Spironolactone

January 2025

Aditya Kumar Bubna

spironolactone potassium-sparing diuretic antiandrogenic hormonal acne female pattern hair loss hirsutism androgen-dependent skin conditions

Studysummary This abstract reviews the use of spironolactone as a treatment for hormonal acne, female pattern hair loss, and hirsutism due to its antiandrogenic properties and favorable side effect profile, highlighting its value in dermatological therapies.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic with antiandrogenic properties, making it effective in treating androgen-dependent skin conditions such as hormonal acne, female pattern hair loss, and hirsutism. It is valued in dermatology for its favorable adverse effect profile.

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Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research A Case Series of 20 Women with Hidradenitis Suppurativa Treated with Spironolactone

54 citations , June 2015 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This study reports that oral spironolactone may be a useful and low-cost first-line treatment for hidradenitis suppurativa in women, with relatively few side effects.

research Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss with a Combination of Spironolactone and Minoxidil

21 citations , January 2007 in “Australasian Journal of Dermatology”

This case report describes how a 53-year-old woman with female pattern hair loss experienced further hair regrowth when topical minoxidil was added to her spironolactone treatment after initial results plateaued.

research Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss With Oral Antiandrogens

179 citations , March 2005 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that 88% of women with female pattern hair loss who received oral antiandrogens saw no progression or improvement in their condition.

research Acne: Hormonal Concepts and Therapy

118 citations , September 2004 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

This review discusses the role of hormones in acne vulgaris and highlights the need for further research on their mechanisms of action; it reports no new clinical results.

research Update and Future of Hormonal Therapy in Acne

78 citations , January 2003 in “Dermatology”

This article reviews hormonal therapy as a treatment for acne in women and suggests that emerging research on hormone synthesis and metabolism in the skin could guide future drug development.

research Beneficial Effect of Spironolactone on Androgenic Alopecia

20 citations , December 1997 in “Clinical Endocrinology”

This article discusses the potential beneficial effect of spironolactone on androgenic alopecia but provides no new clinical findings.

research Comparison of Finasteride Versus Spironolactone in the Treatment of Idiopathic Hirsutism

76 citations , December 1997 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that spironolactone was significantly more effective than finasteride in reducing hirsutism scores over 9 months, despite more side effects occurring in the spironolactone group.

research Comparison of Flutamide and Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsutism: A Randomized Controlled Trial

165 citations , February 1994 in “Fertility and Sterility”

This study found that flutamide was more effective than spironolactone in reducing symptoms of hirsutism and related conditions in premenopausal women, with fewer discontinuations due to side effects.

research Use of Spironolactone in the Treatment of Hirsutism

20 citations , May 1990 in “Cleveland Clinic journal of medicine”

This study suggests spironolactone, particularly when combined with an oral contraceptive or dexamethasone, may reduce hair symptoms in women with hirsutism, but it should be avoided during pregnancy and in women with a family history of breast cancer.

research Oral Spironolactone Therapy for Female Patients with Acne, Hirsutism, or Androgenic Alopecia

101 citations , January 1985 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article discusses oral spironolactone therapy for female patients with acne, hirsutism, or androgenic alopecia and reports no new clinical results.