Are you currently taking or thinking about treating your acne with Spironolactone?
- Well here's some information to consider...
Spironolactone, also known as Aldactone or Carosp is a medication commonly used to treat high blood pressure and hormonal conditions. It's a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) that prevents the body from absorbing too much salt, keeps potassium levels from getting too low and blocks testosterone
The side effects of Spironolactone can be an issue as low sodium levels can cause unwanted, harmful side effects such as low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, muscle aches and seizures. Low sodium levels can also lead to severe dehydration on a cellular level and damage essential internal organs
High potassium levels can result in stomach pain, confusion, nervousness, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips, or weakness or heaviness of the legs
Over time Spironolactone can result in Gynecomastia in men, damage to the kidneys in both men and women, menstrual irregularities in women, as well changes in menstrual flow, missed periods, prolonged periods and infertility
Effects of Spironolactone
Bleeding gums
bloody or black, tarry stools
bloody urine
blurred vision
breast pain
chest pain
clay-colored stools
clear or bloody discharge from the nipple
cloudy urine
confusion
constipation
cough
dark urine
decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
diarrhea
difficulty with swallowing
dimpling of the breast skin
dizziness
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
drowsiness
fast or irregular heartbeat
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
heartburn
hives, itching, or skin rash
hoarseness
increased thirst
indigestion
inverted nipple
loss of appetite
loss of consciousness
lower back or side pain
lump in the breast or under the arm
muscle pain or cramps
muscle spasms or twitching
nausea
painful or difficult urination
persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
redness or swelling of the breast
seizures
severe stomach pain
shakiness and unsteady walk
sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal
sore throat
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach cramping, burning, or tenderness
swelling of the face, fingers, feet, ankles, or lower legs
swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
tightness in the chest
trembling
troubled breathing
unpleasant breath odor
unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
vomiting
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
weight gain
yellow eyes or skin
Irregular heartbeat
nervousness
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
reddened skin
weakness or heaviness of the legs
Uncommon (but documented) side effects
burning sensations in the chest or stomach
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
hair loss or thinning of the hair
erectile dysfunction
pain in the nipples
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
sluggishness or fatigue
Bottom line, maybe you should think again before using this medication for treating acne. There are much healthier and safer ways to lessen aldosterone / testosterone levels such as changing your diet or seeing a specialist for a bioavailable hormone replacement therapy
Book an appointment and discuss which options are best for treating your acne