered if
>>things went well for her or not.
>>
>>I hope this came across okay. I don't want to sound like I don't take
>>the risk seriously or anything.
>>
>>Thanks ~k
>
>--
>Email always welcome to: sonnet_fitz@hotmail.com
>
--
Celeste
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