Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I thought spironolactone was the generic term, and that aldactone (trade or brand name) may have some different binders or something, but by USP the drug itself must be identical. - I thought it was like choosing Bayer over Walgreen aspirin USP. Dave Farah Rahbar wrote: > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago asking if > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its generic > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now following my > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and reduced > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about myself, thats > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to be under > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the doctors > office. > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew my > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here it goes, > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > > *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > > Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was gone 80-90% > > Occasional heart palpitations > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd week and > after a month its almost gone > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and mornings > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > - didn't experience this on spiro > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I mean its > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > - > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be concerned or > is this a K thing? > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a sweating > episode > > I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of 0 to > 10) > > no more nausea :-) > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt loading to > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally -- every few days > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month and have > maintained a low salt diet > > > > Feeling tired often > > pain in breasts and increased size > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not measurably on > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > > My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so obviously some > kind of less swelling > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to take the > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra Spiro > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in particular > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. Thankfully I > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the challenge > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for Aldactone instead > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have to invest > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that remains is > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin and my K. > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while before I am > up for my next blood work. > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two on-line and > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in ingredients.(I am > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you experts in > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > Farah > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Yes Dave, you are right. Spironolactone is the cheap generic drug for Aldactone. I recently read in a report that some generic drugs may have substantial differences from the brand names and so I thought to give it a try. Farah On Dec 31, 2007 12:36 AM, Dave <riothamus2@...> wrote: > I thought spironolactone was the generic term, and that aldactone (trade > > or brand name) may have some different binders or something, but by USP > the drug itself must be identical. - I thought it was like choosing > Bayer over Walgreen aspirin USP. > > Dave > > > Farah Rahbar wrote: > > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago asking if > > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its generic > > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now following > my > > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and > reduced > > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about myself, > thats > > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to be > under > > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the doctors > > office. > > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew my > > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here it > goes, > > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > > > > > *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > > > > Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was gone > 80-90% > > > > Occasional heart palpitations > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd week > and > > after a month its almost gone > > > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and mornings > > > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > > > - didn't experience this on spiro > > > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I mean > its > > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > > > - > > > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be concerned > or > > is this a K thing? > > > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a sweating > > episode > > > > I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of 0 to > > 10) > > > > no more nausea :-) > > > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt loading > to > > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally -- every few > days > > > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month and > have > > maintained a low salt diet > > > > > > > > Feeling tired often > > > > pain in breasts and increased size > > > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not > measurably on > > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > > > > My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so obviously > some > > kind of less swelling > > > > > > > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to take > the > > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra Spiro > > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in > particular > > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. Thankfully I > > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the challenge > > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for Aldactone > instead > > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have to > invest > > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that remains > is > > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin and > my K. > > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while before > I am > > up for my next blood work. > > > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two on-line and > > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in ingredients.(I > am > > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you experts > in > > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > > > Farah > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 I was in pharmo school back in the late 90's, and unless something has changed, any chemical difference in the drug would be violation of the U.S. Pharmaceutical Code. Binders, excipients, yes. The drug, no. There are drugs which don't bear this requirement, on the lower schedules, but spiro/aldactone wasn't one then. If it is now, I'm moving to Barcelona. ;^p Farah Rahbar wrote: > > Yes Dave, you are right. Spironolactone is the cheap generic drug for > Aldactone. I recently read in a report that some generic drugs may have > substantial differences from the brand names and so I thought to give it a > try. > > Farah > > On Dec 31, 2007 12:36 AM, Dave <riothamus2@... > <mailto:riothamus2%40gmail.com>> wrote: > > > I thought spironolactone was the generic term, and that aldactone (trade > > > > or brand name) may have some different binders or something, but by USP > > the drug itself must be identical. - I thought it was like choosing > > Bayer over Walgreen aspirin USP. > > > > Dave > > > > > > Farah Rahbar wrote: > > > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > > > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago asking if > > > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its > generic > > > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now > following > > my > > > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and > > reduced > > > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about myself, > > thats > > > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to be > > under > > > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the > doctors > > > office. > > > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew my > > > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here it > > goes, > > > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > > > > > > > > *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > > > > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > > > > > > Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was gone > > 80-90% > > > > > > Occasional heart palpitations > > > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd week > > and > > > after a month its almost gone > > > > > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and mornings > > > > > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > > > > > - didn't experience this on spiro > > > > > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I mean > > its > > > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > > > > > - > > > > > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be concerned > > or > > > is this a K thing? > > > > > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a > sweating > > > episode > > > > > > I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > > > > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of 0 to > > > 10) > > > > > > no more nausea :-) > > > > > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt > loading > > to > > > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally -- every few > > days > > > > > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month and > > have > > > maintained a low salt diet > > > > > > > > > > > > Feeling tired often > > > > > > pain in breasts and increased size > > > > > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not > > measurably on > > > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > > > > > > My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > > > > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so obviously > > some > > > kind of less swelling > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to take > > the > > > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra > Spiro > > > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in > > particular > > > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. > Thankfully I > > > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the > challenge > > > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for Aldactone > > instead > > > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have to > > invest > > > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that > remains > > is > > > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin and > > my K. > > > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while > before > > I am > > > up for my next blood work. > > > > > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two > on-line and > > > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in > ingredients.(I > > am > > > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you > experts > > in > > > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > > > > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > > > > > Farah > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Perhaps its a difference of importing the ingredients from areas that dont regulate their products. Such as the example of China using lead in their toys - Like I mentioned, from what I understood both Spiro and Ald. have the same chemical compounds. Perhaps its the added ingredients that make the difference. Either way, I certiainly noticed a difference after taking the Ald for a couple of weeks. On Dec 31, 2007 12:53 AM, Dave <riothamus2@...> wrote: > I was in pharmo school back in the late 90's, and unless something has > changed, any chemical difference in the drug would be violation of the > U.S. Pharmaceutical Code. Binders, excipients, yes. The drug, no. > > There are drugs which don't bear this requirement, on the lower > schedules, but spiro/aldactone wasn't one then. > > If it is now, I'm moving to Barcelona. > > ;^p > > > Farah Rahbar wrote: > > > > Yes Dave, you are right. Spironolactone is the cheap generic drug for > > Aldactone. I recently read in a report that some generic drugs may have > > substantial differences from the brand names and so I thought to give it > a > > try. > > > > Farah > > > > On Dec 31, 2007 12:36 AM, Dave <riothamus2@...<riothamus2%40gmail.com> > > <mailto:riothamus2%40gmail.com>> wrote: > > > > > I thought spironolactone was the generic term, and that aldactone > (trade > > > > > > or brand name) may have some different binders or something, but by > USP > > > the drug itself must be identical. - I thought it was like choosing > > > Bayer over Walgreen aspirin USP. > > > > > > Dave > > > > > > > > > Farah Rahbar wrote: > > > > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > > > > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago asking > if > > > > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its > > generic > > > > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now > > following > > > my > > > > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and > > > reduced > > > > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about myself, > > > thats > > > > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to be > > > under > > > > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the > > doctors > > > > office. > > > > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew my > > > > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here > it > > > goes, > > > > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > > > > > > > > > > > *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > > > > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > > > > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > > > > > > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > > > > > > > > Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > > > > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was > gone > > > 80-90% > > > > > > > > Occasional heart palpitations > > > > > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd > week > > > and > > > > after a month its almost gone > > > > > > > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and > mornings > > > > > > > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > > > > > > > - didn't experience this on spiro > > > > > > > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I > mean > > > its > > > > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > > > > > > > - > > > > > > > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be > concerned > > > or > > > > is this a K thing? > > > > > > > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a > > sweating > > > > episode > > > > > > > > I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > > > > > > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of 0 > to > > > > 10) > > > > > > > > no more nausea :-) > > > > > > > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > > > > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > > > > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt > > loading > > > to > > > > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally -- every > few > > > days > > > > > > > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month > and > > > have > > > > maintained a low salt diet > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Feeling tired often > > > > > > > > pain in breasts and increased size > > > > > > > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not > > > measurably on > > > > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > > > > > > > > My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > > > > > > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so > obviously > > > some > > > > kind of less swelling > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to > take > > > the > > > > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra > > Spiro > > > > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in > > > particular > > > > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. > > Thankfully I > > > > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the > > challenge > > > > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for Aldactone > > > instead > > > > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have to > > > invest > > > > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that > > remains > > > is > > > > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin > and > > > my K. > > > > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while > > before > > > I am > > > > up for my next blood work. > > > > > > > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two > > on-line and > > > > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in > > ingredients.(I > > > am > > > > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you > > experts > > > in > > > > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > > > > > > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > > > > > > > Farah > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 As I recall they are all made by the same company as it is not easy to maked but may not be up to date. May your pressure be low! Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MD Senior Consultant to Shared Care Research and Consulting, Inc. (sharedcareinc.com) Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology Med. Col. WI Clinical Professor of Nursing, Univ. of WI, Milwaukee Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 In a message dated 12/31/07 3:18:15 AM, farahbar@... writes: > > > > > Yes Dave, you are right. Spironolactone is the cheap generic drug for > > > Aldactone. I recently read in a report that some generic drugs may have > > > substantial differences from the brand names and so I thought to give it > > a > > > try. > > > > > > Farah > I think they are exactly the same as spiro is hard to make. Maybe someone can check this out. May your pressure be low! Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MD Senior Consultant to Shared Care Research and Consulting, Inc. (sharedcareinc.com) Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology Med. Col. WI Clinical Professor of Nursing, Univ. of WI, Milwaukee Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Sounds like a good opportunity to do an n of 1 trial which we have detailed in previous notes and maybe in files. As your Dr. if he will work with you on this or you can try it yourself but then you lose the blinded aspects of a trial which is a key component. May your pressure be low! Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MD Senior Consultant to Shared Care Research and Consulting, Inc. (sharedcareinc.com) Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology Med. Col. WI Clinical Professor of Nursing, Univ. of WI, Milwaukee Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 This spread sheet does not line up right in my aol. May your pressure be low! Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MD Senior Consultant to Shared Care Research and Consulting, Inc. (sharedcareinc.com) Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology Med. Col. WI Clinical Professor of Nursing, Univ. of WI, Milwaukee Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 In a message dated 12/31/07 2:28:57 AM, farahbar@... writes: > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago asking if > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its generic > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now following my > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and reduced > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about myself, thats > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to be under > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the doctors > office. > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew my > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here it goes, > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > >  *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > >   Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was gone 80-90% > > Occasional heart palpitations > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd week and > after a month its almost gone > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and mornings > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > - didn't experience this on spiro > Suggests low K. > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I mean its > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > - > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be concerned or > is this a K thing? > Need to get K checked when you are having problems. > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a sweating > episode > >      I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of 0 to > 10) > > no more nausea :-) > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt loading to > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally – every few days > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month and have > maintained a low salt diet > > > > Feeling tired often > > pain in breasts and increased size > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not measurably on > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > >   My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so obviously some > kind of less swelling > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to take the > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra Spiro > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in particular > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. Thankfully I > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the challenge > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for Aldactone instead > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have to invest > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that remains is > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin and my K. > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while before I am > up for my next blood work. > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two on-line and > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in ingredients.(I am > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you experts in > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > Farah > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hi Farah, After speaking with the immunologist I was always written up for Aldactone as although the active ingredients are the same in Aldactone and Spironolactone the non-active ingredients may not be. In my case I react badly to a number of starches and proteins. The pharmacist told me that she had come across people not being able to take one brand of a drug but fine on another brand even when the active ingredient is identical. Hope this helps, Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Just looked at my bottle of spiro. This bunch is manufactured by Searle. I believe Aldactone is made by Pfizer. I keep a lookout for any other manufacturers in the future as my insurance only pays for generics now. a --- lowerbp2@... wrote: > As I recall they are all made by the same company as > it is not easy to maked > but may not be up to date. > > > > May your pressure be low! > > Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MD > Senior Consultant to Shared Care Research and > Consulting, Inc. > (sharedcareinc.com) > Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and > Epidemiology Med. Col. WI > Clinical Professor of Nursing, Univ. of WI, > Milwaukee > > Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood > Pressure > and the Physiology and History of Survival During > Hard Times and Heart Disease today. > > > > ************************************** > See AOL's top rated recipes > (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > -Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hi Helen: I agree with you. I think there is differences in the non-active ingredients. If all ingredients were the same, I would imagine there would not be such a difference in prices. I checked my Spiro bottle and it is manufactured by a company that is abreviated as " GREE " while the Aldactone is manufactured by Pfizer. Farah On Dec 31, 2007 4:45 AM, Helen <helenmpearson@...> wrote: > Hi Farah, > > After speaking with the immunologist I was always written up for > Aldactone as although the active ingredients are the same in Aldactone > and Spironolactone the non-active ingredients may not be. In my case I > react badly to a number of starches and proteins. The pharmacist told > me that she had come across people not being able to take one brand of > a drug but fine on another brand even when the active ingredient is > identical. > > Hope this helps, > > Helen > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Hi Farah, Nice to hear from you and Happy New Year! Since you did not do well with Inspra, it seems like Aldactone is your only choice (or the generic Spironolactone.) How is your mom doing with her diabetes? Be well, Airlinerg > > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago asking if > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its generic > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now following my > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and reduced > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about myself, thats > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to be under > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the doctors > office. > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew my > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here it goes, > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > > *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > > Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was gone 80-90% > > Occasional heart palpitations > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd week and > after a month its almost gone > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and mornings > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > - didn't experience this on spiro > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I mean its > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > - > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be concerned or > is this a K thing? > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a sweating > episode > > I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of 0 to > 10) > > no more nausea :-) > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt loading to > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally – every few days > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month and have > maintained a low salt diet > > > > Feeling tired often > > pain in breasts and increased size > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not measurably on > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > > My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so obviously some > kind of less swelling > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to take the > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra Spiro > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in particular > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. Thankfully I > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the challenge > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for Aldactone instead > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have to invest > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that remains is > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin and my K. > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while before I am > up for my next blood work. > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two on- line and > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in ingredients.(I am > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you experts in > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > Farah > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Isn't that funny? (not ha-ha, but rotten in Denmark) The ingredients not " on-topic " are called " non-active, " as any toxicity or off-topic effect is called " side. " Who is this language for, patients or doctors? Pharmo mfgs? Aristotle? Dave Farah Rahbar wrote: > > Hi Helen: > I agree with you. I think there is differences in the non-active > ingredients. If all ingredients were the same, I would imagine there would > not be such a difference in prices. > I checked my Spiro bottle and it is manufactured by a company that is > abreviated as " GREE " while the Aldactone is manufactured by Pfizer. > > Farah > > On Dec 31, 2007 4:45 AM, Helen <helenmpearson@... > <mailto:helenmpearson%40>> wrote: > > > Hi Farah, > > > > After speaking with the immunologist I was always written up for > > Aldactone as although the active ingredients are the same in Aldactone > > and Spironolactone the non-active ingredients may not be. In my case I > > react badly to a number of starches and proteins. The pharmacist told > > me that she had come across people not being able to take one brand of > > a drug but fine on another brand even when the active ingredient is > > identical. > > > > Hope this helps, > > > > Helen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Thanks for remembering my mom. She is doing well. Her heart stopped last year suddenly but not before being able to dial 911. Thankfully she was revived and they put a pace maker on her. She had a pace maker put in few months earlier but her doctor said she needed a better device. Her diabetes has been out of control with all medications they tried so she is now on 1.5units insuline once a day and her sugar level is still a little high between 150-200 which she is not happy about. Best Wishes to you, Farah On Dec 31, 2007 12:44 PM, airlinerg <airlinerg@...> wrote: > Hi Farah, > > Nice to hear from you and Happy New Year! > > Since you did not do well with Inspra, it seems like Aldactone is > your only choice (or the generic Spironolactone.) > > How is your mom doing with her diabetes? > > Be well, > > Airlinerg > > > > > > Dear all & Dr. Grim: > > Here is my two cents worth; I sent an email over a month ago > asking if > > anyone on the group knows differences between Aldactone and its > generic > > drug Spironolactone. I have been taking spiro for two yrs now > following my > > diagnosis with PA. I took 100 mgs for the most of the 1st year and > reduced > > to 75mgs thereafter. Just to give a little background about > myself, thats > > all I take plus I DASH. My BP is well controlled with the two to > be under > > 120/80 most of the time at home and always under 100/60+ at the > doctors > > office. > > Last month, I decided to ask for Aldactone when I was up to renew > my > > prescription so after taking Aldactone for about a month now, here > it goes, > > a summery of the differences I have so far experienced: > > > > > > *Spironolactone, 75mgs, 25am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > *Aldactone, 75mgs, 25 am, 50 pm + DASH* > > > > costs $5.00 for the bottle of pills to last a month > > > > additonal $65.00 that my insurance did not cover. > > > > Severe flushing and sweating during the days and at nights > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference-by 2nd week sweating was > gone 80-90% > > > > Occasional heart palpitations > > > > Initially didn't notice much difference - Much less after the 2nd > week and > > after a month its almost gone > > > > Severe muscle aches specially in my calves during nights and > mornings > > > > muscle aches appear to be reduced-definitely no more in my calves > > > > - didn't experience this on spiro > > > > Wake up in mornings with numb little finger in my right hand - I > mean its > > really numb with no feeling what so ever for a while > > > > - > > > > My right toes and foot go numb when I walk fast- should I be > concerned or > > is this a K thing? > > > > Chest feeling like its being ripped apart into shreds before a > sweating > > episode > > > > I no longer have this feeling - hooray > > > > Occasional feeling of mild nausea(I would say a 1-2 on a scale of > 0 to > > 10) > > > > no more nausea :-) > > > > BP well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > BP is well controlled under 120/80 or lower > > > > occasional bouts of low salt episodes and have to do quick salt > loading to > > feel better otherwise can not function or think mentally – every > few days > > > > Have not experienced any low salt episodes(days) in the past month > and have > > maintained a low salt diet > > > > > > > > Feeling tired often > > > > pain in breasts and increased size > > > > certainly the pain is gone and I have lost a little though not > measurably on > > the scale- my tops feel slightly looser > > > > My rings fit in my fingers tighter > > > > My rings are rather loose and come right off my fingers, so > obviously some > > kind of less swelling > > > > > > > > > > > > Whats interesting is that last week I was traveling and forgot to > take the > > Aldactone with me. But no worries, because I had a bottle of extra > Spiro > > with me which I took. After the 2nd day all the side effects, in > particular > > the weired feeling in my chest and the flushing came back. > Thankfully I > > only took it for 4 days and am now back on Aldactone. Now the > challenge > > remains to convince my doctor to write a prescription for > Aldactone instead > > of spiro so the insurance can cover it. Otherwise I think I have > to invest > > in Aldactone by paying $65 each month. The other challenge that > remains is > > to do a blood test and get a measurement of the Aldosterone, Renin > and my K. > > Once I do that I will keep you all posted but it will be a while > before I am > > up for my next blood work. > > > > By the way, I have checked the chemical compounds of the two on- > line and > > they both appear to be the same with minor differences in > ingredients.(I am > > not a chemistry kind of a person so I leave this to some of you > experts in > > analyzing the chemical compounds of the two > > > > Happy New Year to all of you, > > > > Farah > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2007 Report Share Posted December 31, 2007 Dig this. I was curious because my bottle of spiro says Searle, and then (Green) in parenthesis, which is similar to Farah's I googled Searle, Pfizer and Green and found out that Searle is now a part of Pfizer, and Greenstone is Pfizer's generics company. So maybe it is all the same. a --- Dave <riothamus2@...> wrote: > Isn't that funny? (not ha-ha, but rotten in Denmark) > The ingredients > not " on-topic " are called " non-active, " as any > toxicity or off-topic > effect is called " side. " Who is this language for, > patients or > doctors? Pharmo mfgs? Aristotle? > > Dave > > Farah Rahbar wrote: > > > > Hi Helen: > > I agree with you. I think there is differences in > the non-active > > ingredients. If all ingredients were the same, I > would imagine there would > > not be such a difference in prices. > > I checked my Spiro bottle and it is manufactured > by a company that is > > abreviated as " GREE " while the Aldactone is > manufactured by Pfizer. > > > > Farah > -Lord, keep your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth.- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 1, 2008 Report Share Posted January 1, 2008 In a message dated 12/31/07 3:41:31 PM, shahall@... writes: > > Dig this. I was curious because my bottle of spiro > says Searle, and then (Green) in parenthesis, which is > similar to Farah's I googled Searle, Pfizer and Green > and found out that Searle is now a part of Pfizer, and > Greenstone is Pfizer's generics company. So maybe it > is all the same. > > a > > > I arm reasonalbly certain it is all the same. May your pressure be low! Clarence E. Grim, BS, MS, MD Senior Consultant to Shared Care Research and Consulting, Inc. (sharedcareinc.com) Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Epidemiology Med. Col. WI Clinical Professor of Nursing, Univ. of WI, Milwaukee Specializing in Difficult to Control High Blood Pressure and the Physiology and History of Survival During Hard Times and Heart Disease today. ************************************** See AOL's top rated recipes (http://food.aol.com/top-rated-recipes?NCID=aoltop00030000000004) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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