| WHAT
IS MALE PATTERN HAIR LOSS? |
| Male
pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia, is a very common condition
in which men begin to experience thinning of the hair on the scalp.
These changes often start slowly in men in their 20�s and often progress
to a receding hairline and/or balding on the top of the head. Male
pattern baldness is believed to be hereditary and dependent on hormonal
effects. The primary cause of Male Pattern hair loss and baldness
is due to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which is produced by 5-alpha reductase
conversion of testosterone to DHT. Men with male pattern baldness have
increased levels of the hormone DHT and the hair follicles in the balding
areas of the scalp become miniaturized. |
| WHAT
IS SPIRONOLACTONE? |
| Spironolactone
is the active ingredient in the oral potassium-sparing diuretic medication,
Aldactone, used to treat high blood pressure, fluid retention, heart failure,
and kidney problems. However, it was also found to have an anti-androgen
effect and positive effects of male pattern baldness. The problem
was that oral Aldactone (Spironolactone) caused side effects of breast
enlargement in men and dangerous issues with hyperkalemia (too high potassium)
which can cause arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythms).
When applied topically as directed, Spironolactone does not have the same
systemic side effects as oral ingested Aldactone. Spironolactone
blocks the existing DHT in your scalp from damaging the hair follicles,
while Propecia or Avodart prevent new DHT from being produced from testosterone. |
| HOW
DOES SPIRONOLACTONE WORK TO TREAT HAIR LOSS? |
| Spironolactone
works as an anti-androgen DHT blocker preventing DHT from binding
to the receptors in the hair follicles and has been found to reduce the
amount of DHT in the body. When DHT binds to the hair
follicle receptor, it blocks the passage of vital nutrients essential for
the hair follicle. The growth phase shortens and the follicles
gradually shrink and become miniaturized causing the hair shaft to become
progressively finer in texture ultimately producing thin, short, pigment-free
fine vellus hairs. Eventually the hair follicle dies
altogether resulting in male pattern baldness. Therefore, Spironolactone
works to prevent the existing DHT in the scalp from causing further hair
loss by binding to the DHT hair follicle receptor, and slows the
progression of hair loss caused by androgenic alopecia. Male pattern
hair loss is hereditary and genetically only the hair follicles on the
top of the head have these DHT receptors resulting in the typical male
pattern hair loss, androgenetic alopecia. |
| WILL
TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE WORK FOR ME? WHAT ARE THE INDICATIONS? |
| Topical
Spironolactone will not restart hair growth in areas where the hair follicles
are completely dead and gone. It will only thicken and stimulate
the growth of working hair follicles. Therefore it will work to save
the hair you already have and thicken it and enhance its growth.
So if you already have a long-time established bald patch with absolutely
no hairs, not even a few fine hairs, Spironolactone will not regrow the
hair, but it will stimulate growth and thicken hairs in the surrounding
areas. |
| HOW
IS TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE SUPPLIED? |
| Topical
Spironolactone, a topical androgen-blocker blocking the binding of DHT
to the hair follicle receptor, is exclusively compounded by Murray Avenue
Apothecary in either a 2% alcohol solution, lotion or cream; or a 5% alcohol
solution, lotion or cream. Due to the molecular structure of Spironolactone
containing a sulfur group, there is a slight odor to the formulation.
Although you may have used creams in the past produced in China, there
is no way to remove the sulfur group to make the product odorless without
affecting the molecular structure - any odorless product is NOT Spironolactone
USP. The formulation compounded by Murray Avenue Apothecary
comes in either a 2% or 5% strength in either an alcohol solution, lotion
or cream with added scent to mask the sulfur odor. |
| WHEN
AND HOW OFTEN DO I HAVE TO APPLY SPIRONOLACTONE TO THE SCALP? |
| There is
no right or wrong way to apply spironolactone topically for male pattern
baldness. Spironolactone can be applied to the scalp only in the
affected problem areas, or can be applied more widely to adjacent scalp
areas to preserve the hair as well. It works best in areas of the
scalp where the hair is thinning. Just as with any other hair loss
medication, applying to slick bald areas will not likely help as the follicles
may be completely dead. Apply a pea-sized amount of spironolactone
on your fingertips. Rub your fingertips together and then apply a
thin layer to your scalp and massage into the desired areas in a gentle,
circular motion. Repeat these steps until you have applied
to all the desired scalp area. Clinical studies testing the
effectiveness of topical spironolactone and hair loss recommend daily application.
You can apply the topical formulation anytime during the day.
If you are also using topical minoxoxidil, apply topical spironolactone
and topical minoxidil separately. If applied simultaneously, the
two can possible react with each other potentiating the smell of the formulation.
Since it takes several hours for Spironolactone to react with Minoxidil,
they can be applied fairly close together in time, but not simultaneously. |
| HOW
LONG DOES IT TAKE TO NOTICE RESULTS? |
| Since
hair grows very slowly, it takes approximately 3 months to start to notice
the effectiveness of the drug treatment. Hair regrowth does not happen
overnight. Due to the hair growth cycle, it can take a while,
at least 3 - 6 months, to even start to notice improvements from using
topical Spironolactone. Don't be discouraged if you don't see improvements
right away. |
|
HOW
LONG DO I HAVE TO USE TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE?
|
| Male
pattern baldness is a life-long, chronically-progressive condition.
The underlying predisposition to hereditary male pattern hair loss is always
present. Regardless of the dramatic effects you may experience from
prescription treatment, you must continue to use this medication regularly.
If you stop the treatment your genetic predisposition to baldness will
result in eventual loss of the new hair re-growth and progression of further
hair loss within a couple of months. With regular use you will continue
to experience thickening and regrowth of your hair. |
|
CAN
TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE BE COMBINED WITH OTHER HAIR LOSS TREATMENTS?
|
Yes
but don't use at the same time. It is best to introduce one at a
time in case you get scalp irritation you can identify which product is
the cause. Topical Spironolactone is one of the most
potent anti-androgens effective for male pattern hair loss and can
be used in conjunction with other treatments creating a synergistic effect
- blocking and decreasing production of DHT, blocking the DHT androgen
receptors on the hair follicle, extending the Anagen growth phase and stimulating
regrowth:
-
Propecia or Avodart are 5 alpha-reductase
inhibitors and prevent the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
-
Minoxidil works by increasing the
blood circulation to the hair follicles which increases the mass of the
hair strands causing it to appear thicker as well as extend its growth
cycle.
-
Latisse (bimatoprost) works gradually
and remarkably from the inside out. You will begin to see changes
in scalp hair length, thickness and darkness gradually. Bimatoprost is
a prostaglandin analog and is believed to affect the growth of hair follicles
by increasing the ratio of hairs in the growth phase of the hair cycle
and extending this phase.
-
Ketoconazole, 2 % Nizoral Shampoo,
has been shown to be effective as a Hair Loss Remedy for Androgenetic alopecia.
Studies published in 1998 and presented at the American Academy of Dermatology
show that 2% Nizoral shampoo increases hair thickness, decreases hair shedding
and increases the number of anagen-phase hair follicles on the scalp (growing
hairs)
-
The Capillus laser cap gets the hair
that is falling out turned back into the growth phase. Spironolactone
acts as an anti-androgen blocking DHT that is present from binding to the
DHT receptor on the hair follicle.
|
|
WHAT
IF I FORGET TO APPLY TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE?
|
| If
you miss a day, don't try to catch up. Instead just apply it like
normal the following day. Using Spironolactone more than once a day
will not increase the growth of your hair. |
|
WHAT
ARE THE POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE?
|
| Oral Spironolactone
(Aldactone) can have many serious side effects from feminization
in men from gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men), testicular shrinkage,
premature ejaculation to possible fertility issues in men which reverses
with cessation of the drug, hyperkalemia (too high potassium) which can
lead to serious heart arrhythmia, gastrointestinal bleeding, low blood
pressure, severe allergic reactions etc... When used topically
as directed, Spironolactone does not have these serious system side effects.
Spironolactone prevents the DHT from attaching to the DHT receptors in
the hair follicle without decreasing circulating levels of DHT in the body.
Topical Spironolactone has been shown to be highly effective in the treatment
of androgenic alopecia and the side effects were minimal to non-existent.
When applied topically to the scalp, spironolactone appears to have only
a localized effect. The topical Spironolactone gets absorbed, but
metabolizes and essentially does not have any systemic side effects. |
| WHAT
IF I EXPERIENCE SIGNS OF ALLERGIC REACTION? |
| If you
experience any signs of an allergic reaction including trouble breathing,
rapid or weak heartbeat, seizures, redness, swelling, itching or pain,
seek immediate medical assistance. |
| WHAT
IS THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ABOUT TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE? |
-
Topical Spironolactone
is to be used externally only.
-
Topical Spironolactone
is not be be put in the eye.
-
Topical Spironolactone
formulations do have a slight sulfur-like odor. Any formulation purporting
to be odor-free has altered the molecular structure of the compound.
|
WHO SHOULD NOT USE
TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE?
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS
FOR TOPICAL SPIRONOLACTONE?
|
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone if you are allergic to any of its ingredients:
Active ingredient - Spironolactone
Inactive Ingredients: Spironolactone
Solution: Propylene glycol, fragrance, ethanol; Spironolactone Lotion:
Propylene glycol, fragrance, water, emollient cream; Spironolactone Cream:
Propylene glycol, fragrance emollient cream
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone if you have issues with hyperkalemia (high potassium).
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone if you are taking oral Aldactone.
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone if you are taking have kidney disease or Addison's
disease.
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone if you are pregnant or nursing.
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone if you are under the age of 18.
-
Do NOT use
Topical Spironolactone for scalp hair loss if you are a genetic female.
Male pattern hair loss and hair loss in women can be due to a serious life-threatening
underlying medical condition.
|
| CONTRAINDICATIONS:
In order to proceed to the medical consultation, you must proceed to the
next page and read the contraindications and safety information and verify
that you do not have any of the contraindications .
Under NO
circumstance will Topical Spironolactone be prescribed to anyone under
the age of 18. |
|
|
Topical Spironolactone:
Questions
and Answers
