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Hi everyone,
I know this thread is very old, but I am experiencing a similar problem.
I have been on Spiro 50mg for 7 months, my acne completely cleared but my hair has been thinning for about 4 months.
I have just read that hair loss is a side effect of Spiro, which confused me as I too thought it was prescribed FOR hair loss.
I was wondering, for all of you who have experienced this, has your hair grown back?? Is it temporary, or perminent??
I would so appriciate it if you could take the time just to quickly tell me what your experience has been! I'm very distressed 
Hi everyone,
I know this thread is very old, but I am experiencing a similar problem.
I have been on Spiro 50mg for 7 months, my acne completely cleared but my hair has been thinning for about 4 months.
I have just read that hair loss is a side effect of Spiro, which confused me as I too thought it was prescribed FOR hair loss.
I was wondering, for all of you who have experienced this, has your hair grown back?? Is it temporary, or perminent??
I would so appriciate it if you could take the time just to quickly tell me what your experience has been! I'm very distressed
Sorry you're experiencing hair loss. I know how upsetting it can be
When I stopped spiro it took about 6 months for the hair loss to slow down, and then it slowly started to grow back. If you have any more questions just let me know!
Hi - I hope someone comes across my post since this thread is so old..but I am searching for answers...
Was prescribed Spiro (100 mgs) about two years ago and had great results about 5 months in. Just under a year of my initial start date I noticed my hair seemed different. Blood tests always came back normal. Finally another 6 months later I realized my hair really was thinning and brought it up to my Derm. He said it was stress. Well it kept thinning and I finally stopped taking Spiro in October since that was the only common denominator when it came to the timing of my hair loss. It's now March and I'm not seeing any changes. Did anyone who stopped Spiro because of hair loss have success with it growing back? How long did it take?
Thank you so much for reading and responding I feel really lost and depressed about this.
Hi - I hope someone comes across my post since this thread is so old..but I am searching for answers...
Was prescribed Spiro (100 mgs) about two years ago and had great results about 5 months in. Just under a year of my initial start date I noticed my hair seemed different. Blood tests always came back normal. Finally another 6 months later I realized my hair really was thinning and brought it up to my Derm. He said it was stress. Well it kept thinning and I finally stopped taking Spiro in October since that was the only common denominator when it came to the timing of my hair loss. It's now March and I'm not seeing any changes. Did anyone who stopped Spiro because of hair loss have success with it growing back? How long did it take?
Thank you so much for reading and responding I feel really lost and depressed about this.
I had success regrowing my hair after spiro. I was on a very low dose (25mg) and it took 6 months or more for it to stop falling out. My hair is much thicker now.
I was taking spirolactone for hormonal chin acne. I stopped taking it in Jan. and now have major hair loss..I didn't even know it was connected with hair loss!..I HAD a TON of hair..I've lost about half of it...could this be from stopping the spirolactone? ...should I hang tight or get back on it? starting to see my scalp:(
It could be absolutely connected. It's hormonal so it has that ability to mess with hormones. Ironically enough, Spiro is used to regrow hair. I would not recommend getting back on though. Eat healthy and consider testing your hormones and filling those deficiency gaps. Maybe biotin?
On 10/26/2013 at 1:32 PM, DaniJ said:
Yay I'm so happy for you! My hair loss has really calmed down A LOT. Everyday it seems to get better.
Just now, Trinitytx said:On 10/26/2013 at 1:32 PM, DaniJ said:
Yay I'm so happy for you! My hair loss has really calmed down A LOT. Everyday it seems to get better.
I'm stressing so much over this. I'm losing soooo much hair and have anxiety for the first time. 
On 3/27/2015 at 10:50 AM, paigems said:I had success regrowing my hair after spiro. I was on a very low dose (25mg) and it took 6 months or more for it to stop falling out. My hair is much thicker now.
Paige, do you feel recovered now? I need positive stories, I am so upset.
On 10/24/2013 at 5:38 PM, DaniJ said:
I'm sorry this happened to you too! You're lucky your derm actually acknowledged this side effect. Mine completely denied it. Your symptoms sound almost identical to mine. I have had a very itchy scalp and my hair doesn't feel like it used to. On top of that, my scalp has been really sore around the crown of my head. It feels like I hit it on something several times. I can't decide what is worse either. I feel your pain. I just couldn't see myself continuing this drug because I know hair loss has NEVER happened to me, and it's really embarrassing :/. At least with the acne, maybe there are other options.
I am curious to know how long it will take for the acne to return.
dani, how are you doing? This describes me right now and I am so upset and stressed.
On 4/4/2016 at 10:53 PM, runnergirl719 said:I was taking spirolactone for hormonal chin acne. I stopped taking it in Jan. and now have major hair loss..I didn't even know it was connected with hair loss!..I HAD a TON of hair..I've lost about half of it...could this be from stopping the spirolactone? ...should I hang tight or get back on it? starting to see my scalp:(
🙁
Any changes?
I went on spiro for acne about 2 years back . It cleared it immediately . Left it after 6 months as I experienced some thinning on my hair . after 2 months hair started falling in clumps . I went back on spiro at 100 mg and started getting period every 18 days . My hair got brittle and week and kept shedding through the next 10 months however my part was filled . I weaned off from spiro since jan . So far my shedding is a bit better but my hair have terrible thinned specially at the part in front. I had long black hair and now only 30 percent of my volume is there . Any advices or experience by anyone pl share . This has caused me immense stress . Did. Ur. Hair grow back and did the frontal thinning of scalp fil in . Also my texture is all dry brittle and wiry ... Don't know what to do . Pl share ur success and positive stories .
I have been also in the same boat. I quit Spiro 5 months back and my hair shed alot specially during my period cycle. I have diffuse thinning and specially on the top front scalp is very diffuse and see thru. I have been applying serums and having vitamins and herbs now but no relief yet. Infact I dont knkw weather to jump back to Spiro or wait it out and see. Anyone who has been thru this what was there experince .Did the hair grow back and after how long. I am very depressed and consumed so someone pl help
On 10/22/2013 at 9:53 AM, paigems said:I had the same experience with spiro and also with yaz and yasmin. My hair got so thin on spiro, and continued to fall out until a few months after I stopped taking it. Thankfully it grew back! We're not alone; I've seen a lot of other people complaining of the same problem.
hi Paigem
My hair was thinning on Spiro and when I left it stated shedding in clumps. My doctors pug me. Back on. Spiro in a double doze of 200 mg. My hair got super dry and scalp just didn't need washing for ten days or more . My silky hair turned to dry brittle and flyway but I was always having regrowrh during this time. Then I left Spiro and for the last 6 minfhs my hair are thinning rapidly all diffuse hair and I feel so miserable. My hair is fragile and falls and tangled and dry. What should I do. How long did it take for u to get your hair back and did u have thinning specially frontal when u left Spiro. Pl advice
I'm a 40 yo female and have been strugglingwith cystic acne for about 10 years. I started taking Spiro back in Aug. (it's now Nov.). Spironolactone cleared up my painful, ugly cystic acne within two weeks. My rosaceahas also been clear since I've been on spiro. My breasts went up about a cup size with addedmonthly tenderness. I amso thrilled with the results. Myskin is perfectly clear, I no longer have to constantly worry about covering up my ugly, painful, sometimes bloody cysts. However, within the past couple of weeks, I've noticed severe hair loss. I have lost almost 50% of my hair! I used to have superthick, full, below shoulder length hair (I used to get frequent compliments on my beautiful hair). After being on spiro for almost three months, my hair is nowthin,dry, brittle and fine, and my scalp hurts, tingles and burns. I'm scared to wash it, brush it, or wear it ina ponytail or a bun. It falls out excessively in the shower, when I brush it and even while I'm just sitting at my desk at work or home watching tv. I'm now terrified it won't grow back. I stopped taking spirothree days ago and have an appt. w/ my derm in two days. I'll post again in a few months with an update on my regrowth. I'm not sure why hair loss is not listed as a side effect or why my derm didn't discuss this possibility with me. Good luck to all of you. I'm glad that you've shared your stories here. It makes me hopeful that my hair will grow back (hopefullyleaving the acne behind).
I only took 25 mg for less than a month.. After that I upped my doze to 50 mg which i took for less than two week before I started noticing my hair coming out (shedding a lot of baby hairs from the shaft which i had never experienced before). I immediatelystopped taking spiroas i am very afraid of loosing my hair which used to be long and thick. Now after a month of being off the drug the hariloss has only increased. I have counted about few hundredcoming off in the shower and about up to 500+ when I brush so I am not just imagining it. In addition to that hair just falls off through out the day in my face, arms, floor etc. I have lost about 1/3 of my hair in only one month. I am having panic attacks as i feel so hopeless and scared of where this will go and how long it will last. My scalp has also become very itchy and developed dandruff which I have never had before. My doctor just told me to stop the drug and try rogaine but I'm scared to try it in caseit will only make it worse.
I'm really afraid if this is gonna last 6 months will i have any hair left, or worse if it is permanent! My period become very irregular too on spiro, it came twice a mont with spotting in between and it hasn't gone back to normal yet. I'm 27yrs old.
On 7/2/2018 at 8:51 AM, Gia88 said:I too am now sporting the Spiro comb over. Seriously, I lost half my hair on it. Clear skin and a combover, anyone? Id take a few zits any day. Also, i had to pee about every half hour. Awful. Im off it now and my hair stopped falling out.
How long did it take after coming off for the shedding to stop?
Does anyone have any more updates? I started taking spiro in june, upped the dose in July and started noticing hair loss in late august. At first I ignored it because my skin looked so good and it wasn't bad, but now it's bad enough that I decided to stop today. My dermatologist also said she hadn't heard of this side effect, but it is literally the only explanation as nothing else has changed and i have had every blood test done. Anyone have any updates? If I remember, I will continue to post updates here. I also got very dry scalp and dandruff as a result of the drug, which I didn't realize was caused by this until recently. It seems like we are all having pretty similar experiences.
On 11/29/2018 at 6:07 AM, dude97 said:Does anyone have any more updates? I started taking spiro in june, upped the dose in July and started noticing hair loss in late august. At first I ignored it because my skin looked so good and it wasn't bad, but now it's bad enough that I decided to stop today. My dermatologist also said she hadn't heard of this side effect, but it is literally the only explanation as nothing else has changed and i have had every blood test done. Anyone have any updates? If I remember, I will continue to post updates here. I also got very dry scalp and dandruff as a result of the drug, which I didn't realize was caused by this until recently. It seems like we are all having pretty similar experiences.
hairloss is actually listed as a rare side effect in the package where i live. Some people just don't react well to the drug. I have no explanation for the dandruff and itching (maybe something to do with changes in oil production?) but i have been washing my hair with ketaconazole shampoo for a week it has helped a little bit with the dandruff but still itchy and no effect on the hairloss itself 
Hi,
I know this is already 4 years after the last reaction on this post but I wanted to see if anyone has an update on their experience with spiro. I have been prescribed spiro since 5 months ago (I have pcos and hypothyriodism). The initial reason why I was prescirbed the spiro was due to hair growth on the chin and hair loss. However after taking the drug for 5 months, not only my hairloss didn't get cured but became even worse too bad that people around me are as shocked as I am that I am losing this much hair. I am deciding to get off the medication but from what I read here almost no one had a positive result with stopping the medication.
My symptomps are currently: thinning hair specially in the front, excessive hair loss and itchy scalp in addition to the feeling like if someone is pulling my hair.
I would appreciate it if anyone can share any update on what happened after they stopped spiro?
Hi all,
continuing this thread in 2023! Because I cant believe I didnt connect the dots sooner. I was on Spiro for nearly 2 freakin years. It started wrecking my hair after 6 months (dry, brittle, straw like, just terrible), but I blamed the hair products I was using because the Spiro should be helping hair grow. 6 months later it still wasnt good, but I thought well my hairs damaged its gonna need some time to grow out. Well it continued getting worse for another 4 months, so then I blamed our hard water and old water heater. Changing the water heater and adding a filter to the shower helped but a few months later I was running my fingers through my hair and it felt SO thin at the crown. I thought I was going crazy!! I asked my fiance like am I freakin balding?? I was on the verge of getting a damn whole house water softener because I STILL didnt think it could be the Spiro. Yall I am washing my hair in buckets of distilled water lol. My hairs been falling out pretty significantly for me, typically in phases, like some months itll fall out more and others less, which is why I never connected it to the Spiro, but the worse effect by far is the chronic dryness it caused. I stopped taking it last week and while Im still experiencing some shedding when I wash my hair, it HAS decreased, and the amount of dry hair falling off my head in the middle of the damn day has decreased substantially.
I forgot to mention I started taking it for hormonal acne. Never again with the hormones! Seriously my Derm touted it as like a feminine miracle drug. Instead it sucked all the moisture out of me and ruined my already semi crappy hair it made me feel sane to read all your experiences, so thanks for writing them. Hopefully this one makes someone else feel sane also.
@samantha-jdeckergmail-com
Hello I have almost all of those same exact symptoms to a T. The hair tingling/pulling sensation has worried me the most. I have been experiencing hair loss for well over a year but this is the first time ive felt this sensation and it just so happens to be right when i started taking spironolactone again after getting off it for months. Can you tell if you stopped taking spironolactone and if you did what happened after you did that?
This is interesting - So glad I found this site. I was put on spiro 50 mg. on 03/10/24 as a medication to assist in lowering blood pressure, was told it was a diuretic - to reduce retaining water. And the pharmacy printout I received with the prescription says its "used to get rid of extra fluid".
WTF.... I just stopped the drug on 04/06/24 due to noticing the hair loss starting immediately and connecting the dots to the new medication. I am so amazed to see that this drug is used for so many conditions. Used to STOP (???) hairloss, used to control acne, used as a diuretic ,,, how is this possible? And here we are losing hair. I called my primary Dr. and informed them that I stopped the drug and they agreed to do so. They told me it will take a while for the shedding to stop and I see way back when in these posts (years ago) that someone said it took about 6 months to stop the shedding, and their hair did grow back. So I'm going to try not to stress and just go with the flow and be patient and hope for the best. I lost so much hair in that short month. I'm lucky to have stopped right away.
Hi all,
continuing this thread in 2023! Because I cant believe I didnt connect the dots sooner. I was on Spiro for nearly 2 freakin years. It started wrecking my hair after 6 months (dry, brittle, straw like, just terrible), but I blamed the hair products I was using because the Spiro should be helping hair grow. 6 months later it still wasnt good, but I thought well my hairs damaged its gonna need some time to grow out. Well it continued getting worse for another 4 months, so then I blamed our hard water and old water heater. Changing the water heater and adding a filter to the shower helped but a few months later I was running my fingers through my hair and it felt SO thin at the crown. I thought I was going crazy!! I asked my fiance like am I freakin balding?? I was on the verge of getting a damn whole house water softener because I STILL didnt think it could be the Spiro. Yall I am washing my hair in buckets of distilled water lol. My hairs been falling out pretty significantly for me, typically in phases, like some months itll fall out more and others less, which is why I never connected it to the Spiro, but the worse effect by far is the chronic dryness it caused. I stopped taking it last week and while Im still experiencing some shedding when I wash my hair, it HAS decreased, and the amount of dry hair falling off my head in the middle of the damn day has decreased substantially.
I forgot to mention I started taking it for hormonal acne. Never again with the hormones! Seriously my Derm touted it as like a feminine miracle drug. Instead it sucked all the moisture out of me and ruined my already semi crappy hair it made me feel sane to read all your experiences, so thanks for writing them. Hopefully this one makes someone else feel sane also.
Hi. I know this is old but this is me exactly. I thought it was everything except the Spiro. Ive been on it exactly a year and recently noticed my hair was getting dry. Didnt connect the dots in time before my hairdresser talked me into lightening my hair and the bleach fried it further. I started connecting the dots and tried to increase my water intake and add things to my diet that would help and added a multivitamin but nothing seems to help. Its breaking off even with the deep conditioning treatments Ive done because I cant correct how dry I am on the inside. Its so frustrating.
I started this for hormonal acne that I had been dealing with for 10 years but got really bad this past year and I was desperate after seemingly trying everything I could. I was also experiencing hair shedding at the time Im assuming from my hormones being all out of whack. When I started Spiro she had me on 50mg for a week and then upped me to 100mg a day. The shedding continued for a little longer but then stopped and I was so happy because so much was falling out in the shower and brushing and just throughout the day I was always picking hair off of me.
2 weeks ago I tried to lower my dose to 75mg but nothing has seemed to change, Im still dry. I dont have to wash my hair for so long because I have like no oil on my scalp. But I have to wash it like every other day to moisturize it and keep it hydrated. However, i feel like I noticed a tiny bit of shedding happening just not anything close to what it was before starting. I am going to try and get down to 50mg soon but Im not as hopeful for it to help with the dryness after reading here that people on 25 and 50mg were experiencing the dryness also.
im scared to get off the Spiro because I dont want the acne to come back because it was such a confidence destroyer, and also because Im afraid of the shedding that will come back when I stop. Especially since I couldnt get it to stop before and didnt know the reason it was happening. I didnt even know the Spiro was going to help with that until the shedding randomly stopped. Now Im so worried. I know Im rambling and its possible no one will see this since its an old thread but I needed to vent and everyone here makes me feel less alone.
How long after stopping the Spiro did you notice your oil coming back or your hair feeling better and less dry? Also, did the acne come back and if so, what did you do for it? Im stressing, which I know is worse for everything Im going through.
I recently heard about a topical version of Spiro called Winlevi I think and I read that it helped some people but I also read that it didnt and that insurance wouldnt ever cover it and its expensive. Anyone been using this at all?
Thanks for reading. My anxiety is just so high and my focus is constantly on my hair or worrying about my skin. I hope someone has more positive feedback about it stopping. Thanks everyone.