Aldactazide is a trade name for an oral,
combination diuretic. Specifically it contains a mixture of spironolactone
(Aldactide) and hydrochlorthiazide (Hydrodiuril). Aldactone
is a milder, potassium sparing diuretic while Hydrodiuril is a more potent
compound from the thiazide family. The combination produces a diuretic
with potency comparable to that seen with a doubling in thiazide dosage
(when used alone), but without the same level of calcium and potassium
excretion. While a potassium supplement is often required with thiazide
treatment, the balance of the two drugs in Aldactazide virtually
eliminates this need. Medically this drug is used to treat cases of
hypertension (high blood pressure) and edemas (swelling due to excessive
water retention). When administered, diuresis (water excretion) becomes
pronounced within a couple of hours. It may actually take three to four
hours for the peak effect to be noticed, and the drug will remain active
in the body for a total duration of approximately twelve hours.
Athletes use diuretics in order to shed extra
water retained in the body. This practice is popular in competitive
bodybuilding situations, as a drop in subcutaneous water storage can
result in an increase in the level of definition to the physique.
Competitors in weight class sports like boxing and wrestling also make use
of diuretics, administering them to manipulate their body weight for
category adjustments. Since the "weigh-in" procedure is
generally done a day or days before a competition, the athlete has a clear
window of opportunity to drop body weight and lower his/her weight class
assignment. The hours or days after the weigh-in gives the competitor more
than ample time to rehydrate, and compete at a weight well above that
which is dictated by their category. This could certainly be considered an
(extremely) unfair advantage, if it were not balanced out by the fact that
"dropping weight" (either pharmaceutically or otherwise) is an
almost universal practice within such disciplines.
The dosage of the two constituents does vary
somewhat among the different preparations, so one should be cautious to
notice the actual dosage of both drugs before administering Aldactazide.
The user, depending on individual needs, will need to judge the timing of
his diuretic use in relation to the weigh-in or show. The whole
intake/preparation schedule should also not run longer than a few days, so
as to minimize potential health risks. It is also much more effective when
the athlete is familiar with the process well before actually needing to
do so. This way frantic last minute diuretic use can be avoided, as the
user should be fully prepared. When administered haphazardly, it is very
easy to achieve too great a diuretic effect. The result in this case might
not be a defined look, but a flat, deflated appearance brought about by
severe dehydration.
The most common practice among athletes is to
administer a single 50 mg/50 mg tablet in the morning (with a meal), and
to wait and judge the diuretic effect. After a number of hours, this is
repeated if a stronger effect is needed. Usually 2-3 tablets will be taken
by the days end. Remember that this compound, hydrochlorthiazide in
particular, can remain active for many hours. Overlapping dosages will
certainly amplify any diuretic effect. Without a large enough gap between
tablets, the active dosage/effect may be difficult to judge. The
accumulated effect, of course, has the potential to reach a dangerous
point.
This diuretic (as all) can present a number of
unwanted side effects to the user. This includes, but is not limited to,
dehydration, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, anxiety, unrest,
weakness, numbing of extremities and cardiac irregularities. One also
risks severe dehydration, with potential to result in coma or death.
Unfortunately athletes will too often push their diuretic use to the
limits of personal health. The line between a desired effect and serious
complications is, in many instances, very fine. While serious side effects
appear less frequently with this class of diuretic (than say
Lasix),
it should still remain a constant concern. Additionally, spironolactone
can lower serum androgen levels due to its interference with the
biosynthesis of testosterone. This combined with a weak ability to inhibit
androgen receptor binding give this drug notable anti-androgenic
properties. Since athletes use this compound for only short periods of
time however, this effect should not be much of a worry.
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