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Original poster

Spironolactone for acne

10 replies

FreePortForAll · 04/12/2023 12:13

Hello.
I also posted in Children's Health, but I think this board may get more traffic...
Wondering about experiences of Spironolactone for acne. In particular, has anyone's teenage girl been prescribed this? Any good? Any side effects? Want to embark on it fully informed...
Many thanks in advance.

OP posts:
muddyford · 04/12/2023 12:29

Several elderly relations are taking this to tackle fluid build up for heart failure and kidney disease. None of them suffer from acne so it must work!

Original poster
FreePortForAll · 04/12/2023 13:35

muddyford · 04/12/2023 12:29

Several elderly relations are taking this to tackle fluid build up for heart failure and kidney disease. None of them suffer from acne so it must work!

😂

OP posts:
Original poster
FreePortForAll · 04/12/2023 13:36

@muddyford , it's weird, isn't it?! I also had no idea it could be used in this way, but it has an anti-androgen action (usually seen as an unwanted side-effect in the context of the drug's diuretic use), which is apparently very helpful with acne for females.

OP posts:
TFMinx · 04/12/2023 13:41

I'm currently on it. Side effects for me are very dry lips, irregular periods and sunlight sensitivity; all easily dealt with in exchange for clearer skin!

TFMinx · 04/12/2023 13:42

I also have to have a blood test every three months as it can affect liver function.

Original poster
FreePortForAll · 04/12/2023 13:56

Thank you @Cookiesandbeans - really useful link. It does sound like it can be really effective. I'm a bit nervous about using it for a teenage girl (she's only 13), but her acne is getting her down so much it feels like it's worth a punt, and her dermatologist said side effects are usually minimal.

That's great to know @TFMinx - thank you

OP posts:
MaloneMeadow · 04/12/2023 14:05

Following with interest! DD has had really stubborn back acne for years that nothing topical can get rid of, so now considering medication. She doesn’t want to go on the pill due to the side effects and things aren’t bad enough for Accutane. Sounds like spironolactone could finally be the thing that suits her!

SpottyCrumpet · 04/12/2023 14:08

Has she tried anything topical? Presumably a doctor wouldn’t jump straight to this but I had excellent success with duac and would rather use than than take something that could damage my liver.

Original poster
FreePortForAll · 04/12/2023 14:15

SpottyCrumpet · 04/12/2023 14:08

Has she tried anything topical? Presumably a doctor wouldn’t jump straight to this but I had excellent success with duac and would rather use than than take something that could damage my liver.

Yes, she's tried a lot of topical things, plus oral antibiotics, and is under a dermatologist.

She would meet criteria for Roaccutane, but for a number of reasons, I'm cautious about this (perhaps too much so). I think the risk of liver damage is extremely low, and the blood tests are to detect electrolyte imbalances (which, again, are very rare).

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