In this guide, I will explain how to prepare various concentrations of topical spironolactone solutions from its tablet form. By the end, you will be able to make solutions with concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 5%, with or without minoxidil.
Spironolactone is a cost-effective treatment, but obtaining a prescription for it can be challenging. You may need to get a bit creative or explore options beyond your local borders to access this medication.
Method 1: Spironolactone + Minoxidil
The easiest approach is to blend Spironolactone into a Minoxidil solution. This way, you won’t need to buy any additional ingredients, and the Spironolactone will dissolve into the Minoxidil solution, which typically contains ethanol and propylene glycol.
Spironolactone dissolves well in ethanol, but the Spironolactone tablets also contain other components that don’t dissolve. As a result, once you’ve broken down the tablets, you may notice some insoluble residue settling at the bottom of the container.
To create the topical solution, you will need:
- Minoxidil (5% or 2%)
- Spironolactone (tablets)
- A coffee grinder or manual grinder
- A funnel (or a piece of paper – optional)
- A light filter, like a tissue or cloth
The procedure is quite simple: depending on your desired concentration, add the appropriate number of crushed Spironolactone tablets in powder form to your Minoxidil container. The tablets may have dosages ranging from 25 mg to 100 mg, and you can calculate the quantity based on the table below.
Allow the mixture to dissolve for at least 30 minutes, stirring it occasionally.
I highly recommend filtering the solution to remove any residue at the bottom of the bottle. It’s best to use a piece of cloth for this. This should be sufficient without the need for overly strict filtration, which could accidentally remove the Spironolactone itself.
For specific concentration details, please refer to the table below:
I recommend giving the container a good shake before each use.
Method 2: Spironolactone + Ethanol + Propylene Glycol
If you prefer not to use Minoxidil, you can choose this second method to prepare your Spironolactone solution by gathering all the necessary ingredients for the topical solution.
It’s important to note that Spironolactone can be dissolved in other solutions, but I personally prefer this method due to its accessibility.
For this, you will need:
- Spironolactone (tablets)
- Ethanol
- Propylene Glycol
- An empty amber or opaque bottle (with a dropper)
- A coffee grinder or manual grinder
- A funnel (or a piece of paper – optional)
- A light filter: tissue or cloth
While propylene glycol is not mandatory, it’s recommended to include it for better skin penetration.
The procedure is straightforward: mix ethanol and propylene glycol in your bottle in a 60% ethanol and 40% propylene glycol ratio. For example, if your bottle is 60 ml, add 36 ml of ethanol and 24 ml of propylene glycol.
Then, depending on your desired concentration, add the appropriate number of crushed Spironolactone tablets in powder form to your bottle. Let the mixture dissolve for at least 30 minutes, stirring it occasionally.
Aigin, I highly recommend filtering the solution to remove any residue at the bottom of the bottle. It’s best to use a piece of cloth for this. This should be sufficient without the need for overly strict filtration, which could accidentally remove the Spironolactone itself.
For specific concentration details, refer to the table below:
I recommend giving the bottle a good shake before each use.
How to store topical Spironolactone
Despite its distinctive and rather strong odor, Spironolactone is not a highly unstable compound. Therefore, you can store it at room temperature (below 25°C) with a few considerations:
- Avoid exposing it to extreme temperatures, whether cold or hot.
- Shield it from light by storing the bottle in a dark place.
- Make sure to securely seal the bottle after each use.
- It’s best not to refrigerate it.
That concludes this guide. While the process is straightforward, I plan to release detailed videos soon to illustrate the procedure.