Spironolactone experiences

[LaRevolution]

I have very sensitive skin that's always been "difficult" - acne since the age of about 12, but never severe enough to get me put on Accutane (and a family member had a very bad experience so maybe I didn't shout loud enough for it anyway).

I still don't know why causes my acne - FWIW my skin was clear and glowing whilst pregnant and generally improves in the week before my period, which I think is contrary to the science around hormonal acne!

I was diagnosed with a PPD allergy a few years ago, which cleared up dramatically.when I stopped dying my hair. However the spots I still have now (years later) are a bit like that, albeit much fewer, so I'm still not unconvinced it isn't an intolerance/allergy to something else.

Does Spironolactone just work on hormonal acne? Is there a definitive way to know what's hormonal acne and what isn't?! I avoid diary as I do think that makes it worse, but I don't think it's caused by a straight dairy allergy or intolerance, even though it might be a factor.

The spots are mainly on the sides of my neck although I get the odd few on my.forehead or cheeks sometimes.

Any thoughts on Spiro much appreciated!

Spironalacrone is a diuretic, so not sure how it would help?!

I haven’t tried it. I’ve read it’s an anti-androgen. One possible thing to try is spearmint tea- 2 cups a day- this is anti-androgenic too. I don’t know if it is as effective as Spironolactone though.

It's relatively commonly prescribed now for acne, particularly (I think) for hormonal acne.

Thanks for this - I did read a few things about spearmint tea a while ago, and bought some but never really commited to it. I'll look it up again!

It works beautifully for acne. I took mine after struggling with hormonal acne and it cleared up my skin and it stayed clear even once I quit the medicine.
The only side effect I had was peeing more frequently. Also, it can cause neural tube defects in a fetus, so make sure to talk to your doctor about that aspect if that is a concern.

It cleared up my dds acne that she only got as a young adult (20-23). She takes a pill and a topical for best results.

Even my dermatologist who is 55 says she takes a low dose as it keeps hers under control. No harm trying it.

Thanks @WelliesWithHeels and @Navyblueblazer, good to hear. Definitely no concerns re pregnancy but thanks for flagging!

I'd have to convince a GP to refer me to a dermatologist I think though, and it's a long wait round here. My skin doesn't look that bad, so I night not being considered suitable for it, but I'm a bit sick of it after 30 years 😳🙄

Unless anyone's had it prescribed by a GP? Or I could pay for a private consultation, but have no idea how much the private prescription would be.

It's a diuretic I take for high blood pressure. Had no idea it could have work for acne.

I do note I still get a pmt smattering break out.

I took it for a while and it was great for my skin (and hair). I had side effects that spooked me (lumpy boobs) so I stopped, but it was very effective at a fairly low dose (50). It was prescribed off licence by my GP, but I did have to do some convincing them and I do have a history of thirty years of various acne treatments for them to see on their screen!

You would probably have to drink 100 cups of spearmint tea daily to get the same effect.

Thanks @TreesWelliesKnees, that's interesting. I also have thirty years of the same, so hopefully it wouldn't be a struggle!

Although when I last asked my GP, ca 4-5 years ago, they couldn't prescribe it then. I could see a private dermatologist I've used before but I don't know how much the prescription would be. When I've used him once before, he wrote to my GP to recommend patch testing, which was then done on the NHS, but if he recommended Spiro I don't know if my GP could then prescribe or i'd maybe still need to see an NHS derm.

I've asked for a GP appt anyway, so can ask the questions.

I am in the USA but can you call the private Dermatology practices and ask their front desk or nurse about prescriptions ie. Are they covered by the NHS, how much does Spironolactone usually cost? Etc. Or your local pharmacist might be able to give you a ballpark figure.

That's my plan I think - will email the private dermatologist and ask, in theory, how it could be made to work. (I did find an online service that would prescribe it privately, once you'd submitted blood test results to them.) There's definitely disparity in the UK about GPs prescribing it, from what I read! Thanks for your thoughts - appreciated.

I can recommend Dr Rajpar https://www.midlandskin.co.uk/dr-sajjad-rajpar/ for spironalactone and other acne related care. He will do remote consultations.

Lymecycline worked brilliantly for DD

Roaccutane years ago worked amazingly for me

Spironolactone isn't as good as lymecycline so not sure why you're being offered it

Watching with interest, I’ve had three rounds of Accutane over the years, the last 18 months ago, and at the moment my skin is very much under control with that, however, my private dermatologist in London said that the next step would be trying Spironolactine and that he had great results with it. 12 months of Lymecycline did nothing for me but my acne was cystic and driven my PCOS/hormone imbalance. Accutane is awful to take, clears my skin beautifully, but usually after about two years of being off of it the cycle begins again.

Hi, what do you mean by isn't as good as? (Lymecycline did nothing for me the two times I've been on it, FWIW.)

@Thischarmlessgirl mine is also often cystic and, I think, hormonal. I have to say I'm loathe to take Accutane (even though saying that always seems to bring hundreds of people to these threads berating the person in question for not taking it 😁)

I've been on the lowest dose, 25mg for a few years and it works fantastically for hormonal acne

Thanks for this - was yours prescribed by an NHS derm?

I have PCOS and had terrible hormonal acne - I was privately prescribed Spiro and it worked an absolute treat, cleared my skin up and helped prevent excess hair growth. I would recommend it to anyone who has hormonal acne

@LaRevolution No, I'm in another country. Definitely worth going private though if needs be.

Hi OP, I've just yesterday paid to see a dermatologist and been prescribed it, our acne journeys sound very similar as have also just come off Lymecycline which did nothing for me (as did all other antibiotics over the years).

I had a course of Roaccutane in my 20's (now in 40's) and was half expecting to be prescribed that again yesterday (with some dread!), so was very happy when he suggested Spiro.

My consultation was £185 and prescription from local pharmacy was about £37 for 50mg six month supply (with option to increase dose to 100mg if not seeing results). I probably spend that on expensive serums I try in desperation to be honest! He said to use Epiduo about twice a week too (already have this from GP) and recommended the Cerave SA range alongside this.

Nice to hear it has worked well for others, I just hope this cracks it for me as I am so done with my skin! Good luck with yours.

I took it for a bit (private prescription from a dermatologist) but for my hair which all fell out after the second lockdown. I don't know how much it did for my hair - I stopped taking it for similar reasons as @TreesWelliesKnees - really sore tender boobs that just freaked me out. So maybe I didn't take it long enough for my hair to fully sort itself out, but I haven't had a cystic spot in the 18 months since I stopped, which I used to get regularly along my jawline.