Spironolactone
(Aldactone)
Basics
Spironolactone
is typically used as a water pill, however it has properties that make it
a very effective acne product. In regards to acne, spironolactone is an anti-androgen,
meaning that it helps to block the effects of the that contribute to acne formation. Spironolactone is particularly
helpful in treating hormonal acne
as well as certain forms of adult acne.
Spironolactone works as an acne medication in two ways. First, it blocks the androgen
hormone receptors. In doing so, it decreases the effects that the hormones have
on oil production, thus helping decrease acne. In addition, spironolactone blocks
the formation of androgen hormones which also helps to decrease acne formation.
This helps for both acne control and to prevent further breakouts.
Spironolactone
side effects
For
those using spironolactone to treat acne, the most common side effects of spironolactone
include menstrual irregularities and breast tenderness. These often resolve after
2-3 months of therapy but may persist. If this is the case, the addition of birth
control or taking the medication for 3 weeks with a week off every month may help
to decrease symptoms. The most potential serious side effect is increased blood
potassium levels although this is rare unless your are also taking other water
pills or have kidney problems. In addition, because spironolactone is used as
a medicine to treat high blood pressure, it may cause low blood pressure.
Because of these potential side effects, if you treat acne with spironolactone,
blood pressures should be followed and blood work is usually performed when starting
spironolactone as well as periodically during treatment.
Spironolactone
should not be taken by women who are pregnant or who are trying to conceive
due
to the potential effects it may have on a developing male fetus.
Spironolactone
(Aldactone) FAQ
1.
How long will it take to see the effects of spironolactone?
Typically, for
acne spironolactone treatment can take several weeks to show its true benefits.
The spironolatone dosage used differs among dermatologists but typically begins
with spironolactone 25 mg tablets taken twice daily with the dose eventually being
increased to target around 100mg a day.
2.
Is there a difference between spironolactone and aldactone?
No. Aldactone is
simply a "trade name" version of spironolactone. So, the use of aldactone
for acne, aldactone side effects, and normal doses of aldactone are indentical
to those of spironolactone.
home | about acne | acne treatments | product center | rebates | blog | about us | contact us | site map | terms of use
everything acne.com
is a division of Right Meets Left, LLC
Copyright © 2005 Right Meets Left,
LLC, All rights reserved
