Spiro or Spironolactone for Hair Loss?

[dimechiq]

If you used this, what was the mg and how long did for u to see less hair in your comb?

Did you use in combination with another treatment or pill?

Thanks ladies!

 

[dimechiq]

bummmmping!

 

[dimechiq]

anyone taken or taking this?

 

[BlackLoris]

I take 25mg twice a day for acne. I didn't know it was used to treat hair loss so I didn't associate less hair in the comb with the Spiro. My hair has definitely gotten thicker since I started using it though.

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

Glad you posted this. I'm interested, too. So, bump....

 

[chickory_bee]

I take Spiro but not for hair loss so I couldn't honestly tell you. I take 50mg daily, and have been for a while now.

 

[constance]

I took Spironolactone for acne but it is also used to treat hirsutism (excess hair growth) as well as hair loss. My dr. told me it was originally given to men undergoing sex-change surgery as it eliminates facial/body hair ~promotes feminization. In any event, here is a citation for Spiro and hair loss:

"It has been shown to arrest hair loss progression with a long-term safety profile. A significant percentage of women also achieve partial hair regrowth."
Innovative use of spironolactone as an antiandrogen in the treatment of female pattern hair loss.
Rathnayake D, Sinclair R.
Dermatol Clin. 2010 Jul;28(3):611-8.
PMID: 20510769 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Found on database "PubMed" (searched "spironolactone hair") search free at PubMed home

 

[dimechiq]

thanks ladies!

bumping

 

[gn1g]

I thought it was for hypertension. must be a multi-tab.

 

[JaelJael]

Saw palmetto supplements also act as a natural antiandrogen & thus may have an affect on hair loss/shedding like the spiro.

 

[dimechiq]

The sp was suppose to be good but it started my fibroids to hurting . I was using the Jarrow brand and Vitacost had them the cheapest. So they must have some hormonal activity going on if they did that.

Spiro is used for hypertension but it's also an antiandrogen, to counter female hair loss thats hormonally caused.

 

[dimechiq]

Thanks ladies!

Bumping!

 

[shunemite]

Spironolactone (Name brand: Aldactone) is a weak diuretic primarily, meaning that it causes your kidneys to make you pee out more water, thus lowering your blood pressure. However, it is not a strong diuretic, so it is usually given in conjunction with other high blood pressure pills when a patient has high blood pressure.

Spironolactone also happens to be a steroid form of a drug that blocks testosterone. For women who suffer from hirsutism, a condition where they have excess hair on the face and the rest of the body, Spironolactone can be given to counteract these embarrassing visible hairs. The reason is that some terminal hair growth is androgen dependent. But the androgen can either ENCOURAGE or DISCOURAGE hair growth depending on the site on the body. In a man, for example, who is balding, the cause of it is sometimes testosterone sensitivity. The same testosterone in the same man promotes his facial hair. For this balding man, giving him Spironolactone can actually encourage hair growth on the head. In a woman with a mustache and beard from hirsutism, Spironolactone may cause loss of facial hair, and yet thicken scalp hair. Spironolactone, in daily doses of 50-200 mg, blocks androgen receptors. Spironolactone also decreases testosterone production, making it additionally effective for hirsutism.

The side effects of Spironolactone if taken primarily to encourage HEAD hair growth or discourage FACIAL hair growth will mainly be due to lower testosterone. In men, this can cause lower libido (can't get it up), so usually they would rather stay bald. Other long term side effects are kidney related: caution against renal failure. For women who expect to get pregnant, Spironolactone is class D (Fetal risk shown in humans; use only if benefits outweigh risk to fetus)

Other drugs that are similar to Spironolactone are Finasteride (Propecia), also a class D for pregnancy. It is only prescribed to post-menopausal women who cannot get pregnant.

Reference:
First AID for the Wards, 2010. Bushnan, V.

 

[yodie]

Has anyone quit taking spironolactone and started taking saw palmetto instead? if so, what were your results?

 

[Black NaijaAussie Barbie]

I'm currently on 100mg of Spironolactone to treat Hirsutism and PCOS, i've been on it for a year. I don't think its affecting the hair on my head though; just everywhere else. I doubt my doc will be taking me off it until i get visible results

 

[dimechiq]

Thanks so very much ladies!

Bumping!

 

[Adaoba2012]

I know that you ladies are interested in this drug to thicken up your hair but please be mindful that this is a prescription drug with side effects that may be hazardous. I recommend speaking to your doctor before starting any type of medication like this, especially when the primary indication for spironolactone is for hypertension and it is a potassium sparing diuretic. Some adverse affects can be hypotension (if you do not have hypertension) hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood) which can precipitate an arrhythmia, cardiac arrest or death if untreated. Please research all other ways to thicken up your hair before resorting to a prescription drug with potentially harmful side effects. I'm not trying to preach or anything but this is something we just learned about in school (I'm a third year pharmacy student). This medication can also cause abnormal periods or it can cause you to stop having your period all together among a bunch of other unwanted side effects. Just be careful and decide whether the benefit of potentially thicker hair is worth the risks. Also Finasteride is only to be taken by men and shouldn't even be prescribed to women. Yes it is similar to Spironolactone but it can't be substituted.

 

[dimechiq]

I know that you ladies are interested in this drug to thicken up your hair but please be mindful that this is a prescription drug with side effects that may be hazardous. I recommend speaking to your doctor before starting any type of medication like this, especially when the primary indication for spironolactone is for hypertension and it is a potassium sparing diuretic. Some adverse affects can be hypotension (if you do not have hypertension) hyperkalemia (too much potassium in the blood) which can precipitate an arrhythmia, cardiac arrest or death if untreated. Please research all other ways to thicken up your hair before resorting to a prescription drug with potentially harmful side effects. I'm not trying to preach or anything but this is something we just learned about in school (I'm a third year pharmacy student). This medication can also cause abnormal periods or it can cause you to stop having your period all together among a bunch of other unwanted side effects. Just be careful and decide whether the benefit of potentially thicker hair is worth the risks. Also Finasteride is only to be taken by men and shouldn't even be prescribed to women. Yes it is similar to Spironolactone but it can't be substituted.

I take spiro for other reasons than hair issues. And it's prescribed through a regular, licensed, dr.

But, some people do also take it just for hair loss, and as long as their dr assesses it and prescribes it, it shouldnt be a problem.

But thanks for the info .

 

[Jenaee]

*bump* I'm going to the derm wednesday & I'm interested in this for alopecia & acne. Unfortunatley, cortisone shots and antibiotics for acne haven't worked. I'm gonna bring up this med.

 

[CrueltyFree]

I took Spironolactone for medical issues but I stopped taking it in September. I had been taking it since January, along with birth control. I didn't notice any rapid hair growth or anything while I was taking it. I don't have those issues though. I thought you needed a prescription with this. I'd be careful

 

[reeko43]

I was prescribed Sprionolactone for treatment of PCOS. Not long after starting the medication, I began to break out in hives all over my body and had to be taken off immediately. Not sure about hair growth, I wasn't on the medication long enough. I would be careful about pursuing this avenue for hair growth.