Spironolactone is an oral medication prescribed by doctors to treat hormonal acne in women. It is also used for treatment of hair loss, edema, high blood pressure and heart failure.
Studies have shown over 50% acne reduction in patients after Spironolactone treatment.
Before diving into how Spironolactone treats acne, it is important that we know about what causes hormonal acne to develop in women.
Men and women’s bodies both produce a group of sex hormones called Androgens. These hormones play a crucial role in our reproductive health and trigger the start of puberty. Men’s bodies produce this type of hormones more than women. Hence, androgen hormones are also known as “male hormones.”
In women, high levels of androgen hormones can lead to overproduction of sebum or oil. When this happens, the excess sebum blocks the skin’s pores and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria that causes inflammation resulting in acne.
To treat acne, Spironolactone prevents the body from producing too many androgen hormones. By lowering the amount of androgen hormones in the body, the production of excess sebum also diminishes, which helps reduce acne.
Spironolactone is best for healthy women who have hormonal acne or those who have persistent acne despite undergoing other treatments in the past.
This acne treatment is not for women who are:
Spironolactone is also not recommended for men due to the following side effects:
Like any treatment, Spironolactone also has potential side effects. These include:
Consult with your doctor immediately if you are experiencing any alarming side effects while taking Spironolactone:
Additionally, women who are of child-bearing age should practice birth control such as taking contraceptive pills, as spironolactone may cause birth defects.
A crucial step to achieve the best results when taking Spironolactone is undergoing a thorough assessment and confirming with your doctor that you are qualified for this acne treatment.
Getting screened prior to taking Spironolactone also ensures your health’s safety given the possible side effects that may arise with this treatment.
The combination of Spironolactone and birth control pills can provide even better results in treating acne, so your doctor may recommend taking both simultaneously.
Here are other helpful tips to note while taking Spironolactone:
The treatment duration using Spironolactone depends on your doctor’s assessment of your condition. How well your body responds to the oral medication will also influence how long you should use Spironolactone
Spironolactone is best for stubborn acne in women, particularly those that are caused by excess androgen hormones. It can also be used for cystic acne.
One tablet of Spironolactone is recommended per day and it is best taken in the morning. Higher dosage of Spironolactone may be split to twice a day, but it is not recommended to take the second dose too close to bedtime. Remember that Spironolactone is a diuretic and taking it prior to your bed time can disrupt your sleep when you have to wake up to pee.
Spironolactone can have an adverse effect when taken together with certain food, drinks and medication. It can increase the levels of potassium in the body that can lead to serious side effects. Avoid dietary items that contain a lot of potassium, salt substitutes and alcohol. For medications, it is important that you inform your doctor of everything that you are taking, so they can help identify which ones are safe to use with Spironolactone.
While oral spironolactone and isotretinoin achieve similar results, these acne treatments work in different ways. Spironolactone blocks androgen hormones in the body to prevent them from producing excess sebum that could clog pores and lead to acne. On the other hand, isotretinoin decreases the production of sebum by directly shutting down the oil gland, leaving the pores clog-free. Spironolactone is effective for hormonal acne and only works when it is actively used, while isotretinoin provides long lasting results and can treat various types of severe acne.
Yes, Spironolactone can be combined with other acne treatments like Ethosome Gold PTT and laser therapy.
It will take some time for the results of Spironolactone to show. When taking Spironolactone alone, you may notice your skin to be less oily and have fewer acne breakouts a few weeks after you have started to take this oral medication.
Spironolactone is given in tablet form that is taken orally once a day. The dosage prescribed by doctors for Spironolactone to treat acne ranges from 25-200 mg. Your doctor will base your dosage on your condition and usually start with a low dosage. Increasing the dosage is possible depending on how your body responds to Spironolactone, but this must be done with the proper guidance of your doctor.
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