Spironolactone has been known to cure several disorders ranging from high blood pressure, to fluid retention. Though Spironolactone is not recognized by U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an effective acne treatment, it is widely used as an off-label treatment of acne. Spironolactone is usually used as an acne treatment system for women only.
This acne treatment medication isn’t the first line of safety against the acne breakouts. It is used as an effective acne treatment for breakouts caused by hormonal fluctuations. Spironolactone is specially used as an acne treatment for women suffering from hormonal disorders that trigger acne. There are many acne treatment products available in the market, which have spironolactone as an active ingredient. Spironolactone is commonly available under the brand name Aldactone.
How does spironolactone help in curing acne?
Spironolactone falls under the type of drugs that are classified as anti-androgens. Androgen hormones such as testosterone are typically known as male hormones. However, they are also found in the female body, in lower levels.
There are some women who produce more testosterone than required. Spironolactone is an anti-androgen that blocks the receptors in the body, preventing the cells from absorbing these hormones. Spironolactone thus limits the hormonal fluctuations which cause acne breakouts, thereby reducing the occurrence of pimples.
Due to the way in which spironolactone work, only those women who have acne breakouts due to hormonal fluctuations will be benefited by it. Only in cases of hormonal disturbances, oral acne medications based on spironolactone can be taken. If your acne breakouts do not have any connection with hormonal changes in the body, then you may not benefit much from this medication. Consult your doctor to find out if spironolactone is the right acne treatment for you.
Common acne treatment directions using spironolactone:
If you are using spironolactone as an acne treatment system, then the most common dosage should be between 50 to 100 mg daily. There are some dermatologists who may start off by prescribing 25 mg initially; and then work up to the target dosage which includes a course of several weeks.
It is recommended that you consult your dermatologist before opting for a spironolactone based acne treatment. Your doctor can best determine the most suitable dosage for you, based on your personal situation.
If your acne breakouts usually tend to occur just around the time of your monthly cycle, then your dermatologist may decide to use spironolactone as your acne treatment, for the week just before your period.
