Spironolactone isn’t the easiest name to pronounce, but if you have certain kidney, liver, skin and scalp conditions, it may be one you already know quite well. One thing you probably don’t know: how much does spironolactone cost?
This diuretic medication has many important applications. It can be used to treat everything from congestive heart failure and high blood pressure to fluid retention.
On the other hand, it also has some skin and hair benefits that are right up the alley of an otherwise healthy person hoping to get some much needed relief.
Medications like spironolactone can understandably have a varying breadth of costs, depending on how much you need, how you’re taking it and what it’s treating, and even if you don’t have access to the medical-grade stuff, there’s no reason to get ripped off on treatment for hair loss.
If you’re curious about spironolactone prices, there are some things you need to know about the medication. Let’s start with the basics.
The medication spironolactone is a prescription antiandrogen medication used to treat problems ranging from hair loss to acne, heart failure to fluid retention or edema.
It’s one of the few potassium-sparing diuretics, which means that it can protect people with low potassium levels who use it for treatment.
This aldosterone antagonist can also assist with symptoms caused by reduced liver or kidney function, or even for blood pressure treatment.
Spironolactone can also regulate the hormone aldosterone, which can treat hyperaldosteronism in some cases. Spironolactone is one of several acne vulgaris treatments that work by reducing sebum production.
And in certain cases, studies show that spironolactone can be an effective treatment for hair loss in women.
Because of the variety of applications, spironolactone comes in several forms. Popularly, it’s available in an oral tablet of 25mg to 50mg, but is also available in liquid form. In both cases, it’s taken orally, either once or twice daily.
Spironolactone does have some common side effects like headache and dizziness, but is generally considered safe and effective when taken as prescribed.
Spironolactone has a wide range of prices, which can vary depending on specifics like the dosage and the volume of doses being purchased, as well as the place from which they’re being purchased.
Our own scan of the internet yielded prices from under $5 to well over $12 for a 30-day supply of 25 mg tablets. Prices also varied from around 10 cents per tablet to 80 cents in some places.
Of course, these prices will vary and should only be used as estimates. Hers also offers spironolactone online if you’re looking for convenient delivery.
Your costs will vary depending on your dosage and how frequently you take the medication. A person taking 200mg daily for acne is going to pay more than someone taking 25mg daily for another condition.
Spironolactone is a prescription medication. So, whether you end up ultimately purchasing your supply online, through a chain like CVS pharmacy, a local family-owned pharmacy or through other legal means, you’ll have to do so with a healthcare provider’s prescription.
If that sounds like work, you can also schedule an appointment with a board-certified healthcare provider through hers. They’ll be able to help you figure out if spironolactone is the right medication for your needs.
Hair loss — specifically, female pattern hair loss — can be a complicated condition to treat, in part because of the number of variables to consider. While spironolactone might work for some women, it might not work for all women.
Luckily, there are a variety of other hair loss treatments available.
A popular treatment for hair loss in women is the topical agent minoxidil. While its exact mechanism of action is not yet fully understood, it’s believed to boost hair growth by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and pushing them into the anagen phase.
In one 12-month study of over 980 patients, minoxidil proved effective in 97.1 percent of people who used it.
Vitamin deficiencies can be responsible for hair loss in some situations, and if you’re experiencing a vitamin deficiency yourself, you may want to consider using supplements like our Biotin Gummy Multivitamins to correct those deficiencies.
Vitamins might not be the only part of your diet leaving your hair under-supported. A healthcare provider may make suggestions for how to build yourself a better balanced diet for hair health.
While they’re at it, they may recommend exercise and holistic health activities to better support your whole body health.
Drug costs are a major concern for many of us, but let this be a reminder that your number one concern should be safety. So, if you’re looking for a deal, make sure to do it safely.
Generic drugs and prescription drugs alike can cause adverse effects, so before you go jumping on any treatment bandwagon for hair loss, you should talk to a healthcare provider.
While you’re at it, you should discuss your medical history thoroughly. Spironolactone patients should mention menstrual irregularities, and patients with heart failure history will definitely want to mention that, as well.
You’ll also want to share information about any other prescriptions you’re taking to avoid dangerous drug interactions.
Big picture, though: if you’re dealing with sudden hair loss, talking to a healthcare provider may yield a better understanding of dangerous underlying causes. Rather than tunnel visioning your way to a great price on medication, you may be better served asking questions, finding the source of your hair loss, and getting the best treatment you can.
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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.