Spironolactone Side Effects

Spironolactone side effects should be considered before using spironolactone for acne treatment. And if you are considering trying it, please understand what spironolactone is before pursuing treatment.

What is Spironolactone? (spir ON oh LAK tone)

Spironolactone ("spiro") is a prescription medication diuretic that acts as a hormone blocker. Its main purpose is to regulate your salt absorption and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. It does this by blocking androgen (male sex hormone) receptors located on the cells of your body.

As a beneficial side effect, the receptor blockers also block the androgens that are responsible for causing acne. Less androgens generally means less acne: Hormones can cause excess sebum (oil) production in your skin glands, which can cause clogs/plugs to develop. You can read more about this on my hormones and acne page.

Spironolactone is taken orally as a pill and can be used with topical treatments to further enhance the results. It is more frequently prescribed for women, as the side effects tend to be less severe. You may see spironolactone sold under the brand name Aldactone.

Results

Studies have shown that spironolactone can cause a "significant improvement" for about 85% of women who take it by itself or with drospirenone, which is an oral contraceptive (Sources: Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, January 2008, pages 60-62 and Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, March 2005, pages 163-166).

Using spironolactone for acne treatment has been getting more popular recently. Anecdotal evidence and reviews from various sources on the Internet suggest that this drug does help with most cases and that it can be an effective acne treatment. However, there is still a sizeable minority that say spiro didn't help them at all, or even made their acne worse.

I haven't taken spiro myself, just because the side effects of spiro scared me as a guy and I found that other treatment options worked for me.

Spironolactone Side Effects

Side effects when taking spironolactone are quite common. For women, studies show up to 50% experience irregularities in their menstrual cycle. Some also experience breast tenderness, fatigue, and a headache. Be sure to not take spiro while pregnant.

Please note that the side effects for men are typically much more severe, as men are more dependent on androgens for normal bodily functions. The side effects listed below can happen to either gender, but males will typically have a higher chance of developing side effects and they will usually be more severe.

Note that since spiro is a diuretic you will find yourself having to drink more water, and will find yourself going to the bathroom more often. Since spiro keeps your potassium levels elevated, consult with your doctor about your diet and if there's any adjustments you should make.

Here are some of the potential "mild" side effects of spironolactone:

• vomiting or mild nausea
• diziness
• headache
• gas or stomach pain
• skin rash

Here are some of the more serious, but also less common side effects:

• tremors
• confusion
• shallow breathing
• slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat
• weakness or muscle pain
• numbness or a tingling feeling
• urinating less than usual (you should be urinating more)
• low fever
• loss of appetite
• dark urine
• clay-colored stools
• yellowing of the skin or eyes

If you experience these side effects please stop taking the medication and give your doctor a call.

Please consult with your doctor before pursuing spironolactone as a treatment option.

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