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Spironolactone

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

  1. Bleeding gums

  2. bloody or black, tarry stools

  3. bloody urine

  4. blurred vision

  5. breast pain

  6. chest pain

  7. clay-colored stools

  8. clear or bloody discharge from the nipple

  9. cloudy urine

  10. confusion

  11. constipation

  12. cough

  13. dark urine

  14. decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

  15. diarrhea

  16. difficulty with swallowing

  17. dimpling of the breast skin

  18. dizziness

  19. dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

  20. drowsiness

  21. fast or irregular heartbeat

  22. fever with or without chills

  23. general feeling of tiredness or weakness

  24. headache

  25. heartburn

  26. hives, itching, or skin rash

  27. hoarseness

  28. increased thirst

  29. indigestion

  30. inverted nipple

  31. loss of appetite

  32. loss of consciousness

  33. lower back or side pain

  34. lump in the breast or under the arm

  35. muscle pain or cramps

  36. muscle spasms or twitching

  37. nausea

  38. painful or difficult urination

  39. persistent crusting or scaling of the nipple

  40. pinpoint red spots on the skin

  41. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

  42. redness or swelling of the breast

  43. seizures

  44. severe stomach pain

  45. shakiness and unsteady walk

  46. sore on the skin of the breast that does not heal

  47. sore throat

  48. sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth

  49. stomach cramping, burning, or tenderness

  50. swelling of the face, fingers, feet, ankles, or lower legs

  51. swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin

  52. tightness in the chest

  53. trembling

  54. troubled breathing

  55. unpleasant breath odor

  56. unsteadiness, trembling, or other problems with muscle control or coordination

  57. unusual bleeding or bruising

  58. unusual tiredness or weakness

  59. vomiting

  60. vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

  61. weight gain

  62. yellow eyes or skin

  63. Irregular heartbeat

  64. nervousness

  65. numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips

  66. rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin

  67. reddened skin

  68. weakness or heaviness of the legs


Uncommon (but documented) side effects

  1. burning sensations in the chest or stomach

  2. decreased interest in sexual intercourse

  3. hair loss or thinning of the hair

  4. erectile dysfunction

  5. pain in the nipples

  6. swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males

  7. 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


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