Your skin has tiny apertures (opening) which are home to follicles. When oily secretions of your skin’s glands block these apertures, you may encounter an onset of acne. Though the impact is felt on many parts of your body, your face remains more vulnerable. However, you tend to witness acne on your chest, neck, shoulders and back. In this light, drugs like spironolactone are widely administered. But, how long does it take for this med to start working? It becomes a vital thing to know more on this.
Acne is a common skin condition which commences during the time of puberty. Its effects are acute among those with oily or greasy skin. Some people believe that an unbalanced diet or improper hygiene are likely triggers. But these are not the actual causes. Instead, hormonal changes and genetic factors play a big role in your getting it.
What is spironolactone?
This is an orally administered med, approved by US-based food and drug administration (FDA) for treatment several health conditions. These include conditions such as edema (due to renal or liver-based disorders), heart conditions / cardio-vascular problems, etc. Spironolactone is essentially a diuretic; its chief function is to eliminate excessive build-up of sodium salts and fluids inside your system. Excessive salts and liquids are discharged through urination.
The key ingredients of spironolactone work by inhibiting the hormone called aldosterone. This action plays a key role in regulating pressure levels as well as circulation of blood. As an off-label use, spironolactone is used for treating acne. It can be taken for mild to acute spells of acne. Androgen is a male-sex-hormone; it is one of the reasons for excessive production of oil in skin. Over a period of time, such excessive level of oil may plug the pores (follicles) and thus cause acne.
How long does spironolactone take to start working for acne?
You need to know there are several forms of acne. Of the various types, spironolactone works best to treat hormones-triggered acne. This form of skin condition is a result of hormonal fluctuations. Such fluctuations are instrumental in altering oil secretion, and work as a catalyst to skin problems.
No two persons with acne are administered with a similar dosage plan. Your treatment varies based on your age, gender, how severe is your skin condition, prior illnesses / clinical history, etc. Your treating doctor will start treating acne with spironolactone at lower dosage levels. The initial dose hovers in the range of 25 milligrams to 75 mg. However, if your skin condition persists, doses are increased to 100 mg or more (till 200 mg).
Time taken by spironolactone to treat acne depends on multiple factors viz., your genetic characteristics, intake of other meds – if any, presence of prior medical conditions, etc. In general, you may get to see positive results in between 12 to 24 weeks.
Side effects spironolactone is likely to trigger
This med may cause a few mild to severe discomforts / side effects. Milder effects are softening of breasts, drop in libido level, dryness of skin, loss of hair, frequent urges to urinate, turning more sensitive to sun’s rays, etc. In some people, a build-up of potassium is observed. It is a safe practice to talk to your doctor upon sensing any of these discomforts caused by use of spironolactone for acne.
A few acute side effects of spironolactone may also show up in one-off instances; these may include drop in renal function (decrease in filtering efficiency of your kidneys), an imbalance in levels of electrolytes, a few allergies such as inflammation of skin, formation of rashes or swelling of facial parts. Upon sensing any of the aforesaid side effects on using spironolactone for acne, you are advised to rush to a professional healthcare setting without any further delay. People living in the US dial 911 on a top priority basis. Those who are residents of the Canadian provinces must reach out to Health Canada.
Disclaimer
Information provided here are only of a supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggest that intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.