Hi, I was on spiro for acne for almost 10 months, it did wonders for my skin but I noticed that after 2 or 3 months my scalp was really itchy and hair was shedding everywhere! It never slowed down so I quit last month but I am still shedding. Has anyone been through anything similar? Would really appreciate any advise
Has anyone experiened hair loss on spironolactone?
Question posted by maisie89 on 6 July 2017
Last updated on 21 July 2022 by Champ24
4 Answers
Champ24
21 July 2022
I've been on Sprino 50mg/2 a day for about 3 years for oily skin and it worked. I didn't notice the hair loss until the last 2 years. My hair was so thick prior that I didn't notice initially. I also noticed that if I missed a day, I would have a noticeable shedding episode that would last 2-4 weeks. Most noticeably, after shampooing, I would have a large clump on the shower floor and in my hand.
Now my hair is so thin and very dry with increased breakage. My part is much wider, and the back of my head is becoming increasingly thinner. My dermatologist said it wasn't the Spirno.
Two weeks ago, I gradually decreased my dosage to 50mg/morning and 25mg/night with the plan of eventually stopping. I had a large amount of shed for the first week and half and it has now slowed down considerably. Once I can mentally and physically handle another shed, I'll decrease by another 25mg.
I've read that blood pressure patients taking Spirno (I don't have high blood pressure) should not stop cold turkey and I'm worried if I did, the hair loss would go on for months.
Another note, I'm also sensitive to hormonal changes. I lost hair about 3 months after both my kids were born, but it grew back to its normal thickness. That hair loss was minimal compared to what I have lost since on Spirno.
Some GOOD NEWS, I do have new baby hairs at my temples and hair line. Hopefully, they will remain intact.
I take Viviscal Pro, Ritual multivitamins, and added Vitamin D daily. Not sure if they help but can't hurt. I have increased my daily protein and healthy fats (for the dryness) and add collagen protein to my coffee.
I would like to know if anyone has stopped and what the results have been. Thanks!
Kezzieb
22 April 2022
I have PCOS and have had major hair loss since my diagnosis. I was put on Spironolactone specifically FOR hair loss. I’ve read several places that it works for hair loss by slowing down the production of Androgens (male sex hormones including testosterone) and this can slow down the progression of hair loss. So I’m surprised to see so many people saying they saw hair loss with it! Great for my acne though haha
Stephen Treloar
7 July 2017
I'm a male (took it for 10 weeks) but lost all my male body hair and all other hair growth slowed to a crawl. 4 years later now and it never came back.
Mindii
6 July 2017
I was on it for 3 weeks... acne kinda disappeared BUT my hair started shedding like no tomorrow. Distraughtful!! I stopped taking spirinolactone but it still continued to drop until it was unmanageable and I went back to the docs. I thought that if I stopped d spiro it would stop too but it did not. I have lost half of my hair which is beyond imagination. Weeping away when the doc told me to go for a biopsy as I do have an autoimmune condition. Such a dreadful experience. As I started shedding hair, I had tons of dandruff as well and itchiness. The doc prescribed a steroidal shampoo and then lotion. Just put me on Minoxidil yesterday. I urge u to check if the scalp is inflammed. Mine was all red. Do NOT do nothing about it which I did at first. Go back and see ur doc ASAP. The steroidal lotion clobestol helped to reduce inflammation of the scalp and hence reduced the hair loss. If u ask me to choose between acne and hair, I'd choose my hair. The normal hair cycle is 3 Mths.
The rate of hair dropping can't keep up w d rate of hair regeneration. So please go back and see ur doc abt it.
maisie89
6 July 2017
Wow you were only on it 3 weeks when this happend?! I have read several reviews and people say it can take a few months for shedding to slow when you stop it so im just hoping it stops soon! I will go back to my doc though to see what she says.. My derm denied it can cause shedding but my GP says it can. Thank you for the info:-)
Related topics
acne, spironolactone, skin, scalp, hair
Further information
- Spironolactone uses and safety info
- Spironolactone prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Spironolactone (detailed)
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