Low dose spironolactone at 50 to 100 mg daily has shown a 33% reduction in acne. Higher doses of up to 200 mg daily combined with birth control pills containing
In summary, for young healthy women under 40, there is no reason to be alarmed if spironolactone and Yaz or Yasmin get prescribed together. However, the patient does need to have blood tests for monitoring just as a safe precaution.
Yaz works to treat PMDD by balancing hormone levels to reduce symptoms like mood swings, irritability, and bloating. Yaz also treats acne by lowering testosterone levels. This leads to less oil production and clogged pores.
Some of the best contraceptive pills for acne include Yasmin, Rigevidon and Cerelle, all of which contain hormones that can help to regulate and reduce the severity of acne. If you are experiencing severe hormonal acne, it is best to speak to your doctor about which type of contraception is best for you.
Most patients see the effects of the birth control on their acne in two to three months though some patients see a reduction in acne in only a couple of weeks. Full effects of the treatment are typically seen around six months after you begin taking the birth control.
Low dose spironolactone at 50 to 100 mg daily has shown a 33% reduction in acne. Higher doses of up to 200 mg daily combined with birth control pills containing drospirenone (the progestin in Yaz and some other birth control pills) has demonstrated up to an 85% reduction in acne.
Your acne may be back after getting off birth control
The pill can correct the hormone imbalance that makes your skin break out. But the fix is temporary: Once you stop the birth control, changes in your hormones might cause acne to come back.
You won't lose weight long-term on birth control, but you could shed water weight with Yasmine or Yaz. Most types of birth control medications have no effect on weight, but there are some exceptions. The birth control shot may make you gain an average of about five pounds in the first year.
Do not take NSAIDs such as ibuprofen with spironolactone unless your doctor says it's OK. Some products to help symptoms of indigestion and urinary tract infections (UTIs) contain potassium, and may not be suitable while you're taking spironolactone.
Doses of 150 to 200 mg daily may be more effective for acne. 5 However, lower doses (50 to 100 mg daily) may be effective and have fewer side effects. The healthcare provider will prescribe a lower dose to start, even as low as 25 mg daily, and gradually increase the dose to an effective dose.
Spironolactone does not affect any type of contraception, including the combined pill and emergency contraception. Some hormonal contraceptives can reduce hormonal side effects of spironolactone, including breast pain and irregular periods.
You would require Spironolactone for as long as your acne is a problem. Most women will be on treatment for a year or two and some women may need treatment for several years. It is possible to reduce the dose and try without medication a year into treatment after the acne has been controlled fully.
There is, however, no guarantee that you will lose weight when you stop taking it. Once you stop taking birth control, you may notice that you drop a pound or two within a few weeks as fluid retention decreases, but it is unlikely that you will lose a substantial amount of weight, if any at all.
Interactions between your drugs
Using drospirenone together with spironolactone may increase potassium levels in the blood. High levels of potassium can develop into a condition known as hyperkalemia, which in severe cases can lead to kidney failure, muscle paralysis, irregular heart rhythm, and cardiac arrest.
When taken alone, spironolactone can be quite effective. In looking at the medical records of 85 women who took spironolactone, researchers found that 1/3 of the women had complete clearing and 1/3 had noticeably less acne.
Spironolactone has been shown to be a tumorigen in chronic toxicity studies in rats (see PRECAUTIONS). Spironolactone should be used only in those conditions described under INDICATIONS AND USAGE. Unnecessary use of this drug should be avoided.
For moderate to severe acne, you may need oral antibiotics to reduce bacteria. Usually the first choice for treating acne is a tetracycline (minocycline, doxycycline) or a macrolide (erythromycin, azithromycin).
Once you start using birth control for acne, it takes some time for your body to get used to the new hormone levels. One drawback is that your acne may flare before things get better. This is only temporary and should improve as your hormone levels adjust.
Other side effects of Yaz include menstrual changes, irritability, decreased libido (sex drive), and weight gain. Other side effects of Yasmin include premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and stomach pain or discomfort. Yaz and Yasmin can also cause serious side effects such as blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.