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What Causes Severe Diarrhea While On Losartan Potassium And Spironolactone?
Question: I am on Carvedilol 6.25 mg; Losartan Potassium 50 mg; Spironolactone 25 mg for High Blood Pressure. I am convinced one of these, if not more, is causing me severe diareah, and I mean severe. Am I correct?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that diarrhea is a known adverse effect related to losartan or spironolactone.
Which of these drugs did you start first?
Is diarrhea related to starting on if these drugs?
Coming to this point, I would recommend stopping first spironolactone which has not a high influence in blood pressure values.
Some tests are also necessary to investigate for other possible causes:
- complete blood count
- lipaze and amylase for pancreas function
- potassium levels and sodium for possible imbalance
- kidney and liver function tests
- a stool analysis or bacterial culture.
If all these tests result normal and diarrhea doesn't stop after stopping spironolactone, I would recommended stopping also losartan.
In such case I would recommend starting amlodipine in order to help maintain a normal blood pressure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that diarrhea is a known adverse effect related to losartan or spironolactone.
Which of these drugs did you start first?
Is diarrhea related to starting on if these drugs?
Coming to this point, I would recommend stopping first spironolactone which has not a high influence in blood pressure values.
Some tests are also necessary to investigate for other possible causes:
- complete blood count
- lipaze and amylase for pancreas function
- potassium levels and sodium for possible imbalance
- kidney and liver function tests
- a stool analysis or bacterial culture.
If all these tests result normal and diarrhea doesn't stop after stopping spironolactone, I would recommended stopping also losartan.
In such case I would recommend starting amlodipine in order to help maintain a normal blood pressure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
I started the spironolactone first. Thank you for answering my question. I have had the tests you mentioned, that's why I suspected one of the medications.
Brief Answer:
My advice as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information.
As, you started spironolactone first, I would recommend stopping losartan first and substitute it with amlodipine, in order to avoid fluctuations in your blood pressure values from these changes to your therapy.
If diarrhea doesn't stop, then stopping spironolactone would be the next step.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My advice as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information.
As, you started spironolactone first, I would recommend stopping losartan first and substitute it with amlodipine, in order to avoid fluctuations in your blood pressure values from these changes to your therapy.
If diarrhea doesn't stop, then stopping spironolactone would be the next step.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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