Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing medication used as a diuretic medication for heart failure, liver disease and high blood pressure. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor. However, it has also been found useful for hirsutism, acne and seborrhoea because it has anti-androgenic properties.
The dose of spironolactone is usually slowly increased from 50 to 200 mg daily, taken at night. It may take six or more months to see improvement in the skin condition.
Side Effects
Side effects may include:
- Nausea, diarrhoea
- Drowsiness (possibly due to high blood potassium levels)
- Headache
- Menstrual cycle irregularities including increased frequency of menstruation, bleeding in the middle of the month or stopping periods altogether (amenorrhoea)
Generic names (Common brand names)
amiloride (Midamor, Amikal, Amilospare, Arumil, Modamide, Nirulid, Pandiuren), spironolactone (Aldactone, Adultmin, Aldopur, Aldospirone, Almatol, Berlactone, Diatensec, Diram, Esekon, Hypazon, Idrolattone, Merabis, Novospiroton, Osiren, Osyrol, Pirolacton, Resacton, Sincomen, Spiractin, Spiroctan, Spirolacton, Spirolang, Spironex, Tevaspirone, Verospiron, Xenalon Lactabs, Youlactone), triamterene (Dyrenium, Amterene, Diarrol, Diuteren, Dytac, Jatropur, Reviten, Suloton, Triamteril, Trian, Urocaudal)
* This list may not include all brand names.
