These include managing acne and treating excessive hair growth.
This leads to symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid buildup.
High Blood Pressure
Spironolactone is FDA-approved to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
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This is one of the most common uses of spironolactone.
Spironolactone lowers blood pressure by increasing the amount of water and salt (sodium) removed through the urine.
Spironolactone is typically not used as a first-line treatment.
Its generally recommended when blood pressure remains high despite taking other medications.
It is considered one of the preferred add-on medications for people experiencing difficult-to-treat or resistant hypertension.
Spironolactone helps reduce the swelling by increasing urine output, offering relief from symptoms.
Too much aldosterone in the body can lead to serious heart problems, like heart attacks and strokes.
Spironolactone works for primary hyperaldosteronism by blocking aldosterone.
This reduces its effects and helps control blood pressure.
It is commonly used before surgery or as a maintenance therapy when surgery is not an option.
Its low cost is also a plus.
Acne
Spironolactone may be used off-label for acne.
Off-label prescribing is a common practice in medicine, often backed by clinical evidence of benefit.
Unbalanced hormones and overproduction of androgens like testosterone can contribute to acne.
Spironolactone works by blocking aldosterone and decreasing androgen hormone production (testosterone) in the skin.
Clinical studies have shown significant improvement in acne severity and quality of life in women taking oral spironolactone.
Spironolactone works for hirsutism by blocking the androgen hormones that cause excess hair growth.
Spironolactone usually isnt recommended by itself (monotherapy) to treat hirsutism unless you’re using effective contraceptive methods.
It can potentially cause harm to a fetus if taken while pregnant.
Female-Pattern Hair Loss
Another off-label use of spironolactone isfemale-pattern hair loss.
Its a common condition that affects women over 50 years old and presents as thinning hair across the scalp.
The effects of spironolactone on females for hair loss are mediated through the drugs antiandrogen effects.
Blocking androgens prevents excesssebum productionand related changes inhair follicle growththat lead to thinning and hair loss.
Be sure to take spironolactone as prescribed, and do not stop it abruptly.
Summary
Spironolactone is a versatile medication with both FDA-approved and off-label uses.
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