Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a diuretic “water pill” originally prescribed for blood pressure, but has been prescribed off label as a hormonal acne medication for women. Spiro works as an androgen blocker, androgen being the male hormone that influences sebum overproduction in women. As someone who has found the medication incredibly helpful at clearing up acne over time, I was still relieved to switch to a lesser dosage by way of my birth control. The reason I chose to forego the prescribed 50 to 200 mg/day was solely because of the side effects.
Spiro eliminates excess water from the body by eliminating sodium (water follows sodium). Loss of excess sodium also means loss of potassium (we get potassium from bananas, avocados, spinach & sweet potato). Potassium is necessary for the body as it works synergistically with sodium to power the body. When levels are low the body begins storing both. Elevated potassium levels can become very dangerous to the body. Leg cramps, dizziness, frequent urination and muscle spasms, are all common side effects, all of which I encountered while on and off the medication for over four years.
Potassium levels require monitoring while on Spiro, and maintaining these levels can become tricky especially if you love guacamole. But, before giving up taco Tuesday, studies have found licorice root to counteract some the drug’s actions. Drinking licorice root tea, for example, may offer alleviation of the more challenging side effects like potassium retention, but as something which has shown to interfere with the workings of the medication, consult your physician before consuming the two simultaneously.
