Efficacy and Safety of Systemic Spironolactone for Acne in Female Patients in Sulaymaniyah Teaching Center of Dermatology

The study conducted at the Sulaymaniyah teaching center of dermatology evaluated the efficacy and safety of systemic spironolactone for treating acne in 47 female patients aged 12-38. The results showed that spironolactone is effective, particularly for women over 25 with abnormal testosterone and DHEA-s levels, with 83.3% achieving complete response. In contrast, all non-responders were under 25 with normal hormonal levels. The treatment was generally safe, with 55.32% of patients experiencing no side effects, although menstrual irregularity was the most common side effect reported. Overall, spironolactone is considered an effective and safe treatment for acne vulgaris in this demographic.