Winlevi® vs spironolactone for hormonal acne 

Table of Content:
Winlevi and topical spironolactone | Hormonal acne | Winlevi vs topical spironolactone | Benefits | Side effects | Topical spironolactone | Winlevi | FAQ Winlevi and topical spironolactone

Winlevi and spironolactone

Winlevi® and topical spironolactone are both topical prescription medications for the treatment of acne in men and women; however only Winlevi is approved by the FDA for this purpose and is widely available in pharmacies.

Topical spironolactone and Winlevi, are thought to work similarly by blocking the androgen receptors in the skin, which reduces the amount of sebum production, and therefore, helps to reduce the occurrence of acne.

Ongoing research continues to study the potential benefits of using Winlevi and topical spironolactone in combination with other acne treatments, such as oral antibiotics for the treatment of acne. This approach may help to improve overall acne management and reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.

In this article we go over the benefits, differences and similarities between these two medications so you and your online dermatologist can choose the right medication for the treatment of your hormonal acne. In addition to these topical medications, your online dermatologist may also prescribe oral antibiotics such as Seysara (sarecycline) or doxycycline.

Why use a topical medication to treat hormonal acne?

Hormonal acne is acne related to hormone fluctuations. In women, hormonal acne, is typically treated with birth control pills or oral spironolactone to counter the effects of androgens^1 2 . However, birth control pills and oral spironolactone cannot be used by men and may cause some systemic side-effects in women^3. 

This is the main reason why Winelvi and topical spironolactone are considered an excellent alternative for the treatment of hormonal acne.

What is the difference between Winlevi and spironolactone creams?

Topical spironolactone and Winlevi are both topical antiandrogen medications that can be used by men and women, however they work slightly differently. 

Topical spironolactone is much more affordable than Winlevi but it is only used off-label as acne treatment. Winlevi is $600 to $700 per tube, so you need to have insurance to purchase it.

Benefits of using topical anti-androgen creams

The benefits of Winlevi and topical spironolactone are fairly similar.

• Topical prescription medications
• Inhibits androgen receptors
• May reduce the production of sebum in the skin 
• Reduce the number of inflammatory and non-inflammatory lesions
• Generally well-tolerated, with mild side-effects 
• Can be used by men and women    

Side effects of spironolactone and Winlevi creams

The side effects of Winlevi and topical spironolactone tend to be very mild and at the skin level.

The most common side effects of Winlevi include, skin irritation, itching, burning, skin redness or peeling.

The most common side effects of topical spironolactone are contact dermatitis, mainly presented as itching, burning and scaling. 

Spironolactone: What is it and how does it help with acne?

Topical spironolactone is a prescription medication that helps with acne by blocking androgens in the skin which in turn reduces the production of sebum (oil) in the skin. In addition to its anti-androgenic effects, topical spironolactone also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce the redness and swelling⁶. 

Research shows that due to its androgen blocking properties, topical spironolactone is effective in reducing acne lesions in both men and women, particularly for those with hormonal acne⁷.

Spironolactone helps regulate hormonal causes of acne at skin level. Since it reduces the amount of oil produced by the skin and decreases inflammation, it helps to prevent new acne breakouts and improve the appearance of existing ones. Besides, topical spironolactone is generally well-tolerated and has a low risk of side effects⁸. 

Winlevi: what is it and how does it help with hormonal acne?

Winlevi (clascoterone) is a fairly new topical medication (cream) that is used for the treatment of hormonal acne for patients 12 years of age and older, but it is extremely expensive.

Androgens contribute to the development of acne. Clascoterone is an androgen receptor inhibitor, and topical Winlevi is thought to block the actions of androgen receptors in the skin. By blocking androgen receptor activity, Winlevi may reduce inflammation and the production of oils in the skin to prevent acne breakouts.

Answered: Your most important questions about spironolactone and Winelvi creams

Are Winlevi and spironolactone the same?

Is Winlevi a spironolactone?

Winlevi and topical spironolactone are not the same medication, although they both work similarly in treating acne.

Can men use spironolactone or Winlevi creams for acne?

Topical and oral spironolactone are used ff-label for the treatment of acne and topical spironolactone and Winlevi can be used by men and women. Winlevi is FDA- approved for treatment of acne vulgaris in both men and women.

Can you use spironolactone or Winlevi if you are nursing or pregnant?

Oral spironolactone cannot be used if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or nursing. Therefore as a precaution is better to not use topical spironolactone or Winlevi if you are pregnant.

How to get a topical spironolactone cream?

You can request a virtual prescription with an online dermatologist for spironolactone online.

What is the price of Winlevi?

Winlevi is $600 to $700 per tube paid out of pocket*.

*The price range listed here is just an estimation. Medication prices may vary depending on the state and the pharmacy selected. Miiskin is not responsible and cannot influence the price of the medication as it is independent from these entities.

Does spironolactone cream and Winlevi cause purging?

Yes, topical spironolactone and Winlevi may cause certain side effects such as skin irritation, itching, burning, skin redness or peeling which may resemble an initial outbreak of acne. These symptoms are typically referred to by patients as skin purging.

How long does it take for spironolactone or Winlevi to work?

Clinical studies have shown that the maximum results experienced from the application of Winlevi can be seen around 12 weeks but individual results may vary and you may experience results as early as two weeks.

For topical spironolactone, results can be seen after approximately 8 weeks of application.

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Article References:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26897386/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5419026/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5925193/
https://europepmc.org/article/med/2147469
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/drug-trial-snapshot-winlevi
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8483163/
https://www.ajmc.com/view/first-in-class-topical-treatment-clascoterone-launches-in-us-to-treat-acne-vulgaris
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ijd.15752
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8247934/