Spironolactone is not a cure-all pill and won’t rid you of acne forever. It is prescribed to be taken daily but according to Dr Mahto, acne can return when it is discontinued. “Spironolactone can be safely taken for many years if necessary,” she adds.
Can you stop taking spironolactone for acne?
If you are using other acne treatments in addition to spironolactone, you may eventually stop these but continue using spironolactone to prevent new acne from forming. This is because some of these other medications, particularly antibiotics, can become less effective over time.
How long do you stay on spironolactone for acne?
How long will I need to take spironolactone before I see an effect? Most women find that their acne starts to improve after about 3 months of treatment. Hair complaints take longer, and treatment usually needs to be continued for up to six months before the benefit can be seen.
Can you stop taking spironolactone suddenly?
If you stop taking it suddenly: If you stop taking this drug, you may start retaining water. You may also have a sudden increase in your blood pressure. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke. If you don’t take it on schedule: If you don’t take this drug on schedule, your blood pressure might not be controlled.
Why am I still breaking out on spironolactone?
The reason spironolactone is still fairly unheard of by acne sufferers is likely due to its main use: treating high blood pressure and heart failure. While I’d taken the birth control pill since I was a teenager in an effort to combat period-induced breakouts, spironolactone works a bit more aggressively.
Is 50 mg of spironolactone enough for acne?
Spironolactone will help with acne on the face, back, and chest. The majority of sides effects associated with spironolactone are dose dependent; low-dose therapy (25–50 mg daily) generally is well tolerated, and even 100 mg daily is not problematic in most cases.
Do I need to wean off spironolactone?
The reality is that spironolactone only works when you’re on it. If you do stop taking it, it’s possible that your hormonal acne will come back. “If you go off, then the effect of the body’s hormones will go back to what it was before you started,” says Dr. Zeichner.
How many mg of spironolactone should I take for acne?
The dosage of spironolactone for acne is 25-200 mg/day in one to two divided doses.
What does spironolactone do to your body?
Spironolactone is in a class of medications called aldosterone receptor antagonists. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and sodium from the body into the urine but reduces the loss of potassium from the body.
Does spironolactone make your breasts bigger?
In women, spironolactone can cause menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness, and breast enlargement. Aside from these adverse effects, the side effects of spironolactone in women taking high doses are minimal, and it is well tolerated.
Is there an alternative to spironolactone?
Amiloride and triamterene may be used instead of spironolactone. They have a direct effect on the renal tubule, impairing sodium reabsorption in exchange for potassium and hydrogen.
Should I drink more water when taking spironolactone?
Be sure to drink adequate water while taking spironolactone. Watch for signs of dehydration, including: excessive thirst.
Who should not take spironolactone?
a condition where the adrenal glands produce less hormones called Addison’s disease. low amount of sodium in the blood. high levels of potassium in the blood. acute kidney failure.
How long does it take to see results from spironolactone?
Spironolactone results typically appear within a few weeks, but Zeichner says the drug reaches “peak effect” at around three months.
Does your skin get worse before it gets better on spironolactone?
While Spironolactone can cause drastic improvements in your skin, you won’t get miraculous results overnight. “Most women should expect it to take around 3 months for the benefits to start showing. In my experience of prescribing the drug, it is not uncommon for spots to flare up initially before starting to settle.
How long does spironolactone stay in your system?
Spironolactone is metabolized into active sulfur-containing substances, and peak concentrations are reached within three to five hours. The effects of one dose of spironolactone usually last for 24 hours.