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A blood pressure medication that costs less than a penny per tablet may be able to eradicate severe acne in women and may provide an alternative to the current drugs that have been associated with mental health issues.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, spironolactone affects hormone levels that are believed to cause acne.
Although dermatologists have been prescribing it for skin problems, a first-of-its-kind clinical trial has shown that it can considerably reduce spots in six months.
Acne is one of the most widespread skin conditions, afflicting over one in ten adults. Specialists anticipate that the substance will alter the routine treatment of the condition in women. However, men cannot take it because its hormonal effect has been found to cause aberrant breast tissue growth in male patients.
Professor Miriam Santer, a general practitioner at the University of Southampton who headed the trial, stated, ‘We hope these results will encourage more physicians to prescribe spironolactone as an acne treatment.
The drug is already included in treatment guidelines for persistent acne in the United States and Europe. And we hope that this trial will contribute to a change in the guidelines in the United Kingdom.
Spironolactone is a diuretic that causes the body to excrete sodium and water in urine more quickly than normal. This helps remove water from the circulation, lowering blood pressure.
However, it also has a secondary effect on the hormones testosterone and progesterone, which are known to cause acne.
Recent research recruited over 400 women over the age of 18 whose acne had persisted for more than six months. Half of the participants received spironolactone while the other half received a placebo. At the beginning of the trial, 12 and 24 weeks into treatment, the women were asked to complete questionnaires regarding their acne and the quality of life associated with the condition.
Prof. Santer found that spironolactone improved acne in women more than a placebo. And side effects were infrequent and mild.
The majority of acne cases are treatable with over-the-counter medications, but severe cases may require antibiotics or other medications. If these treatments are unsuccessful, isotretinoin, a potent medication that can only be administered by a specialist and is commonly sold under the brand name Roaccutane, is frequently prescribed.
After reports that isotretinoin may increase the risk of mental and sexual health problems, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency issued new guidelines for prescribing the medication in April. There is also evidence that these adverse effects may have contributed to at least 88 cases of youth suicide over the past three decades. Approximately 40,000 prescriptions for isotretinoin are issued annually in the United Kingdom, and the substance is regarded as safe and beneficial for the majority of patients.
Health officials now say children will only receive the medicine if all other treatments fail and two doctors agree.
Prof. Santer stated, “Spironolactone gives us another option to try before isotretinoin.” ‘Also, isotretinoin cannot be taken on an ongoing basis. Spironolactone has a very low risk and can therefore be taken for as long as necessary.
Since beginning spironolactone three years ago, a participant in the study, Kelly Cornick, age 40, has been acne-free.
The government employee had tried antibiotics and the contraceptive pill to reduce her acne, but neither helped.
She stated, “It could go away for a while, but then flare up again.” Thick, red pimples on my mandible could spread across my face at worst.
The Dorset resident Kelly was referred to a dermatologist who prescribed isotretinoin. She stated, “I deliberated about it but decided against it due to side effects.” I was unwilling to accept the risk.
The dermatologist then offered Kelly a spot in the spironolactone clinical trial. She stated, “Within three months, everything was gone and all the spots had vanished.” ‘Knowing how much it has benefited me, I hope that others will now have access to this treatment.
Everyone should be self-assured and acne-free, and I want people to have the opportunity to experience it.
