My skin freaked out at first, with breakouts bubbling up all over, and then it cleared. The interval eventually tapered off, but I still pee more than I did before I started taking the medication. Hi! Given its antiandrogen activity, spironolactone has several off-label uses including: Hormonal acne Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The best part of it all, I've gotta say, is that (if it works for you, as it does forso many people) you can get your hormonal acne under control once and for all. Other common side effects include breast tenderness, lumps, irregular periods, and headaches. I also noticed the pill improved my mood (but maybe that was just because my acne was going away). Can I expect it to get worse before it gets better. Acne clears completely in 6 weeks. Spironolactone Type of ingredient: Oral Medication Main benefits: Regulates oil production, blocks androgen receptors, and reduces the length of hormonal breakouts. It is best to limit alcohol intake while taking spironolactone, as alcohol can increase the side effects, including dizziness. It took a few weeks/months but it has definitely made a difference with reducing acne and hair growth speed . However, many women have taken it to prevent male hair patterns, including both hair loss and hirsutism as well as for acne. Adapalene (Differin) products are considered to be slightly more efficacious than tretinoin products and certainly cause less skin irritation. If your acne doesn't get better, talk with a provider about other acne treatment options. Since spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic, you should avoid taking potassium in your supplements or sports drinks and avoid eating too many high potassium foods such as papaya, cantaloupe, prune juice, honeydew melons, bananas, raisins, mangoes, kiwis, oranges, orange juice, tomatoes, tomato juice, white and . My usual breakouts follow my cycle so I will have a week of better skin then breakouts. While effective, the medication has very serious possible side effects and has a high risk of teratogenicity (birth defects). Acne on the chest or upper back (in more severe cases), Also known as Aldactone or simply water pills, the catch-all term for. See how spironolactone has worked for some women's hormonal acne below: The biggest question I had for my dermatologist before going on spironolactone was if I would have to take the pill forever. Ebede, T. L., Arch, E. L., & Berson, D. (2009). It is almost always used in combination with topical products and is almost exclusively used only in females with either excess androgenization (i.e. Acne typically returns within a few months .. Among other things, it reduces sebum in the skin, helps regulate your skin cells and reduces the P. Acnes bacteria. Acne cleared for years. However, if you are planning on getting pregnant, you shouldn't take spironolactone. There are many variations to this regime. When youre finished completing the form, youll be able to download your FREE Acne Guide, Acne Scar Guide or both! Sure, the everyday side effects of spironolactone are minimal, but what about the long-term risks of being on it? Azelaic Acid. The most common side effect is redness of the skin, especially when you first start using the product. "It's important to measure blood potassium levels with use and stop if too high," says Dr. Patel. These symptoms may include bloating, fatigue, moodiness, blood sugar fluctuations, and more. When I was struggling with hormonal acne, my bathroom looked like a Sephora stock room. Learn about side effects and more. I realize Spiro takes 2-3 months to show improvement, but is it normal/expected for my acne to become so much worse? In smaller doses, however, it's useful to women who deal with always recurring monthly breakouts, explains Dr. Nakhla. Am I purging? https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20964565/. The reality is that spironolactone only works when you're on it. Lately, I've been getting the odd whiteheadusually during weeks when I'm under extreme stress or have had a few too many late-night pizza slices. Read our Privacy Notice,Cookie Notice and Terms and Conditions. Stopped nursing/tretinon cream acne: medication for 3 weeks now and am experiencing the worst acne I have ever had. What is the most significant adverse effect of spironolactone? Because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not specifically approved it as an acne treatment, spironolactone for acne is considered off-label drug use. She covers all facets of beauty for the site. are available, oral spironolactone is more common. Here's how it works: "Spironolactone is popular for female cycle acne, the kind that happens every couple of weeks and is associated with a menstrual cycle," says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. In order to customize your acne regimen, please answer the questions below: We have a Clear Clinic @Home representative standing by! As someone who's tried every hormonal acne treatment under the sun, I'd pretty much given up hope that my skin could ever be clearuntil I was introduced to Spironolactone. (25 mg 2x a day). Spironolactone is a prescription medication that functions as an androgen receptor blocker. Apply 1 to 3 times per day, massage into skin and rinse off. Spironolactone is made of four steroid rings and is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists which are diuretics and their primary use is to remove excess water from the body. The retinoids are the most commonly used prescription products for acne, and there are a lot of them! What happens when you stop taking spironolactone for acne? If your acne tends to line up with your menstrual cycle, your dermatologist might recommend only taking it the week before your period. Privacy Policy. There are a few things to take notice of, of course. Most specifically the mood swings since I struggle with depression as well as the weight gain. When spironolactone does work, it works well. It may even get worse before getting better. This typically gets much better though as you continue to use the product. Spironolactone is made of four steroid rings and is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists which are diuretics and their primary use is to remove excess water from the body. Female pattern hair loss: current treatment concepts. Breast enlargement or swelling (gynecomastia), Elevated potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia). Health related message boards offering discussions of numerous health topics including allergies, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, exercise, attention deficit. I get lots of emails. Due to these hormonal side effects, do not take spironolactone if you become pregnant or are sexually active without birth control methods. Fish is a great source of Omega 3-Fatty acids and they are also available over the counter as a supplement. Along with salicylic acid, it is very commonly used to self treat acne. Generic Aldactone is an effective medication which helps to fight with hyperaldosteronism, hypokalemia, edema, ascites, hirsutism, alopecia (baldness), acne. Men . Some reviews I have read online said that they got "the worst break-out of their life" after starting. And Dr. Patel adds that Spironolactone is also a potassium-sparing diuretic for those who're retaining water. Spironolactone is available as a lower-cost generic. Hormonal acne is a complex issue that has many causes and potential treatments. It takes time. Improvement in acne can take 3 to 6 monthsto be seen. Improvement in acne can take 3 to 6 months to be seen. The writer's skin before, two weeks, and four weeks after starting spironolactone. Because your skin can become. Click here to learn more about in-office laser and light-based treatments for acne. Is weight loss or weight gain a side effect of spironolactone? He's answered thousands of medication and pharmacy-related questions and he's ready to answer yours! Acne 101: Types, Best Treatments, Medication, Cystic Acne OnHealth. Sep 17, 2015. Instead, work with your dermatologist to slowly lower your dosage over time to avoid rebound breakouts. I noticed improvements within a week, little ones, and it kept getting better. "Spironolactone blocks the hormone aldosterone, which can lead to fatigue," Dr. Shah explains. In that case, changes to your diet or supplementation can help lessen the appearance of acne vulgaris without blocking your hormone production. Spironolactone is an androgen inhibitor that blocks the production and activity of these hormones. All retinoids are applied in the evening before going to bed. Lastly, as will many different drug products, acne does tend to get worse when you start a medication before it gets better. It was when I finally stopped being stubborn and visited a dermatologist that I seriously considered spironolactone, a prescription drug, as an alternative treatment to the other last resort options I was looking into: birth control or Accutane. I started back on the combi birth control Loreyna (generic for Yaz) and she prescribed spironolactone/dapsone cream for AM & Tretioin for PM. While Id taken the birth control pill since I was a teenager in an effort to combat period-induced breakouts, spironolactone works a bit more aggressively. And that is why I look forward to taking the pill everyday. How effective is spironolactone for acne? Spironolactone acts as a roadblock for androgen hormones in your body by preventing them from overstimulating the skin's oil glands. Even though I researched what ingredients are good for clearing up hormonal acne and read countless product reviews, nothing I tried worked. 73% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 14% reported a negative experience. Some byproducts of the metabolism of the P. Acnes bacteria are irritants to the skin and lead to microcomedo formations and results in inflammatory lesions. 1. I came across the pill in my Google search results when I first started breaking out. Dinh, Q. Q., & Sinclair, R. (2007). Many of them have never even heard of spironolactone for hormonal acne. Get tips on what causes acne and how to prevent it. However, I have no regrets and, overall, I'm happy with my decision to go on it. ARA: How to deal with an acne breakout? 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