Spironolactone versus placebo or in combination with steroids for hirsutism and/or acne
April 2009
in “Cochrane library”
TLDR Spironolactone may reduce excessive hair growth in women but its effectiveness for acne is not supported.
The document reviewed the effectiveness of spironolactone, an antiandrogen and aldosterone antagonist, in treating hirsutism and acne in women. Nine trials were included in the review, with only one addressing acne as an outcome. The review found evidence suggesting that spironolactone can effectively reduce hirsutism, as two trials comparing 100 mg of spironolactone with placebo showed significant subjective improvements in hair growth. However, there was no evidence supporting its effectiveness for treating acne vulgaris. The studies were limited in number and size, making it difficult to generalize the results. Despite some individual study data indicating spironolactone's superiority over other drugs for hirsutism, the overall lack of data means that more research is needed in this area.
View this study on cochranelibrary.com →
Cited in this study
research Cyproterone acetate for hirsutism
Cyproterone acetate with estradiol may subjectively improve excessive hair growth in women, but it's not clinically better than other treatments.
research Use of cyproterone acetate, finasteride, and spironolactone to treat idiopathic hirsutism
All three treatments reduce hirsutism, but spironolactone works best long-term.
research Comparison of spironolactone and spironolactone plus finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism
Spironolactone plus finasteride works better for treating hirsutism.
research A prospective randomized trial comparing finasteride to spironolactone in the treatment of hirsute women
research Lack of effect of spironolactone on hair shaft diameter in hirsute females
Spironolactone did not make hair thinner in women with excess hair growth.
research Lack of Effect of a Spironolactone-Containing Cream on Hair Growth in Hirsute Women
The spironolactone cream did not reduce hair growth in women with hirsutism.
research Spironolactone in combination drug therapy for unresponsive hirsutism
Combination drug therapy is effective for hirsutism that doesn't improve with just one medication.
research The effects of two doses of spironolactone on serum androgens and anagen hair in hirsute women
Spironolactone reduced hair thickness and some testosterone levels in women with excessive hair growth.
Related
research A comparison between spironolactone and spironolactone plus finasteride in the treatment of hirsutism
Spironolactone plus finasteride reduces hirsutism more effectively.
research A Novel Use of Spironolactone: Treatment of Hirsutism
Spironolactone is effective in treating excessive hair growth in women.