spironolactone and minoxidil = friends? foes?

[curiouscharles]

I've been reading about spironolactone, and it sounds really smart - I'm on the big three, and wonder whether taking spironolactone would be a good or bad idea. Would it be best (if it is a good idea to start it at all) to drop minoxidil and just take spironolactone? Or can I use both? I've read that they react badly with one another, but can still be applied consecutively? spironolactone doesn't sound like it will stimulate growth on its own, so...

Any help appreciated.

 

[DHR]

I'm not sure but I think they should work well together, my basic understanding is that spironolactone is an antiandrogen, where as minoxidil is a growth stimulant..so in theory they should go well together..spironolactone stopping the hair from coming out..minoxidil helping grow new ones?

maybe someone else can comment more authoritatively...

I am however wondering if I should add spironolactone to my regime..but I'm already on propecia, I would like to ask anyone who can answer, would it be a waste of time to add spironolactone while I'm on propecia? or do they work well together?

 

[rcom440]

spironolactone + minoxidil work very well together.
Apply minoxidil first, wait around 20 min. then apply spironolactone.

 

[DHR]

how about propecia+spironolactone?

or is it really one or the other?

 

[rcom440]

spironolactone + minoxidil work very well together.
Apply minoxidil first, wait around 20 min. then apply spironolactone.

how about waiting 6 hours after ?

That's fine too. The thing with spironolactone is when it gets mixed with minoxidil it stinks as hell.
I believe spironolactone is a good antiandrogens not as good as finasteride but the best available topical antiandrogens on the market. S5 is really good because it contains caffeine and retinoid acid.

 

[rcom440]

how about propecia+spironolactone?

or is it really one or the other?

I'm not on propecia so I can't say anything from my own experience, but I've read a lot about those two antiandrogens and yes they do work well together. spironolactone can provide an extra blockage of dht

 

[rcom440]

why are you not on propecia ???

I just don't like the idea of hormone-altering.
I refuse to take finasteride or dutasteride.

 

[davestep]

ive been on minoxidil for a couple of years, i stopped finasteride due to bad side effects. i have now just purchased some s5 cream.

they say you should use it twice daily. as i am already using minoxidil every night this is going to be really hard to keep up, i mean applying solutions to your scalp three times a day is alot.

Does any one know if i could get away with putting a larger dose of s5 cream on just once a day or will i not get the best effects?
also i see some one said to put s5 on 20 mins after using minoxidil? is that really ok? because i can only put minoxidil on every night as my hair looks like it is soaking wet like an oil slick when i put it on. i just thought they might not work aswell together like that. what if i put the s5 cream on 1st? because my hair looks dry still after applying s5? im really not sure what to do, it would be so much easier if i could apply them together?

has anyone got any tips on applying s5 cream to, i seem to sort of rub it in 6 different areas over my head, dont know if im spreading it correctly. they really dont give you much instructions of applying techniques/times/washing hair after etc...

any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

 

[rcom440]

ive been on minoxidil for a couple of years, i stopped finasteride due to bad side effects. i have now just purchased some s5 cream.

they say you should use it twice daily. as i am already using minoxidil every night this is going to be really hard to keep up, i mean applying solutions to your scalp three times a day is alot.

Does any one know if i could get away with putting a larger dose of s5 cream on just once a day or will i not get the best effects?
also i see some one said to put s5 on 20 mins after using minoxidil? is that really ok? because i can only put minoxidil on every night as my hair looks like it is soaking wet like an oil slick when i put it on. i just thought they might not work aswell together like that. what if i put the s5 cream on 1st? because my hair looks dry still after applying s5? im really not sure what to do, it would be so much easier if i could apply them together?

has anyone got any tips on applying s5 cream to, i seem to sort of rub it in 6 different areas over my head, dont know if im spreading it correctly. they really dont give you much instructions of applying techniques/times/washing hair after etc...

any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

You can use spironolactone in the morning and minoxidil at night.
When It comes to the amount you apply I can't really answer that question and I'm wondering myself if it works that way. I know that if you apply more minoxidil you will have better results but to certain point, also using more may cause side effect.
I'm using spironolactone mostly 2 times a day, at 3pm and 11pm but I do not apply a lot. I spread a little bit on my hair line and crown. I apply minoxidil around 10:15pm.
You don't have to rub spironolactone into the scalp, just gently use your fingers to spread it around.

 

[davestep]

thanks