Thread: Spironolactone and high potassium, can be fatal

Hi, I was on Spiro a year or so ago for a few months, it did help alot with hair and acne but at the time I was getting really dizzy/heart arythmias and found out that Spiro is also a treatment for lowering bloodpressure (mine was too low now that I was on it). I stopped taking it, but I recently started it again because my symptoms are flaring badly. I have read alot about it recently, and noted that its a potassium-sparing diuretic, and having too much potassium in your blood can be fatal, especially if you eat alot of potatoes, tomatoes, bananas..I do eat alot of those, and am just wondering if any of you other ladies who take this drug have had an issue with high levels of potassium. I just don't want to have another problem arise from this medicine because it helps so much.

Anyone with feedback will be appreciated!

You should watch your potassium while you are on Spiro. It's better if you avoid cereals with added potassium and potassium supplements. I doubt that one or two bananas a week or a slice of tomato a day would hurt. You should have your postassium checked the first 3 - 6 months after starting Spiro to see if it is affecting it.

Spiro is a diuretic and that's what can lower your blood pressure if you have too much fluid squeezing your arteries. It wasn't considered a very effective treatment for high blood pressure unless used with other drugs, and is rarely used to treat hypertension any more.