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.

Please do not buy anything off the internet. Go to your doctor. I have amazing skin now - thanks to an NHS dermatologist.

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 think "off label" is the issue. In many, many countries ( US included) Spironolactone is actually prescribed for acne more than other uses and is a recognised medicine to treat acne.

I did consult with a private dermatologist. The issue is the blood test for potassium - it's a test that's sensitive to the time of the day, it has to be taken from the vein, the blood has to be refrigerated and tested within a short space of time. That can only happen in certain labs and hospitals.
I was on the Kent coast - the nearest hospital available to test potassium privately was in London...
The cost of all of that would be pretty much prohibitive for what is a cheap, generally safe drug on the NHS.

You can test potassium anytime of the day. It comes under renal function blood tests and is fairly quick and simple test.

This is actually quite a dangerous medication, with serious side effects.

And if you arent having regular blood tests can lead to death.

Potassium test is part of a routine urea and electrolyte test. It’s not sensitive to the time of day and any NHS lab can process it! You don’t put blood samples in the fridge before centrifugation as the sodium-potassium pumps start to leak, and this leads to falsely elevated potassium levels.
You need to eat a low potassium diet when taking spiro, monitoring is very important!

Hi OP,

I feel your pain, I've been through two rounds of Accutane and it didn't 'cure' me either. I'm now on Spiro, prescribed by my GP. I have had blood tests at my local surgery to make sure my kidney function is alright whilst taking it. I wouldn't order pills online as that's just not safe for myriad reasons. You shouldn't have to fight to get prescribed Spiro though (unless your gp has some valid concerns about your suitability for it). Ask to see a different Dr? All my sympathies though, treatment for acne within NHS has been an exhausting nightmare for me too.

The issue is the transport time to the lab. During a long transit time the sample will haemolyse and give a falsely high potassium result.

An NHS hospital will analyse the blood samples on site. A private hospital may not have a laboratory on site, they may courier the samples to a lab several hours journey away.

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

My son took it in his teens and I don't remember hearing anything about bleeding from the arse being a side-effect! The only real side effect he had was dry lips, which he managed with lip balm and 8 hour cream. It was about 7 years ago now and he's barely had any spots since.

I don't have pics as I wasn't expecting it to work!
But I've gone from 2-3 new spots every day on my chin, jaw, temples and smaller ones on my chest. I have no spots now. None.
I want women to know about Spironolactone (Aldactone) and ask for it ahead of Accutane to dermatologists.
I didn't even know it existed most of my life.

Please dont go buying this medication yourselves.

Only take it if prescribed by a medical professional and you are having regular tests.

I see too many news articles about people dropping dead after buying pills off the internet.

I hope this post doesnt encourage people to buy this prescription only (for a good reason) drug over the internet.

I've seen people get kidney failure off this, as well as need to be hospitalised cos of high potassium.

Only take it if you are being monitored.

Ha, would have he told? 😳
I found myself on some Reddit where it was discussed freely 😁
It's a common side-effect of skin drying out there and starting to crack.

TMI warning!! But I had a bottle of lube next to my loo...

I hope this post doesnt encourage people to buy this prescription only (for a good reason) drug over the internet.

That's not the intention, but it's also unfair to paint this officially classified as "very safe" drug as some instant-death poison. Paracetamol kills.

I just want women to know about it and to ask for it on NHS and private health.
It could have changed my life much earlier.

I meant in general, as in listed as a common side effect, rather than specifically my son suffering from that. TBH I think he would have said if he had!

The research is there, I don't get the NHS reluctance!

Urea and electrolytes is one of the most common blood tests. I think any NHS lab can do it. Please don't take this drug without the proper monitoring.

That's not the intention, but it's also unfair to paint this officially classified as "very safe" drug as some instant-death poison. Paracetamol kills.

Exactly, even a drug as ubiquitous as paracetamol can be lethal if used incorrectly. Prescription only medication is prescription only for a reason, because it should only be used under the guidance of a clinician, who is qualified to ensure it is being used safely. Whichever way you cut this, what you are doing is dangerous. Unfortunately what you are saying here leads me to believe that you don’t fully appreciate the risks.

My 15 yr old did two different antibiotics 6mths of each . First one no inmprovement so when the GP prescribed the second one she also submitted a referal to Dermotology in case it didnt work (it didnt ) . Hes been under the Dermotology team for 10mths on Isotretinoin. 8wkly appointments , bloods for each app and a review of dosage (steady increase). His acne is nearly gone . The"re predicting another 4/6 mths and he will be acne free. Side effects in the first few mths were dry skin and a couple of light nose bleeds then nothing.

You are taking a huge risk you need to have regular liver and kidney function tests !

Exactly this.

you are seriously taking a huge risk with taking this drug.

Are you sure it’d be monthly appointments? My daughter saw a dermatologist privately in Australia and is just finishing up an 8 month course of roaccutane. (Very well tolerated, low dose, no areas bleeding, just dry lips and perfect skin now) and we had 4 appts in total.

Not too expensive, although private appts are government subsidised and it’s all all relative, I suppose. Similarly medications are either government subsidised or not so if doesn’t matter which doctor in which setting prescribed them. She didn’t need repeated blood tests either.

I don’t think it’s not “on label” due to misogynistic reasons, it’s also used frequently for men identifying as trans as an androgen blocker. And the trans lobby group is one of the most powerful men’s rights’ activists out there.

I think you should book with a dermatologist and confess, then ideally leave follow up to your GP. You’re more likely to need more faff and blood tests via someone who’s less familiar with the medication.

@Polecat07
How did it happen to you via NHS? Was it a suggestion of Spironolactone from your GP? Was it a dermatologist?

Thanks @Mocara - it's good to hear about a positive outcome.
it's just taken sooooooo long for DS's paediatric dermatology referral to come through. Doxycycline, lymecycline, erythromycin.... plus topicals. Nothing has worked. I really feel for acne sufferers- it is very very painful as well as being depressing to live with.

I got referred from my GP to dermatology for acne and also hair loss caused from covid. My nhs dermatologist prescribed it me and I have bloods done every 8-10 weeks. I also don’t pay for it.

@nolongersurprised

I don’t think it’s not “on label” due to misogynistic reasons, it’s also used frequently for men identifying as trans as an androgen blocker. And the trans lobby group is one of the most powerful men’s rights’ activists out there.

Well maybe Trans Politics will finally eek something out for us women. 😂
They seem to have a stronger influence on hormonal medication lobby than we've ever had!