Unlike Accutane, Spironolactone will only provide benefits while the patient is actively using it. Long-term use isn't dangerous; however, it is designed to only treat acne while active. Weaning off of Spironolactone does not mean all of your acne will come back, either.
Spironolactone only works while you are taking it. This means your acne may come back when you stop. Women may be on Spironolactone for 1 or 2 years or sometimes for several years. Spironolactone can cause side effects.
If you stop it too soon, your condition may get worse. If you're taking it for oedema, stopping it can cause fluid to build up in your body again. If you are taking it for high blood pressure (hypertension), stopping it can cause your blood pressure to rise again.
How Long Does Spironolactone Stay In Your System? Spironolactone has a relatively short half-life of about 1.4 hours, meaning it does not stay in your system for long. However, its metabolites can have longer half-lives, remaining in the body for several days before being fully eliminated.
Common side effects of long-term use of spironolactone during treatment for acne include irregular menstruation, urinary frequency, dizziness, headaches, nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and breast enlargement (Shaw and White, 2002).
Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms. High Potassium Level (Hyperkalemia). Spironolactone can cause a high potassium level (hyperkalemia) which can be serious and lead to death.
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.
Sequence TP was where patients received spironolactone 50 mg/day for 30 days, then a washout period, where no treatment was administered for 7 days, followed by placebo for 30 days.
Cystic acne happens when skin pores become clogged, then infected. It's common along the jawline and on the chin. However, spironolactone can also block testosterone and cause breast development in men, which is why it's only prescribed to women. Spironolactone might not be the right treatment for all women with acne.
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.
Skin purging is not common on spironolactone, unlike retinoid therapy. The flipside is that you won't get outstanding results in the first few weeks. Most women should expect it to take around 12 weeks for the benefits to start showing.
Dosing Guidelines. Guidelines for spironolactone use in acne include: The dosing is generally between 50 and 200 milligrams (mg) by mouth daily.
If you're using an acne treatment, you'll likely need to keep using it, or your acne may come back. Acne treatment helps reduce bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells to keep your pores clear. The prescription isotretinoin is the exception to this rule.
Alternatives to Spironolactone
Oral Contraceptives: Birth control pills hat contain both oestrogen and progestin can be an effective hormone therapy for women with acne. They work by regulating androgens. Topical Retinoids: Tretinoin, Adapalene, and Tazarotene are commonly prescribed for various types of acne.
Recurring breakouts could be caused by dry skin, which prompts your skin to respond by producing too much oil. Even if you have oily skin, moisturizer is important and the Ultra-Hydrating Moisturizer uses an anti-shine finish to hydrate your skin without the oily appearance.
Conclusion: Spironolactone is an effective and safe treatment for hyperandrogenic skin disorders, showing long-lasting effects even several months after its discontinuation.
Unlike Accutane, Spironolactone will only provide benefits while the patient is actively using it. Long-term use isn't dangerous; however, it is designed to only treat acne while active. Weaning off of Spironolactone does not mean all of your acne will come back, either.
Anti androgen treatments are helpful in treating hormonal acne as they address the underlying cause of the acne. They are also very effective for many people and can mean that other treatments that either cause irritation (such as creams) or are not good in the long term (such as antibiotics) can be stopped.
Does acne ever go away if you have PCOS? Because PCOS is a chronic condition, that means it doesn't (currently) have a cure; while that might be incredibly frustrating to hear, just know that there are treatments that can help to significantly reduce the symptoms of PCOS—even acne.
Spironolactone is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a diuretic and masking agent because it will dilute a urine drug tests.
Spironolactone can cause breast pain and breast enlargement in women. This is "probably because of estrogenic effects on target tissue." At low doses, breast tenderness has been reported in only 5% of women, but at high doses, it has been reported in up to 40% of women.
The most common spironolactone side effects are high potassium levels and breast tenderness. More pronounced feminine characteristics, such as breast growth, are also common.