Spironolactone Treatment of Porphyria Cutanea Tarda-Associated Hirsutism

    January 1994 in “ Journal of Dermatological Treatment ”
    Gillian Gibson, Gillian Murphy
    Image of study
    TLDR Spironolactone helped reduce excessive facial hair in a woman with porphyria cutanea tarda.
    In 1994, Gibson and Murphy reported the beneficial effects of spironolactone on a 38-year-old female patient with porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT)-associated hirsutism. The patient had a history of blistering on her hands and feet and marked facial hirsutism requiring twice-daily shaving. After achieving clinical and biochemical remission of PCT with chloroquine phosphate treatment, her hirsutism persisted. Spironolactone was then administered, starting at 50 mg daily and increasing to 100 mg daily after one month. Within six months, the patient saw a significant improvement in her hirsutism, with reduced shaving frequency and area affected. No side effects were reported from the spironolactone treatment. The study suggests that spironolactone is a useful therapeutic option for women with persistent PCT-associated hirsutism, although it is not a licensed use of the drug and long-term administration should be approached with caution due to potential liver complications associated with PCT.
    Discuss this study in the Community →

    Research cited in this study

    1 / 1 results

    Related Community Posts Join

    6 / 407 results

      community Spironolactone and pregnancy planning

      in Female  2 upvotes 2 weeks ago
      A user with AGA uses topical spironolactone 2% due to side effects from the oral form and is concerned about its use during conception and breastfeeding. They seek alternatives to prevent AGA relapse while planning pregnancy and after childbirth.

      community spironolactone pills to topical

      in Research/Science  6 upvotes 1 month ago
      Crushing spironolactone pills and combining them with minoxidil for topical application may be effective for hair loss, with the addition of finasteride suggested. Adding rosemary and peppermint oils can help mask the unpleasant smell.

      community Does the effect of spironolactone on androgenetic alopecia really weaken over time?

      in Female  4 upvotes 3 months ago
      Spironolactone can remain effective for a long time in treating androgenetic alopecia, but it may not completely stop hair loss. Hair loss treatments like spironolactone, finasteride, and dutasteride slow down hair loss rather than cure it, and their effectiveness can vary based on individual response and the aggressiveness of the condition.

      community Spironolactone VS dutasteride for female pattern hair loss

      in Treatment  7 upvotes 8 months ago
      Spironolactone is more potent and lowers testosterone and DHT, while dutasteride only impacts DHT. For female hair loss, checking hormones and considering treatments like oral minoxidil, spironolactone, or topical minoxidil is recommended.

      community Spironolactone, what do you think?

      in Finasteride/Dutasteride  4 upvotes 10 months ago
      A user is considering Spironolactone for hair loss but is advised against it due to its effects on testosterone. Instead, they are recommended to try finasteride at 18 and consider dutasteride if needed.

    Related Research

    5 / 5 results