Spironolactone for Acne

[iamcreamsoda]

What is Spironolactone?

[lindamm]

I was just reading this so thought I'd post it:

Spironolactone has several properties that make it suitable for use in treating hirsutism. It interferes with the production of testosterone and it increases the metabolism of any testosterone that is produced. Spironolactone binds to cell androgen receptors and blocks them from binding to naturally produced androgens. In addition with long term spironolactone use, there is a gradual reduction in 5 alpha reductase activity. It is this enzyme that converts testosterone to the more potent, hair follicle stimulating, dihydrotestosterone.

Also:

Finasteride (marketed as Propecia and Proscar)

Promoted for use in treating pattern baldness and benign prostate hyperplasia, respectively, it's a type II 5alpha reductase inhibitor. This enzyme blocks the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a potent stimulator of hair loss in scalp follicles and hair growth in body hair follicles that have androgen receptors.

When finasteride was tested on postmenopausal women with pattern baldness there was little or no response. However, in trials for hirsutism finasteride has some significant promise. Results with finasteride alone in some trials have been comparable with oral antiandrogens, and the combination of finasteride plus other antiandrogens have shown an improved effect over using treatments separately. Although it may not be an appropriate treatment in every situation, finasteride is a readily available and relatively safe treatment option. The most significant side effect is that male fetuses will develop with female genitalia in any pregnant woman using finasteride. Consequently, dermatologists ensure one or more forms of birth control are used by any woman using finasteride. Other side effects reported include breast enlargement and increased libido (in contrast to decreased libido in men).

I've always thought it interesting that what causes hirsutism is the same thing that male pattern baldness.

It describes more treatments, including the CPA which isn't available in the U.S.

[url]http://www.hairfacts.com/methods/rxoral.html[/url]

[skimom]

Originally Posted by kathleen0604

Skimom--I think we talked a few months back about your daughter. I am the girl that lives in Adirondack,NY. You are such a good mom to do all this research for your daughter. My daughter is only 7, and I hope she never gets this terrible disease - ACNE. It must be heartbreaking for you..I can just imagine. Like others have said on this board, it seems like Spiro did the trick for most of us. The 25mg is too low, like Dr. Redmond said in his book (and I know you read it), the minimum dose for skin is 100mg-200mg. If your daughter sees no improvement on the 25mg, see if you can at least get it increased to 50mg. Isn't she also on Yasmin? This has 25mg of Spiro in it, so she could at least be getting 75mg. Nothing happened for me on the lower doses, until I hit 75mg and now 100mg. Let me know if I can help with anything for her.

Thank you for the kind words and concern, Kathleen. Yes, she pretty much leaves all the research to me. I just don't know if she appreciates it or if she thinks I am crazy I do know that she very patient. The derm gets back from vacation the same day as her appointment so I'll try and talk to him before he sees her. I am hoping that he is working her into it slowly and isn't just stuck on that 25 mgs. amount. I hate to feel like I need to tell doctors what to do. It's so annoying.

[kathleen0604]

I had a hard time conveniencing my derm to even start me on Spiro. I felt like I was begging and quoting Dr. Redmonds book the entire appointment and left defeated with my prescription for Minocin and Cleocin T.....what a waste of time. Next day I went to my endo who was willing to give Spiro a try, but only at the 25mg. I left that appointment with at least the Spiro Rx in hand even though I knew 25mg was too low. So, you are doing the right thing...your daughter has tried the lower dose with no success, the doctor will have to increase it. Good luck. Please update after her next appointment.

[Steffers2318]

I have been using Spiro for about a month (50mg) and I am really happy with the results...I still have some small zits but it's a big improvement. So 50 is low according to that book but I guess it just depends on the person. Drs. probably take your size/weight into account...100 would probably be way too much for me!