Spironolactone will help with acne on the face, back, and chest. The majority of sides effects associated with spironolactone are dose dependent; low-dose therapy (25–50 mg daily) generally is well tolerated, and even 100 mg daily is not problematic in most cases.
"In [high blood-pressure] cases, you typically take 200 mg a day as a recommended dose, but spironolactone tends to work well [for treating acne] at very low doses, as low as 25 mg." Another major plus about the drug: It's cheap!
There are concerns that spironolactone can cause weight gain, but there isn't much evidence it does. For example, the package insert for the drug doesn't list weight gain as a side effect. Along with weight gain, many people worry that spironolactone will make their skin look worse when they first start taking it.
"Most women should expect it to take around 3 months for the benefits to start showing. In my experience of prescribing the drug, it is not uncommon for spots to flare up initially before starting to settle. For this reason I typically prescribe a low dose for the first few weeks and gradually build it up over time."
This can happen in both men and women. If this happens, your doctor may stop your treatment with this drug. This symptom usually goes away once you stop taking this drug. Low blood pressure and worsening kidney function: This drug may result in low blood pressure and worsening kidney function.
When using Aldactone as an acne treatment, the most common dosage is between 50 to 100 mg daily1??. Many dermatologists start off prescribing 25 mg and work up to the target dosage over the course of several weeks. Your doctor will determine the most appropriate dosage for you, depending on your personal situation.
Usually the first choice for treating acne is tetracycline — such as minocycline or doxycycline — or a macrolide. Oral antibiotics should be used for the shortest time possible to prevent antibiotic resistance. Oral antibiotics are best used with topical retinoids and benzoyl peroxide.
Originally formulated to treat hypertension and a few other cardiovascular troubles, spironolactone is a drug that, at a lower dose, can help with hormonal acne. It's also an androgen blocker (that delivers just the teensiest bit of progestin) and a diuretic. And though it treats hormonal acne, it's not a quick fix.
The pill: 2 to 3 months. Spironolactone: A decrease in breakouts and oilness in a few weeks.
What else can I do to clear hormonal acne?
- Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening.
- Apply no more than a pea-size amount of any acne product. Applying too much can dry out your skin and increase irritation.
- Wear sunscreen every day.
- Use only noncomedogenic products to reduce your risk of clogged pores.
Most often, acne will go away on its own at the end of puberty, but some people still struggle with acne in adulthood. Almost all acne can be successfully treated, however. It's a matter of finding the right treatment for you.
Breast changes
Breast enlargement may occur in 26% of women at high doses and is described as mild. Some women regard spironolactone-induced breast enlargement as a positive effect. Spironolactone also commonly and dose-dependently produces gynecomastia (breast development) as a side effect in men.What else can I do to clear hormonal acne?
- Wash your face in the morning and again in the evening.
- Apply no more than a pea-size amount of any acne product. Applying too much can dry out your skin and increase irritation.
- Wear sunscreen every day.
- Use only noncomedogenic products to reduce your risk of clogged pores.
Basically, Spironolactone blocks androgen receptors and reduces the production of oil in the sebaceous glands, according to him. “With hormonal acne, androgen hormones (like testosterone) are elevated and can cause skin problems like oily skin, clogged pores, and acne around the neck and jawline,” he says.
Spironolactone, the generic name for Aldactone®, works by lowering androgen levels in the body. Androgens are hormones that both males and females have, but males have higher levels of them. Spironolactone works by lowering the level of androgens, which lessens hair growth and improves acne.
The best birth control pill for acne is a combination pill—one that contains both estrogen and progestin. The FDA has approved four such birth control pills for the treatment of acne: Ortho Tri-Cyclen, Estrostep Fe, Beyaz, and Yaz.
How do you know if you have hormonal acne?
- You're no longer in your teen years.
- Your pimples pop up around your chin and jawline.
- Your breakouts occur once a month.
- You're seriously stressed.
- You're dealing with painful cysts (versus blackheads and whiteheads).
Avoid taking salt substitutes that contain potassium or potassium supplements while taking spironolactone. Try to avoid foods high in potassium (such as avocados, bananas, coconut water, spinach, and sweet potato) because eating these foods may lead to potentially fatal hyperkalemia (high blood potassium levels).
Spironolactone will cause the elimination of water from the body, causing weight loss, but it does not cause fat loss directly. Although spironolactone may relieve symptoms caused by fluid retention and could be helpful for specific health conditions, there is no evidence that it promotes healthy long-term weight loss.
Overdosing on spironolactone can result in: Drowsiness, dizziness, or confusion. Rash. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
The reason spironolactone is still fairly unheard of by acne sufferers is likely due to its main use: treating high blood pressure and heart failure. While I'd taken the birth control pill since I was a teenager in an effort to combat period-induced breakouts, spironolactone works a bit more aggressively.
Spironolactone and Alcohol
While taking Spironolactone, consumption of alcohol, narcotics, or barbiturates (a sedative) can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when you get up too quickly from a sitting or lying position. Therefore, it may be best to avoid drinking alcohol when taking spironolactone.DOSAGES. The dosage of spironolactone for acne is 25-200 mg/day in one to two divided doses. A study that used 50 mg spironolactone twice a day on Days 5 through 21 of women's menstrual cycle had a high rate of success with low incidence of side effects (Harper, 2006).
According to Rouleau, there are two possibilities for this type of breakout: hormones and dairy. "Cystic acne which usually occurs in the chin and jaw areas is the most common place to get acne — especially in adults," she says. "The reason for this is often due to the hormonal shifts and imbalances in the body.
Pimples happen when your pores are clogged with oil and dead skin cells. Research suggests that acne on your chin and jawline is often related to hormones , particularly in women. Hormones called androgens stimulate the production of sebum, which is the oil responsible for clogging pores.
If you don't see improvement after 4 to 6 weeks, add a second acne product to your treatment plan. This approach can help attack the different causes of acne. Bacteria, clogged pores, oil, and inflammation can all cause acne. Of course, the second treatment should attack a different cause of acne.
Acne on your cheeks? Check your phone and pillowcases. And anytime you hold your phone to your face, you're spreading that bacteria to your skin, potentially causing more acne. Persistent acne on one side of your faces tends to be due to dirty phones, pillowcases, and other habits like touching your face.
