[dar917]

Hi guys, has anyone here taken spironolactone? I did some reading up about it and I think I want to try it for my skin problems. I'm still getting big gnarly cysts on my face, and my birth control and antibiotic don't seem to be helping. I don't get them anywhere else.

Apparently it's a diuretic that makes you expel more sodium, and keeps your potassium levels up, which makes me wonder if they'll even let me try it. It works on your skin by blocking androgens and testosterone in the body which cause cysts, caused by a hormone imbalance.

it didn't say anything about diabetics shouldn't take it, so I dunno. I'm way too scared of the side effects to try accutane, and there's too much other paperwork and hassle to go through to get on it anyway. I think my next dermatologist appointment is next week. I should probably have my hormone levels tested so we can figure out WTF is going on. I'm just so sick of fighting with this ****; I'm too old for this!

[parrotletzoo]

My sister was type 2 and took spironolactone. She however had some serious medical conditions that left few other options for her. It can have some serious side effects too so talk to your doctor.

[Amelie]

Spironolactone is hard on the kidneys, and since diabetics are prone to kidney problems, I'm thinking that having something else stressing the kidneys might not be a good idea.

I used to take Spironolactone, for problems relating to my PCOS, but that was before I was diagnosed with diabetes. The Spironolactone never had the effect I was hoping it would have anyway, unfortunately.

[dar917]

Thanks; I just shot an email to the DE asking him about it too.

This is so depressing; I can't control it and I can't take stronger things that could potentially help?! Stupid body!!!!

[TonyO]

I took Spironolactone and did not like the side effects. It was effective in reducing water levels in my body but the physiological cost was too high. I stopped taking it and wished I had never taken it. I felt a lot better after I stopped. I did not like the hormone changes and not "feeling" normal. It was some time ago so my recall is not perfect. Also, I was on different medication so it is hard to know which one had which specific effect. What I know is that I would not repeat the experience.

[ant hill]

Do you like nuts of any kind? as that will help your skin and olive oil may have some effect.

[dar917]

OK, here is what my DE had to say:

Spironolactone sounds like a good next option. It does have some hormonal effects as well so as you start watch for any changes you notice. As it also acts as diuretic, you may notice increased urination and a potential decrease in blood pressure. One think they should be checking as far as lab work would be a potassium as it can increase your potassium level. Below I have included a little info on use of spironolactone in treating acne.

...


"4.5.A Acne vulgaris

1) Overview

FDA Approval: Adult, no; Pediatric, no

Efficacy: Adult, Evidence favors efficacy

Recommendation: Adult, Class IIb

Strength of Evidence: Adult, Category B

2) Summary:

Oral and topical spironolactone are effective in the treatment of acne (Vincenzi et al, 1993a; Hughes & Cunliffe, 1988a; Hatwal et al, 1988; Goodfellow et al, 1984)

3) Adult:

a) General Information

1) In open and controlled trials, oral spironolactone 50 to 200 milligrams daily has been effective in the treatment of acne vulgaris. The optimal dose appears to be between 150 to 200 mg daily. Clinical severity of acne (ie, number of lesions) and sebum excretion have decreased significantly following oral treatment with spironolactone (Vincenzi et al, 1993a; Hughes & Cunliffe, 1988a; Hatwal et al, 1988; Goodfellow et al, 1984).

b) Clinical Studies

1) Low-dose SPIRONOLACTONE alone or combined with other therapeutic agents was well-tolerated and beneficial for the treatment of facial acne in 85 consecutive women, based on a retrospective chart review. Dosing of spironolactone was 50 to 100 milligrams/day; length of treatment varied from 2 to 24 months (mean 10 months). Enrolled patients had inflammatory papular or nodular acne that was considered moderate to severe; most (89%) had failed previous therapy (antibiotics, contraceptives, isotretinoin) and in 80%, the acne seemed to be hormone-related. Twenty percent of the cohort used spironolactone alone, 54% used it in combination with systemic antibiotics, 12% used it with oral contraceptives, and 14% used spironolactone plus antibiotics and oral contraceptives. Of 73 evaluable subjects, 33% found that spironolactone cleared their acne, and another 33% reported marked improvement. Partial improvement occurred in 27.4%, and no improvement in 5 patients. A majority of the group (57.5%) experienced no adverse effects. Menstrual irregularities occurred in 17.5%; central nervous system (CNS) effects (lethargy, fatigue, dizziness, headache) were reported in 16.3%. Five patients dropped out due to CNS effects. Blood pressure was measured in 19 patients; there was a mean reduction of 5 mmHg systolic and 2.6 mmHg diastolic. The authors noted that in other studies of spironolactone, higher doses of the drug (200 mg/day) were associated with higher rates of adverse effects, especially menstrual irregularities and breast tenderness (Shaw, 2001).
2) In a study involving 30 patients, daily application of spironolactone 5% cream for 2 to 6 months produced excellent clinical results in 60% of cases and good results in 17%. However, the study was based on subjective criteria with no controls (Messina et al, 1985)."

It doesn't sound nearly as bad as Accutane anyway. The only way to know how it will affect me is to try it.

Peter, I do like nuts; I always have peanuts or almonds around to snack on. I tried an evening primrose oil supplement for a while, which is also supposed to regulate your hormones but it didn't help very much.

[ant hill]

Originally Posted by dar917

Hi guys, has anyone here taken spironolactone? I did some reading up about it and I think I want to try it for my skin problems. I'm still getting big gnarly cysts on my face, and my birth control and antibiotic don't seem to be helping. I don't get them anywhere else.

Are you sure it's not Acne Darlene??

Originally Posted by dar917

This is so depressing; I can't control it and I can't take stronger things that could potentially help?! Stupid body!!!!

Aww Dar. "Sniff"

Originally Posted by ant hill

Do you like nuts of any kind? as that will help your skin and olive oil may have some effect.

Is there a better natural drug other than this radical pill Darlene as I just don't like drugs full stop.
Sorry Darlene that I cannot help you.

[Funnygrl]

Spironolactone just causes your body to retain K a little more. If you weren't having problems with your potassium levels before and you don't have other health issues, I really can't imagine it pushing your K up too high. I'd also imagine you'd be on a low enough dose that it wouldn't effect your kidneys badly.

[dar917]

Originally Posted by Funnygrl

Spironolactone just causes your body to retain K a little more. If you weren't having problems with your potassium levels before and you don't have other health issues, I really can't imagine it pushing your K up too high. I'd also imagine you'd be on a low enough dose that it wouldn't effect your kidneys badly.

Yep; much less scary than Accutane anyway!

Originally Posted by ant hill

[font="Comic Sans MS"][color="Blue"]Are you sure it's not Acne Darlene??

Yep; it's a really bad type of acne caused by a hormone imbalance and too much testosterone.

Originally Posted by ant hill

Is there a better natural drug other than this radical pill Darlene as I just don't like drugs full stop.

I know, I don't either but you can't treat this stuff from the outside really; nothing else works. I've tried changing my diet and everything and I STILL get it.

[Keezheekoni]

If you have any allergies to sulfa, don't take it. Other than that, it's fine. The diuretic in spironolactone is sulfa based.

Just because you mentioned Accutane... I took Accutane when I was a teenager. I loved the stuff, but you have to be *really* careful that you don't get pregnant while on it. Accutane took my cystic acne away in two weeks, and I didn't have to take it for more than 2 months. It dried everything out though.

[dar917]

Originally Posted by Keezheekoni

If you have any allergies to sulfa, don't take it. Other than that, it's fine. The diuretic in spironolactone is sulfa based.

Just because you mentioned Accutane... I took Accutane when I was a teenager. I loved the stuff, but you have to be *really* careful that you don't get pregnant while on it. Accutane took my cystic acne away in two weeks, and I didn't have to take it for more than 2 months. It dried everything out though.

What dosage of Accutane were you on?

My dermatologist appointment was yesterday morning; she put me on 50mg/day of Spironolactone. I'm going to wait to start taking it till Monday though just because I have to work all weekend and don't want to be running to the bathroom every five minutes.

[Cloudedbrains]

I've never had this but about 5 1/2yrs ago my mum almost died (for reasons I wont mention) but when she sweeled up and kept on two much sodium as part of the illness that almost killed her she was given the drug IV
Different situation I know but it worked well for mum with no side-effects and was a life-saver

Best of it is it cleared up her pre-existing skin ulcers and/or areas of skin that were sorta being eaten away by themeselves

[dar917]

Have been taking the Spiro for a few weeks now and it's working great! Nice to FINALLY find something that WORKS.