What is spironolactone used to treat?
Spironolactone is used to treat certain patients with hyperaldosteronism (the body produces too much aldosterone, a naturally occurring hormone); low potassium levels; heart failure; and in patients with edema (fluid retention) caused by various conditions, including liver, or kidney disease.
What is bad about spironolactone?
As a diuretic, spironolactone can increase urination and induce disturbances in fluid and electrolyte balance with increased potassium levels. If potassium levels increase, anticipated symptoms would include cardiac irregularities, leg cramps, dryness of mouth, thirst, lethargy, drowsiness, and headaches.
How long do you stay on spironolactone for acne?
Most women find that their acne starts to improve after about 3 months of treatment. Hair complaints take longer, and treatment usually needs to be continued for up to six months before the benefit can be seen.
What are the benefits of spironolactone?
Spironolactone is commonly known as a potassium-sparing diuretic, which means in exchange for relieving the body of sodium and water, it makes the body retain potassium. This is how spironolactone works to protect the heart, lower blood pressure, and help with any leg swelling that a weak heart can cause.
What happens when you go off spironolactone?
If you stop taking it suddenly: If you stop taking this drug, you may start retaining water. You may also have a sudden increase in your blood pressure. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke. If you don’t take it on schedule: If you don’t take this drug on schedule, your blood pressure might not be controlled.
What are the long term side effects of spironolactone?
The most common side effects of spironolactone are:
- Breast enlargement or swelling (gynecomastia)
- Elevated potassium levels in the blood (hyperkalemia)
- Decreased sexual drive.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Breast pain.
- Menstrual irregularities.
- Dehydration.
- Electrolyte disturbances.
Does spironolactone have long term effects?
Common side effects of long-term use of spironolactone during treatment for acne include irregular menstruation, urinary frequency, dizziness, headaches , nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and breast enlargement ( Shaw and White, 2002 ).
Will my acne come back after spironolactone?
Your acne can come back after taking spironolactone Spironolactone is not a cure-all pill and won’t rid you of acne forever. It is prescribed to be taken daily but according to Dr Mahto, acne can return when it is discontinued.
Is it safe to be on spironolactone long-term?
Conclusions: After 200 person-years of exposure to spironolactone and 506 person-years of followup over 8 years, no serious illnesses thought to be attributed to spironolactone were reported. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe.
Can you take spironolactone indefinitely?
Spironolactone is not a cure-all pill and won’t rid you of acne forever. It is prescribed to be taken daily but according to Dr Mahto, acne can return when it is discontinued. “Spironolactone can be safely taken for many years if necessary,” she adds.
Is it bad to be on spironolactone for years?
What kind of medication is spironolactone used for?
Spironolactone is known as a ” water pill ” (potassium-sparing diuretic ). Spironolactone has also been used to treat excessive hair growth ( hirsutism) in women with polycystic ovary disease. Spironolactone is available under the following different brand names: Aldactone.
When did spironolactone become an essential medicine?
Spironolactone belongs to a class of medications known as potassium-sparing diuretics. Spironolactone was discovered in 1957, and was introduced in 1959. It is on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication.
What are the side effects of spironolactone for women?
As such, your doctor may prescribe Spironolactone to specifically address your androgen levels; and in turn your possible symptoms of male-pattern hair growth (hirsutism), hair loss (called androgenic alopecia and usually referred to as female pattern baldness) and acne.
How does spironolactone inhibit the action of aldosterone?
Spironolactone inhibits the action of aldosterone by binding to specific receptors in the kidney where aldosterone controls the balance of salt and water in the body.