Looking for info about potassium-sparing diuretics

I'm a career office worker in a job that doesn't allow for much gittin'-up-n-walkin'. In years past, I've occasionally had a problem with swollen ankles and feet (edema), and my doc prescribed the diuretic Lasix, only to be taken occasionally as needed.

I was talking yesterday with a friend about the fact that the edema's becoming an every day kind of thing, but I'm concerned about taking the Lasix daily because of not wanting the potassium in my system to be depleted. My friend said I should talk with my doc about switching me to a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Anybody know about this type of diuretic? Pros? Cons? Sleep disruption? I've done some online reading, but hearing thoughts, knowledge and/or first-hand experience from folks here is always a good idea, imo.

Thanks!
Marsha

Hi Marsha.

Start with Google......"diuretic"

Here's a few links I just found.
Some are supposed to be "potassium sparing".

Den


http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high- ... -treatment

http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art ... lekey=7103

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diuretic

.

Thanks, Den.

Marsha

Hi--I was on Aldactone (spironolactone) for a short time --it worked ok but not near as good as Esidrix (hydrochlorothiazide also commonly known as HCTZ) which is what I am on now. Thiazide diuretics provide the most effect on lowering blood pressure, cause moderate increases in sodium excretion, and are appropriate for long-term use. I have had trouble with edema of the ankles too --due to sitting at my job as well as a thyroid condition. The HCTZ is really cheap too----like 10 dollars for a 90 day supply. I do take a potassium supplement when I think about it as my potassium is always on the low side due to taking this drug daily. You can try the spironolactone but it does not work as good IMO.

Good luck!!
Carrie

I take the Spiron/HCTZ for Meniere's Disease for fluid in the inner ear. Supposedly this will not affect your potassium, however my Dr still wants to see potassium levels every six months.

Songbird wrote: I was talking yesterday with a friend about the fact that the edema's becoming an every day kind of thing,
Marsha

Marsha, I'm a "you better move it, or you'll loose it" kind of guy.
I would suggest that you google "desk side exercise".
There are many things you can do at your desk to
prevent the problems you are having.
Light stretching and simple exercises....good for mind and body.

Feel the burn!

Thanks, Carrie and Violet. I had read that it's still good to have the K level checked, but hadn't found how often is recommended, so that info is especially helpful. (I know my doc would be on top of that, but it's still nice to know.)

You're right, of course, Carbonman. I'll do that. I'm so grateful for people like you who help me to think. (we need a DUH smilie) (what happened to your avatar?) (where are our Rocky Mountain snow pictures????)

Marsha

I agree that you will get much information from Google. Here's the little bit I've gotten from my docs over the years. Dyazide and Maxide use the same 2 main ingredients. The 2 meds incorporate the 2 ingredients in different strengths. Even though Maxide is more potassium sparing, they are considered so. They tend to work more throughout the day whereas Lasix tends to work quite quickly in the morning and then slow down considerably during the day. And my experience shows this to be true--in my case, anyway. Of course, you can take the OTC potassium which is limited to 99 mg to keep it in the safe zone because too much potassium is just as dangerous as too little. My doc prescribed the OTC version for 20 mg Lasix.

Songbird wrote:Thanks, Carrie and Violet. I had read that it's still good to have the K level checked, but hadn't found how often is recommended, so that info is especially helpful. (I know my doc would be on top of that, but it's still nice to know.)

You're right, of course, Carbonman. I'll do that. I'm so grateful for people like you who help me to think. (we need a DUH smilie) (what happened to your avatar?) (where are our Rocky Mountain snow pictures????)

Marsha

You want to see snow and (Rocky) mountains? Here ya go. And, they're "real time", too.

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm

http://www.togwoteelodge.com/webcam/netcam.jpg


Den

Here's some more. This site has gotten "particular" on how many links you can put in a post anymore.

http://www.jhmail.com/office.jpg

http://www.jhnsyn.com/webcams/townsquare/townsquare.jpg


Den

Things are all relative. There are some diuretics or combinations of diuretics that are less active in causing potassium excretion than others. These also tend to be less effective as diuretics.

ALDACTONE (spironolactone) was one of the first, and it was so weak as a diuretic that it was combined with Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ = ESIDREX, HYDRODIURIL, etc) and marketed as ALDACTAZIDE. DYAZIDE was another combination including HCTZ also because it's main ingredient was weakly diuretic. MAXIDE was introduced as a generic DYAZIDE, however manufacturing differences prevented it's being chemically equivalent, although it is considered therapeutically equivalent to DYAZIDE. MODURETIC is another combination with HCTZ, but it's potassium-sparing agent is more potassium retaining than the other agants.

LASIX and BUMEX are "loop" diuretics (called so because of where they work in the kidney), and are considered to be more effective and more rapid acting diuretics than HCTZ, They are also more active excreters of potassium, so more attention to potassium levels and supplementation is required when using these diuretics.

Patients who are prescribed ANYof these diuretic agents, including the "potassium sparing" ones, should have their potassium levels monitored periodically. It doesn't take much potassium loss to produce sometimes disastrous problems.

Potassium supplementation can be had in many forms. Dietarily in things like bananas, brocolli, etc, or by prescription or non-prescription products. Periodic monitoring of potassium levels will dictate which approach to potassium replacement is correct for each patient.

Hope that helps.