To order "illegal" acne pharmaceuticals online

[QueenCamilla]

Now, I don't suggest anyone goes and tries to find the medication online.
I'm more bewildered that I had to take the matters into my own hands after doctors not taking anything relating to my adult hormonal acne seriously.

I'm also upset how long I had to suffer this issue when there was suitable medication available all along.

I'm talking about Spironolactone - a mild diuretic with anti-androgen properties that is cheap and prescribed on the NHS as a "water pill".

The drug has a long history and very low incidence of side-effects. It's use off-label to treat acne in women is also documented and effective.
Some of the side-effects in men used to be undesirable but these days... 🙄

I've had acne & often backne since early puberty. It affected me mentally. I spent way too much time hiding behind the makeup and I spent way too much money on creams, lotions, supplements - prescribed and not.
I've been on the pill since 14 with the pregnancy the only break.
I used awful chemicals with terrifying side-effects (Accutane, looking at you). Cause it's normal to prescribe something toxic that makes you bleed from your anus... 😕
Accutane only worked whilst in my system, then back to spots.

I read about Spironolactone. GP would not prescribe "off label". Private dermatologist would be this drawn out, expensive process with specific blood tests and monthly appointments.
I just couldn't sink in more money on yet another little known about "cure" that might or might not work for me.

So I ordered it online. From some country where Spironolactone is prescription free. And it helped! I'm totally, completely acne free for the past year. All of it is gone I get complinents about my skin often - the best of both worlds - skin that is not dry and spot free. Zero side effects. I don't even pee more than usual.

But here I am, feeling like a criminal, importing drugs from abroad in jiffy bags, texting to some burner phones (maybe I need one? 😁), taking a risk with what I'm taking. I'm actually more worried about losing my "dealer" and my clear skin!

Is anyone on Spironolactone prescription from their GP?
How did you get there?
If you take it via private - how much a month does it end up costing?
Should I own up to my GP and see if they prescribe it to me now that I'm sure it works?
Why is this use of the drug not "on label"? Probably something to do with the poor mens not being included.

I think you need regular blood tests whilst on that ? So it may be better to tell the gp so that you don’t put yourself at risk ? Acne can be horrendous though so I understand why you felt desperate enough to do this

I'm pretty sure that the blood tests are only done for the acne use, as a diuretic it just gets prescribed freely. And that's also confusing! It's like an obstacle course to get acne treated.

Obviously, the meds can have side-effects but the widely used Accutane seems nuclear in comparison.

I'm seeing my doctor next week to discuss some unrelated blood results.
I'll confess then and update what the outcome was!

I really don't want to be told off at 36 😳

I am seeing a private doctor for hair loss. She has recommended it. Her private prescriptions are £75 and the tablets themselves are then very cheap.

We will be ttc soon and you can't take them if you're planning to be pregnant but I'll be taking it once my family is complete.

I have pcos but all my bloods within normal range according to my GP so no treatmeant available to me on NHS, otherwise it's a drug the NHS could prescribe for pcos.

If you're on other medication or likely to be then you should fess up and discuss with your GP - BNF lists 210 interactions with other drugs.

Pleased you've found something that works for you without nasty side effects, hope you can keep it!

It's a nightmare getting acne sorted.DS 15 has been on antibiotics 19 months waiting for derm appointment at hospital.
19 months on antibiotics. Antibiotics that we are always being told to only take if absolutely necessary because we're developing resistance and they'll stop working and we'll all die of infection, medieval-style.... 19 months... that's almost 10% of HIS LIFE.
Now, I'm dreading his hospital appointment because I don't think they have much else to offer other than roaccutane. And if that's going to make him bleed out of his arse (I hear the jury is now out on whether it causes suicidal ideation...) I'm not sure he'll want it.

I have had this same issue for over 20 years and it’s so shit isn’t it, accutane was horrific! I think I would tell the docs but I hope you can stay on it and that I can try and get on it too 👀

It's not just a "mild water pill", it's a potassium sparing diuretic and you need regular kidney/electrolyte monitoring every 3 months at a minimum while you're on it or you could develop high potassium and/or kidney injury and not realise until you're hospitalised.

BTW high potassium can cause fatal heart rhythm disturbances and cause your heart to stop.

"Mild" as in it's not a strong diuretic. It also can lower the blood pressure but there are more effective drugs out there. My blood pressure hasn't been affected.

It's officially listed as a Very Safe drug and potassium side effects are on the Rare side-effects list.

It's much, much more safe than many drugs we take frequently.

But the main thing is: I'm happy to be monitored until the dose is established and the side-effects excluded. But I can't get GPs on board!

The private derm was happy to prescribe, after private blood tests + private appointments =££££

My illegal supply costs me around £20 a month.

Treating acne is for the cash rich, which is ridiculous!

Is he a sporty lad?

Unfortunately heavy exercise (I used to be at the gym 6 times a week) caused massive, massive flares in my acne due to effect of stimulating testosterone and inflammation.

He might get lucky to be one of those for whom Accutane is a permanent resolution. Unfortunately, wasn't for me.
And I just had to stop at some point as with the mucous linings drying out, there's risk of IBS and all sorts..

Antibiotics are also just so harmful long term... 😕

I just wish the medicine would focus on the hormonal treatment research for both sexes. Acne is a horrible condition that affects every aspect of life!

If you get it from a pharmacy it is. Buy it online and it could be anything. There's no way I'd risk buying drugs online.

YANBU. Tbh acne has such a huge impact on mental health that I wouldn't give a crap about peeing more 😂 I keep mine at bay with retinol but I still have worse times.

This drug can cause severe kidney injury and high potassium which can be dangerous to the heart. This is less likely when you’re 36 rather than 86 and obviously you’ve got away with it when establishing on it but I wouldn’t be taking it without any monitoring.

It also interacts with quite a few drugs, most particularly the common antibiotic they give for urine infections - the two compounded can cause significant high potassium.

Yeah, the PCOS angle.. I was also tested a couple of times - with Ultrasound definitely but not even sure if anyone has ever tested my testosterone precursors.

We have acne. But not the one deserving of treatment... 😐

It's not "prescribed freely" without kidney function monitoring!

www.bad.org.uk/pils/spironolactone/

Here is info from the British Association of Dermatologists. It is used but understandably GPs are not going to be willing to prescribe for an unlicensed indication without specialist advice.

Any chance you could see a dermatologist ? With their advice your GP may be willing to prescribe. I don't think its expensive so your GPs objection may be because of safety rather than cost.

I did A LOT of reading before I took the calculated risk. I do follow the official UK information that would be contained within the box of medicine and wouldn't use if I had other health conditions.

I had to be monitored for accutane. A much worse drug. And still all good blood wise (but bad side-effects).

My ex was monitored for blood coagulants and statins.
I am monitored time to time for the contraceptive pill (Weight, blood pressure).
My brother was monitored on ADHD medication.

Monitoring does not equal drug dangers. It's mostly a system to establish a safe dose.
I want to be monitored! I bloomin had to get weighed (I've been steady 8st most of my life) for the pill prescription in the middle of the lockdown whilst people were not checked for cancer!
I just don't understand why it can't be an accepted NHS route for Spironolactone.
The drug works!

Please do speak to your GP, they really must monitor your renal function at the very least.
What dose are you taking?

You can’t get your GP on board because they don’t have the jurisdiction to prescribe off licence drugs like this in these circumstances. They will probably take a shared care plan from a dermatologist. All your frustration is in part because you won’t pay for a dermatologist or get an endocrine/derm referral on the NHS, which is what you need. I also had adult acne and did 2 cycles of roaccutane so I feel your pain but you are not doing this in the correct way. I also went for all the tests for PCOS and all came back normal so I got denied spiro too, which is why I did roaccutane again as I was desperate. Ultimately it’s not really your GP’s fault, you need a specialist to prescribe it and hand over the care to your GP. That is how healthcare works in the U.K.

The trouble with prescribing off-licence is that if it all goes wrong and you came to harm because of the prescription, the GP was out on a limb and acting outside the normal, accepted treatment for a condition. It’s very hard to defend. It’s different for dermatologists because they will have more experience with using spironolactone for acne.

I would definitely not feel happy taking spironolactone without regular monitoring of my urea and electrolytes. Just because it’s listed as a “rare” side effect doesn’t mean you can negate it completely. There may be other factors that increase your risk, and anyway how would you possibly know if you’re not being monitored. You won’t know your potassium is high until it stops your heart. Not worth the risk IMO.

I don't want to confound two issues but I can't help but feel a certain amount of "injustice" when testosterone patches are discussed to be made available in pharmacies. Androgens for men are fine, anti - androgens for women hard to get.
Treating low estrogen also is the norm now.
My contraceptive pill (with all it's risks) is fine.

Most Gp’s will not take the risk, @OnOldOlympus is correct and it’s not reasonable to expect or demand them to. There is a good reason why medication is licensed and rules and regulations around off licence drugs in primary care

Watching with interest as my acne is terrible before my period but even the rest of the month I have lumpy toad skin. Have you got before and after pics OP?

You are going to have to find a specialist either to pay, or NHS. This is your only option. You can’t change or navigate drug licensing, however unfair it seems to be. You just need to suck it up and get it moving another way. It will not help you to go to the GP and say any of these things, ask them for assistance with a practical solution to obtaining this drug via a specialist