International Journal of Women's Dermatology

Spironolactone for the treatment of acne in women, a retrospective study of 110 patients

International Journal of Women's Dermatology

In a retrospective study, spironolactone at doses between 100-200 mg/day was effective for most patients.

2017

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5440451/

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology

Oral Spironolactone in Post-teenage Female Patients with Acne Vulgaris

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology

A review article that discusses acne in post-adolescent females and use of spironolactone in this population.

2012

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3315877/#B30

Journal of Dermatological Treatment

Comparison of the efficacy of 5% topical spironolactone gel and placebo in the treatment of mild and moderate acne vulgaris: a randomized controlled trial

Journal of Dermatological Treatment

Topical spiro reduced total acne lesion counts.

2010

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09546634.2010.488260

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Anti-androgenic Therapy Using Oral Spironolactone for Acne Vulgaris in Asians

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Spironolactone 200 mg daily resulted in excellent improvement in most patients; no lab abnormalities were seen in the subset of patients who were tested.

2006

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00266-006-0081-0

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Low-dose adjunctive spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women: A retrospective analysis of 85 consecutively treated patients

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Spironolactone at doses of 50 to 100 mg daily resulted in improvement in 93% of patients, ranging from partial improvement to complete clearance.

2000

https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(00)65020-X/pdf

The Japanese Journal of Dermatology

Topical Spironolactone Reduces Sebum Secretion Rates in Young Adults

The Japanese Journal of Dermatology

Topical 5% spiro gel decreased oil production at 12 weeks without any local side effects.

1996

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1346-8138.1996.tb04006.x

Europe PMC

Experience in the therapy of acne with topical administration of spironolactone as an antiandrogen

Europe PMC

Spiro was effective for treating acne after one month in this observational study (95% experienced improvement).

1990

https://europepmc.org/article/med/2150020

Europe PMC

Oral and topical spironolactone therapies in skin androgenization.

Europe PMC

Topical spiro seems to be effective without systemic side effects. Local side effects were few and mild.

1990

https://europepmc.org/article/med/2147469

Europe PMC

Topical spironolactone inhibits dihydrotestosterone receptors in human sebaceous glands: an autoradiographic study in subjects with acne vulgaris.

Europe PMC

Topical spiro competes with the binding of DHT at DHT receptors in sebaceous gland and acts as an antiandrogen. When applied to large areas, no side effects were seen.

1988

https://europepmc.org/article/med/2972662

British Journal of Dermatology

Comparative analysis of adverse drug reactions to tetracyclines: results of a French national survey and review of the literature.

British Journal of Dermatology

Common side effects of spironolactone include increased urination, headache, fatigue, dizziness, menstrual irregularities, breast tenderness, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and rash. Serious side effects may include irregular heart rate, little/no urination, and muscle pain/weakness. Allergic reaction to this medication is rare. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching/swelling (especially of face/tongue/throat), dizziness and trouble breathing. Spironolactone can cause severe birth defects. This medication should not be used by women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are at a high risk of pregnancy.

1984

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1984.tb04045.x