** We are closed for Christmas from 1pm on 24th December and re-open 9am on 27th December **
This option is designed specifically for those looking for the acne treatment spironolactone. Choose this service and answer a carefully curated questionnaire with a view to starting a highly effective treatment that can control your stubborn acne.
Please note, spironolactone is a treatment reserved only for females and normally for those with hormonally-driven acne.
If you are looking to continue treatment, you will need to complete a booking every few months where a renewed prescription can be requested.
This is a highly specialised medication and before booking please read our article Spironolactone.
We have developed a bespoke service for Spironolactone using combination of questionnaire and photographs. Each booking is £65. Treatment can be initiated after the first booking and repeat prescriptions can be generated from follow up bookings every 2-3 months.
These are typically performed at baseline but is at the doctors discretion. You will need them if you:
have underlying kidney issues or liver issues,
are over 46 years old,
are also taking angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), trimethoprim, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and/or digoxin.
If any of those three applies to you, then you would need blood monitoring at:
initiation,
six weeks after starting treatment,
after any change in dose,
then once stabilised, every 3 - 6 months while you are on treatment.
The only blood test you need is a Urea & Electrolyte (U&E) with particular emphasis on your potassium level. These can be arranged:
in our clinic: If you live near Fulham (London) you can come and visit us in our clinic where a doctor will take your blood and our lab analyse it for you for only £95. You can visit us here. Please call us on 02039622083 to book in.
via your GP: We can ask your GP if they will perform your blood tests, but they are under no obligation to do so and usually will decline.
The cost of medication depends on the dose and is set by the pharmacy you choose. Courses can last months but in some cases years.
We are partnered with Phlo Pharmacy who provide Spironolactone at very competitive prices and will contact you directly with your permission.
If you prefer, we can also send you a paper prescription instead.
In most cases spironolactone would be started at 25mg per day and increased after one week to 50mg per day.
Further increases should be in 25mg steps and can occur every two weeks up to a maximum of 200mg per day. The dose you reach should be the lowest dose that gives you the effect you need but it will also depend on how well you tolerate it.
Interestingly, once the maximum dose has been reached, some women are able to reduce the dose or frequency over time without deterioration of their acne. We suggest trying to reduce the dose 3-4 months after the acne has been stabilised and to do so by reducing by 25mg per day every 1-2 months.
All in all, a rough estimate for a 12-month course of Consultant-led treatment ranges from £370-950. See cost more in detail under.
Initial Appointment
Follow-up appointments
On average 4 per year.
Blood tests
*Normally not needed but if so £85 (on average 4 per year)
Blood Tests – These are generally not required unless you:
If you tick any of those boxes, then you would need blood monitoring at:
The only blood test you need is a Urea & Electrolyte (U&E) with particular emphasis on your potassium level.
Medication
Approximately £10-30 per month depending on the pharmacy.
*Medication is paid separately.
Medication - The cost of medication depends on the dose and is set by the pharmacy you choose. Courses can last months but in some cases years.
We are partnered with Phlo Pharmacy who provide Spironolactone at very competitive prices and will contact you directly with your permission.
If you prefer, we can also send you a paper prescription instead.
If skindoc is not the best place for you, we won’t take on the case and won’t charge you.
*Please be aware, that the price quoted is for the service and written prescription only. It does not include the cost of medication or any suggested tests e.g. blood tests.
Prescriptions are limited to a maximum of 2 or 3 months, depending on your circumstance and advice from your Consultant Dermatologist.
Follow up submissions are required to obtain a sequential prescriptions.
