Spironolactone for the Treatment of Acne: A 4-Year Retrospective Study

    January 2017 in “ Dermatology ”
    Radhika Grandhi, Ali Alikhan
    Image of study
    TLDR Spironolactone is effective and safe for treating acne with minimal side effects.
    In a 4-year retrospective study evaluating the use of spironolactone for acne treatment, involving 291.5 patient-years and 400 patients who had not previously used spironolactone, 86% showed improvement with minimal side effects. The study found that spironolactone is an effective second-line treatment for postadolescent acne, with a low risk of short-term adverse effects such as hyperkalemia. Combination therapy with spironolactone, oral treatments, and topical agents was the most common regimen among those who improved. Side effects were less frequent than previously reported, with only 0.25% experiencing menstrual irregularities, and no cases of estrogen-dependent cancers were observed. The study suggests that spironolactone is a safe and tolerable option for acne management and may reduce reliance on oral antibiotics.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 361 results

      community Longterm ru58841 users + my experience

      in Treatment  7 upvotes 3 months ago
      RU58841 users report mixed results, with some experiencing no benefits and others noting regrowth but potential side effects. Many prefer finasteride and minoxidil due to better-studied safety profiles.
      [object Object]

      community Is this hierarchy of topical anti androgens accurate?

      in Ketoconazole  7 upvotes 2 years ago
      User on fin, minox, and ketoconazole seeks to add another topical anti-androgen. Hierarchy of effectiveness: 1. RU55841, 2. Fluridil - Eucapil, 3. CB-03-01 - Breezula, 4. Ketoconazole; alfatradiol suggested as addition.

      community DHT blockers for women, and your experiences with them?

      in Female  6 upvotes 4 years ago
      A user shared their experience with Spironolactone for hair loss, noting it stopped hair loss and cleared acne but had side effects like frequent urination and potential kidney damage. They also mentioned Bicalutamide as a potentially more potent DHT blocker with fewer side effects and asked for others' experiences with DHT blockers for women.

      community Topical spironolactone question

      in Product  2 upvotes 1 year ago
      User started using topical spironolactone on scalp and face, experienced fever feeling and sluggishness. Asks if side effects are normal or systemic.

    Similar Research

    5 / 1000+ results
      Menopausal Acne – Challenges And Solutions

      research Menopausal Acne – Challenges And Solutions

      14 citations, October 2019 in “International Journal of Women's Health”
      Menopausal acne is treated with medications and lifestyle changes, but careful choice is needed due to side effects.
      Acne Vulgaris

      research Acne Vulgaris

      March 2017 in “InTech eBooks”
      Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that can cause low self-esteem and depression, and early treatment is important to prevent scarring.
      [object Object]
      Chemical Pharmacotherapy Options for Managing Adult Acne

      research Chemical Pharmacotherapy Options for Managing Adult Acne

      10 citations, January 2017 in “Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy”
      The conclusion is that more research is needed to better understand and treat adult acne, and that patient education and simple treatment plans are important for better results.
      Acne Protection: Measures and Miseries

      research Acne Protection: Measures and Miseries

      January 2019 in “ARC journal of pharmaceutical sciences”
      Acne can be managed with various treatments and requires psychological support due to its emotional impact.