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Suggest Treatment For Side Effects Of Spironolactone
Question: I take Spironolactone, and Lisinopril (40 mg) for high blood pressure. The Spironolactone was prescribed to replace the HCTZ (12.5mg) I was taking previously. My doctor recently retired. I recently noticed a minor irritation and swelling in my left breast. I went to another doctor who recommended I use a heat pad to see if that would eliminate swelling. I was reading the side effects of the Spironolactone and it mentioned it could cause swelling of male breasts. It is the weekend so cannot see a doctor now so want to know if I should discontinue the XXXXXXX .. now and risk rising blood pressure before I can get a replacement.
Brief Answer:
Gynaecomastia quite likely; yet do not discontinue XXXXXXX until substituted
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. You are quite right, spironolactone can cause gynaecomastia (non-cancerous development/enlargement of male breasts) as a side effect. But, as your doctor is not currently available and you seem to be concerned about the further enlargement, it is still just a side effect that can subside once the medication causing it is discontinued.
But going about a risk versus benefit analysis, I would recommend against the discontinuation of spironolactone until your doctor can start you on a substitute. The gynaecomastia will gradually settle once the spironolactone is discontinued, but is not important or significant enough to lead to immediate discontinuation of spironolactone.
So in conclusion, spironolactone could quite possibly be the culprit here, but please do not discontinue it on yourself until your doctor can initiate a substitute medication for your hypertension.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Gynaecomastia quite likely; yet do not discontinue XXXXXXX until substituted
Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.
Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. You are quite right, spironolactone can cause gynaecomastia (non-cancerous development/enlargement of male breasts) as a side effect. But, as your doctor is not currently available and you seem to be concerned about the further enlargement, it is still just a side effect that can subside once the medication causing it is discontinued.
But going about a risk versus benefit analysis, I would recommend against the discontinuation of spironolactone until your doctor can start you on a substitute. The gynaecomastia will gradually settle once the spironolactone is discontinued, but is not important or significant enough to lead to immediate discontinuation of spironolactone.
So in conclusion, spironolactone could quite possibly be the culprit here, but please do not discontinue it on yourself until your doctor can initiate a substitute medication for your hypertension.
I hope you find my response helpful. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help.
Best wishes.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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