Has anyone experiened hair loss on spironolactone. Good luck to you &/or whomever this may help:). This is why I'm not ready to give up on spiro. I think that my body just needed some time to adjust to shift in hormonal activity. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. I now have a much wider part that now goes down the entire back of my head. But I would rather have acne than lose my hair. I've seen a lot of posts on this site from other women describing a similar phenomenon, and I was hoping for an update on their shedding. Dread shed. It is also used to treat swelling (edema) caused by certain conditions (such as heart failure, liver disease) by removing excess fluid and improving symptoms such as breathing problems. I'd love to stay on this low dose! I will do an update on how things go if I taper my dose. BasicallyIm just like you. It helped subtly, but I noticed. Subsequently, the dose may be adjusted according to patient response. That was it. These hairs are waiting their turn to shed. Although we attempt to provide accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee is made to that effect. I'm so happy I stuck it out and didn't stop taking spiro. Spironolactone - Will weight gain with aldactone usage go away once the body adjusts? Wheew. Also, has the amount of shedding changed at all as time went on, or has it been consistent? In some of these cases, the treatment did very little to help and the androgenetic alopecia simply pushed the hair thinning along its course. I am 22 and been on Spiro for about 6 months now. Spironolactone pills help many women, especially whose hair loss starts before menopause but takes many months. First, I got my period 2 times this month. hide. Finasteride is probably the last treatment I will ever take, as it pales compare to Spironolactone. Anyone who has suffered from anemia will understand. I do have other signs of . Stop taking spiro altotgether? I literally put no heat on my hair and have styled it with mouse and a diffuser on cool for years. Because by the time I wash my hair (every other day, or two days) my hair is kind of knotty , so that might be making it worse. Available for Android and iOS devices. Also, I had stuff that pointed to issues with it like my pony tail was significantly smaller, my . For patients with androgenetic alopecia who start treatment, increased hair shedding is generally viewed as a good thing. Did you notice that your hair started coming out a lot more than usual (in the shower, in your hands when you touched your hair, etc.) save. For the long test, correction of hypokalemia and hypertension provides presumptive evidence of primary hyperaldosteronism. is this just a dread shed and should i wait it out? The 'dread shed' can be frightening when it occurs but is generally mild for most. If you stop now the hair that you shed, which was resting hair and doomed to fall out within 3 months anyway, is still gone and the new hair that was activated will never have a chance to come in. Youll get through this, it feels like the worst thing in the world right now but genuinely it gets easier and you find ways to cope / cover your hair loss. } It WILL get better. } For about a week, I've been shedding a lot of hair on my head. Spironolactone is a type of medicine called a diuretic. Long-term maintenance therapy for patients deemed unsuitable for surgery or those with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism. All down the drain:(((. I keep holding my hair in a ponytail to try to measure whether it feels thinner. The "Dread Shed" - Does it just apply to Rogaine. I am now at the point were I want to screem.I use natural hair products that the honest company has like the sensitive dhampoo/conditioner as well as their lotion and for hand soap I use the Meyers brand mand are using Not Your Mothers Dry Shampoo which Is also natural. I have had handfuls falling out (especially after washing my hair) since October 2nd. Since that my hair has shed a lot. No one can answer this question as its different for everyone with a new treatment. In this style, we have wider overhangs on the gables and eaves and have provided . My acne is mild to moderate, but evidently, very persistent. 2020 Copyright Online Health Networks, Inc. All Rights reserved. Please answer me, I am desperate and depressed because of this. who could relate. line-height: 1.2em; Some people stop the treatment for a period of time until it goes away, and then goes back on the treatment with no gynecomastia occurring. I was on Accutane for two and a half years and this for three. Fast forward about 4 months and I notice thinning spots on my temples. I'm well aware of what Spironolactone does to my body, and I am aware of the feminisation. for a few months, then 25 mgs and now 50. If a patient does not get some little bit of increased shedding its probably a concern. Definitely try a lower dose. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. I wasnt always this careful. Spiro is often prescribed to treat hair loss. I do get an annoying little pimple ("regular-people acne") every now and again, but they heal so quickly (1-2 days) compared to the cystic acne I would get before (weeks + scarring). Whenever a patient bring in a product and tells me they have a new wonderful product that does not cause a dread shed - I tell them simply that if the product they have in their hand has a zero percent chance of causing increased shedding then it probably does not help in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Last updated on Mar 7, 2022. I found that eating a pickle or sucking on a ketchup packet would instantly make me feel better. I think I've read as much as I can on this drug. I counted around 20 hairs come out when I washed my hair today and then another 30 when I combed my hair (really gently) immediately afterward. I am 42 and my acne began at 13, also. This is particularly true for those who experience a true drug induced prolonged telogen effluvium from use of these treatments. Agrawal A, Rao M, Jasdanwala S, Mathur A, Eng M. Spironolactone is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. IDK if its's the PCOS either. I shed a lot anyway so for me to actually notice hair loss means a LOT is coming out. WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health. the so called telogen phase). All was well and my skin cleared beautifully. Within just a few weeks I was noticing less dark hairs on my face and jawline; the fine, white-ish hair under my jaw all but disappeared (so, I guess from that standpoint, Spironolactone for hair loss DOES work, ha!). It is also used to treat swelling . I found out I have high male hormones and hair loss should I take spironolactone? I second the other poster's recommendation for biotin. Distract yourself from this. 4 long years of working to get my hair back. On the other hand, if your doctor thinks that the thinning itself is caused by excess androgens, the maybe increasing your dose is the way to go. I will be starting Spironolactone soon, and I'm quite weary about the dread shed. HELP/QUESTIONS . It was really disheartening to see everyone saying it took years so hopefully this will help someone. Search our entire website! It takes patience. I haven't had any cystic acne in weeks, which is atypical and awesome. - BEGIN YOUR TELEMEDICINE CONSULT NOW, PLANNING YOUR FIRST VISIT WITH DR. DONOVAN, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE FIRST VISIT, FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SUBSEQUENT APPOINTMENTS, INFORMATION ON FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT FREQUENCY, SEND US DOCUMENTS AND PHOTOS (SECURE UPLOAD LINK), Referral Information & Form for Physicians, Dr. Donovan's Hair Loss Articles (2011-2023), SIGN UP TO RECEIVE DR. DONOVAN'S ARTICLES. I'm not taking this with birth control. Get New Research, Treatments, and Discoveries Delivered to your Inbox. It's comforting to know that other folks understand my dilemma. If you've noticed this too, do you have any suggestions for me? When will it end? Feb 24, 2019. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Lower your dosage? It only works for hair loss IF you have hormonal related hair loss, and because it affects your hormone receptors it does and can cause hair loss. The change in hormones can abruptly switch your hair from the static phase to the new hair phase. It is normal to lose around 100 hairs a day. Lucky us - I am also one who sheds excessively. Our phase IV clinical studies alone cannot establish cause-effect relationship. We cover a wide range of styles and shed types such as barns, utility sheds, cabins, and playhouses. Hope it stops soon for you x, Hi, Im going through major hair loss after 6 years of Spironolactone. Maintenance dose: Patients tolerant of initial dose: May increase to 50 mg orally once a day as clinically indicated. In spring of 2021 I began losing majority shorter hairs(my new growth). All photos and information in this website is copyrighted unless otherwise stated. Also, my hair has now become two different textures with the back soft and the crown and temples brittle, frizzy, and dry. I began shedding hair in June 2020. 40. It has dramatically reduced the oil production of my face which I am happy about. It is also an anti-androgen, which means it stops male hormones, such as testosterone, from working. 1996-2023 The American Acne Association. share. I was at a loss and beginning to think I was going crazy. Spironolactone can cause this phenomenon sometimes and so can minoxidil. Hi there, thank you so much for these posts. I've been on this for three years. Thank you for looking that up. It seems to help with the drying effect of the shampoo. Recommended starting dosage is 5 mg daily in . Nearly 4 years of doing damage control since removing the extensions and here I am in the exact same situation. The amount of time I spend obsessing over my hair loss is crazy. I noticed hair thinning about six months in. Prophylaxis of hypokalemia in patients taking digitalis when other measures are considered inadequate or inappropriate. I've taken EVERY medication with the exception of Accutane, but find that Spironolactone works the best (in conjunction with Tazarac and Benzaclyn). I am also taking some other drugs (levothyroxoid since teens, Yasmin bcp, Wellbutrin, Retin-A which I just heard can cause hair loss??? ) Thank you! The link is on the bottom right of every page. She basically told me that it was nothing I was doing and I just had to be patient and deal with it till it clears. Treatment of edematous conditions in patients with nephrotic syndrome when treatment of the underlying disease, restriction of fluid and sodium intake, and the use of other diuretics do not provide an adequate response. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 2023 eHealthMe.com. Have you tried Biotin or Iron, which they say also helps? 367 people who take Keflex and Spironolactone together, and have interactions are studied. A second diuretic that acts more proximally at the renal tubule may be added if adequate diuresis has not been achieved after 5 days. You can also look on ebay. Even if I'm not touching my hair, strands are falling onto my arms and clothing during the day much more often than usual. Do you see the little hairs (about 3/4 of an inch) on my temple? The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. A lot of dermatology is educated guessing. Every effort has been made to ensure that all information is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. She doubts it was triggered by the Aldactone because telogen effluvium usually starts 2-3 months after the trigger, and my shedding started only a month after I started Aldactone. While its easily covered with makeup, its annoying that my face never looks as good as it should. In rare cases, shedding does not slow at the 3-4 month mark and hair density does not improve. When I showered it was the worst, I could no longer brush my hair and after about a month I could see my scalp :( it was horrible, Ive never experienced anxiety like this before. I am 32 and I am on no other medications other than topical retinol (tretinoin please forgive any spelling errors). User account menu. There are hair supplements out there; most have biotin, which break me out like crazy, but I'm trying one from Swanson with Insitol, PABA, and horsetail to help. Found the internet! So i started on 25mg/day of spiro back in feb and i didnt experience any significant shedding until about a month after i upped my dose to 75mg/day. However, the term equally applies to other therapies. Comments: Initial dose: 50 to 100 mg orally per day in single or divided doses Aldactone) about four months ago. In a matter of roughly 2 years my head went from being thin and short with bald spots to 6 inches longer, thicker and the most beautiful it has ever been. I weigh between 120-125 lbs, so I guess I could potentially see results from a decreased dosage of 25mg -- especially because, like you said, I'm already on OTC which regulates hormones. Started Alaya Naturals collagen also which may too be contributing to better skin. When I initially asked my doctor about the hair loss, she said this medication should help with hair loss and suggested we test my thyroid and it was dismissed. Your healthcare provider will likely check your potassium regularly while taking spironolactone to make sure it's not too high. Hopefully, recovery is possible. Like most people on it, I've had docs continually telling me it can't cause hair loss, along with a few docs who have said it can. I was on 150mg. And how do I keep my BP levels normals while taking this pill if I were to go into the military ? Doses greater than 100 mg/day generally do not provide additional reductions in blood pressure. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. (Im not saying to wash the hair weekly - Im just say these are the individuals who can appreciate differences the easiest). I'm really concerned and have considered not taking it anymore, but perhaps I'll try a lower dosage or wait it out a few more months before making any changes. We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. She said to keep an eye on my weight (don't lose any more since I'm petite and increase my protein). Applies to the following strengths: 25 mg; 100 mg; 50 mg; 25 mg/5 mL. Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. What is being shed is hairs that were destined to come out anyways: Instead of coming out tomorrow, a hair comes out today, Instead of coming out in 2 weeks, a hair comes out in tomorrow, Instead of coming out in 4 weeks, a hair comes out in 1 week, Instead of coming out in 6 weeks, a hair comes out in 2 weeks. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. Phase IV trials are used to detect adverse drug outcomes and monitor drug effectiveness in the real world. The shedding didnt get better until I started the iron supplements. Suspension: Oral: Initial: 20 to 75 mg/day in 1 or 2 divided doses; may titrate at 2-week intervals as needed based on response and tolerability. and she ordered a hair loss blood work panel. I started Spironolactone three weeks ago and I already see progress in my skin. I tried the CVS brand only because I got it on clearance and am finishing it off, but makeupalley should have reviews on stuff like the Avalon shampoo. Ozflygirl I know how you feel, it is just awful. I'm 51 years old so I blamed it on hormonal changes. Hopefully the shedding stops soon. I have not tried Vitex or biotin supplements yet Oh lord!!! She said I was in a TE cycle. My question is when my insurance run out how will I be able to get ahold of this medication ? We also use a variety of materials to build ours . It was hard to get into the swing of things so in the beginning I would forget some days here and there. My husband made me quit taking it & Im glad he did bc it now is going back to normal after stopping it after the 10th day. I looked at the ingredients for Fall Fight, and it's just another Laureth Sulfate based shampoo. Its something that we expect to occur rather than something are concerned with. The increased shedding that accompanies starting minoxidil needs to occur for most people. Treatment of patients with hypokalemia when other measures are considered inappropriate or inadequate. Present day a little over 2 years after having my youngest I had maintained my luscious locks until about 5 months ago. This is what the 'dread shed' or 'immediate telogen release is all about. I always had hair loss, but not at the rate Spiro caused. I have been taking iron and a million other things religiously ;(. So anyone experiencing this, get prescribed iron supplements!! Now, keep in mind that patients who wash their hair daily may not be able tell they are having increased shedding if the dread shed is mild. Try to have a change of scenery if possible and stay hydrated.