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(13) Tolerance of spironolactone
Author(s) -
Hughes B.R.,
Cunliffe W.J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb12031.x
Subject(s) - medicine , spironolactone , vomiting , nausea , hair loss , acne , itching , headaches , side effect (computer science) , abdominal pain , vaginal bleeding , population , hirsutism , surgery , dermatology , pregnancy , heart failure , insulin resistance , environmental health , polycystic ovary , biology , computer science , insulin , genetics , programming language
In recent years, the anti‐androgenic properties of spironolactone have been used in the treatment of acne and hirsutism. Consequently, the drug has been used for a younger population of patients and also at a higher dose. Forty‐four patients (43 female and 1 male), mean age 37 years (range 28–50 years), who had been treated with spironolactone, were reviewed to determine their tolerance of the drug. Treatment was commenced at 200 mg daily. The average duration of treatment was 14 months (range 1–45 months). The most common side‐effect was disturbance of menstruation (66%). Ten patients had irregular periods; 11, intermenstrual bleeding; 10, ammenorrhoea; eight, lighter blood loss during periods; two, heavier periods; and seven, more frequent periods. Twenty‐seven per cent complained of breast enlargement and 30% of breast tenderness; 18% complained of nausea; 39% admitted to having dry skin. Four patients experienced this symptom severely enough to produce itching and scaling. Two patients complained of abnormal facial pigmentation resembling chloasma—a previously unreported side‐effect of spironolactone. Other less common side‐effects were vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, abdominal pain, loss of short‐term memory and malaise. Side‐effects tended to occur early and persist throughout treatment and were managed in some cases by alteration of the dose of the drug. Only four patients withdrew from treatment. The patients tolerated the side‐effects well, despite the high incidence, in view of the drug's beneficial effects.