Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Should I Stop Spironolactone For Cystic Acne As This Is Increasing The Potassium Levels In The Body Or Are There Any Ways To Reduce It Naturally?
I am taking spironolactone for cystic acne. My potassium level is now 5.1, up from an average of 4.7 over the last year. Should I stop taking the medication, or are there other ways to lower my potassium level? My diet does not include many foods rich in potassium.
Fri, 7 Feb 2014
hello,
It seems you had polycystic ovarian disease ( PCOD) for which you started spironolactone to decrease the levels of androgens in your body.
Increase in potassium levels is a known but quite uncommon. It is common if you have renal insufficiency or if you are taking drugs like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or you are taking potassium supplements. I don't think you have any of these problems.
For sure, you have reached to a higher limit of your potassium levels. you can do two things
1. Stop spironolactone. Take isotretinoin for your cystic acne if very severe, and to decrease your pcod problem, start oral contraceptive pills (which have antiandrogen activities)
2. continue spironolactone. monitor it regularly every week. drink a lot of water atleast 10-12 hours a day. If things don't normalise in 2 weeks, then I would again recommend you to stop the drug
Thanks
Dr Jyoti Gupta
It seems you had polycystic ovarian disease ( PCOD) for which you started spironolactone to decrease the levels of androgens in your body.
Increase in potassium levels is a known but quite uncommon. It is common if you have renal insufficiency or if you are taking drugs like angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or you are taking potassium supplements. I don't think you have any of these problems.
For sure, you have reached to a higher limit of your potassium levels. you can do two things
1. Stop spironolactone. Take isotretinoin for your cystic acne if very severe, and to decrease your pcod problem, start oral contraceptive pills (which have antiandrogen activities)
2. continue spironolactone. monitor it regularly every week. drink a lot of water atleast 10-12 hours a day. If things don't normalise in 2 weeks, then I would again recommend you to stop the drug
Thanks
Dr Jyoti Gupta
I find this answer helpful
Hi,
I can understand your concern for the use of Spironolactone for cystic acne.
Spironolactone is quite often prescribed in case of acne induced hormonal cases as in polycyctic ovarian disease.
In these case we can replace the drug with other safer option of either low dose estrogen and progesterone pills or cyproterone or with Drosperinone or any other synthetic preparations.
I suggest you to meet your treating doctor and tell her about your problem of low potassium level so that immediate steps can be take out to reduce the side effects.
All the best.
I can understand your concern for the use of Spironolactone for cystic acne.
Spironolactone is quite often prescribed in case of acne induced hormonal cases as in polycyctic ovarian disease.
In these case we can replace the drug with other safer option of either low dose estrogen and progesterone pills or cyproterone or with Drosperinone or any other synthetic preparations.
I suggest you to meet your treating doctor and tell her about your problem of low potassium level so that immediate steps can be take out to reduce the side effects.
All the best.
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Hypokalemia
Loading Online Doctors....