Frequently Asked Questions About Spironolactone
- What is Spironolactone?
- How does it help patients with hair loss?
- What are the side effects of Spironolactone?
- How and when do I use Spironolactone solution?
- What is Spironolactone?
Spironolactone is a "Potassium Sparing Diuretic" that has been used for decades to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention.
How does it help patients with hair loss?
There is much scientific data showing the beneficial effect of Spironolactone on hair loss.
Spironolactone has been noted to have anti-androgen activity. Androgenetic alopecia (male and female patterned baldness) is heavily influenced by androgens (most specifically- DHT). Spironolactone binds to the receptor sites on the hair follicles which blocks DHT from having its miniaturizing affect on the hair follicle.
What are the side effects of Spironolactone?
The side effects are minimal now that Spironolactone has been made into a topical solution, instead of a pill. Rarely, a patient will develop a rash from the Spironolactone solution and, therefore, will need to stop this solution. Another downside is the products "malodorous scent". This odor is increased if Spironolactone is combined in the same container with other chemicals (i.e.- Minoxidil, retinoic acid).
How and when do I use spironolactone solution?
1 cc of the solution should be applied to the balding scalp twice a day. It should be applied and allowed to dry (few minutes) before placing on the minoxidil solution.
Possible Future Treatments
Fluridil
Fluridil is a topical antiandrogen (i.e.- blocks the DHT and testosterone receptors). There was a study perform enrolling 43 men in a 9 month double-blind study. The results showed increased anagen hairs from 76% to 87% at 9 months. There was no disfunction in blood chemistry values, hematology, or sexual function parameters. Fluridil was not detected in the serum. Further studies are pending.
Latanoprost Solution (Xalatan)
Latanoprost is used as eye drops for glaucoma. 77% of patients using it developed increased eyelash growth when applying it daily for 4 months. It's mechanism of action for glaucoma in it prostaglandin F2alpha analogue, however it seems to be a hypertrichotic agent in hair loss (i.e.- it is not working on the DHT).
There was a study performed on the stump-tailed macaque monkey (monkey that balds similar to humans) showing moderate to marked regrowth with 500ug/ml daily for 3 months ( similar results in previous 5% minoxidil studies). Further studies are pending.
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