1058 replies to this topic

[jen0489x]

Hey guys! I was just prescribed 200mg of spiro for my acne. Yes, 200mg right off the bat. Yesterday was my first day, and it made me excessively thirsty and I had a terrible headache. Plus, I felt sleepy all day. Will these side effects go away as I get used to the drug?

[Boston50]

Do you have PCOS or a hormone imbalance? Have you been officially tested? When my daughter started out on Yaz and spiro it was just 25 mgs. the first month to see how she tolerated it. Then upped to an additional 25 mgs. the 2nd month and she did very well on that although she is still tired and thirsty. She also took Doxy with it but was able to wean off. The highest she was ever on was 100 mgs. but the extreme thirst and lethargy has made she and her doctor decide on the lower dose again. She seems to be doing fine on a lower dose. So I would have to say she never got used to the higher dose and she was on it from last June till just recently. I have heard that 200 mgs is usually indicated for those with a true hormone imbalance/hormone disease and some others whose skin is just affected by testosterone can get by on a lower dose.

Edited by Boston50, 05 December 2009 - 05:12 PM.

[Shells82]

Hey Jen! I have Been on Spiro for 41days now! And I must say the thirst stays there but I don't think it is as extreme as it was the first week. But The headaches go away when you get hydrated. THe lethargy, for me also went away. But I also started taking my 100mg pill between 8 and 9pm every evening in order to side track any side effects that might occur.. It also may bother your stomach at that high of a dosage so be careful. Also just to warn don't be surprised if you get a TERRIBLE initial outbreak.. Seems some people do and some don't.. I had the worst two breakouts of my life when I started at 50mg and when I was upped to 100mg.. But stick with it.. this pill may not show results for some time. I am clearing but its slow and steady. And it keeps pushing "out" the existing stuff that is in my skin.. I need a few facials when finals are over LOL!! GOOD Luck! Reading these posts and reviews of others taking Spiro really kept me going!!

[OursFan]

Looks like this is the official Spiro thread...

I was clear of acne after Accutane (15+ years ago). My acne started flaring up in April. I went to a Derm and he recommended: BP in AM, Retin-A in PM. The acne got worse (whiteheads to pustules).
Went to a different Derm yesterday and he prescribed: 50 mg Spiro (if no side effects in 3 days, increase to 100 mg) and continue with topicals. Scheduled for follow-up in 2 mos.

Status: Skin moderately oily in T-Zone, 2 whiteheads on chin, 5 cysts on rt cheek, 2 cysts on left side of jaw.

I'll post updates.

[Shells82]

Good Luck Tamara....DO not get frustrated if you have an Initial breakout!! It gets better!

[OursFan]

Thanks for the encouragement!

Question for those not on BCPs: If Spiro disrupted your monthly cycle, did it eventually regulate itself? If not did you decide to go on BCPs?

Thanks!

[Shells82]

Didn't affect my cycle..=)

[smk28]

I've been on spiro for about a week and so far my only 'side effect' is having to pee 150 times a day! I was on spiro a year ago on 50 mg but never took it religiously enough and let the script expire. Now I am having a bad breakout from Topamax and I'm back on it (this time 100 mg and determined to take it religiously). And if it helps anyone, I did NOT get an IB the first time I took it. I guess I'll find out in a couple weeks if I will get one this time! (My derm said it's unlikely)

[nicola53]

Hi,
Apparently you can get Spironolactone in a cream formulation called s5, which was formulated for use on the scalp. I was wondering if anyone had thought of trying it, a dermatologist on Yourtube was talking about acne and mentioned it as one of the prescriptions.

[perfectblending]

Does it dry you out everywhere (vaginal dryness,etc...)?

[Shells82]

I have not really noticed it "drying" me out everywhere. And its only oil secretion that is stops or slows rather so I don't think your vag would be affected lol. i have only noticed a difference on my face and scalp.. my back acne has completely cleared but the rest of my skin doesn't seem dry..so no I don't think it drys you out everywhere!

[zincyellowcobra]

I have been lurking on the acne.org forums for months -- just joined today so I could throw my two cents in on Spironolactone. I have to say that I was doubtful at inception of Spiro treatment, however, I am now a believer. I would not give up this medication for any reason. You would have to pry the bottle from my cold dead hands in order to take it from me!!! I am 38 years ol,d and have suffered from acne since I was 14 years old. I have tried every oral and topical medication out there. including two unsuccessful rounds of Accutane. Spironolactone has been the only treatment to work for me. To me, this is a miracle drug. I started out on 50mg once daily in August and increased my dose gradually to 200mg/day. I experienced an initial breakout in the first few weeks of treatment which was very discouraging, however, reading this thread here on the acne.org forums kept me from bailing on the treatment. When users here say keep the faith, don't give up - Spiro takes time - believe in what they are telling you. It does take time. I would estimate that it took approx 3 months to see the greatest improvement and at 4.5 months my skin is almost blemish free. I had a breakout on my chin one week ago -- big fat cyst on my chin. Outside of that, my skin is in the BEST condition that it has ever been in going all the way back to puberty. I do have a hormonal imbalance and that is likely why Spiro has worked sooooooo well for me. I have elevated DHEA-S which is what the endocrinologist blames my acne on. I originally found out about Spiro from my stepdaughter. I went to my GP and requested a prescription for the same. I discussed the medication further with my endocrinologist who suggested I increase to 200mg. I have since found a new dermatologist and she felt that the 200mg was the correct dose and that my skin looked great in terms of current breakouts and comedones. I am now researching the best treatments that can be done at home to lessen acne scarring.

About the side effects -- I experienced super dry/chapped lips, lethargy, thirst, etc. These side effects lessened over time. I drink LOTS of water and have recently discovered Hyaluronic Acid serum to use as a base under my moisturizer -- and I put it on my lips. I think the HA has cured the chapped lips problem.

I would like to thank everyone who has posted their thoughts and experiences about Spiro here in these forums. Without your input, I would have given up early on. Everyone's input here gave me the motivation to keep on going despite my perception of slow progress and annoying side effects. Anyone out there experiencing those same feelings, take it from me, stick with it. Side effects lessen over time, DRINK LOTS OF WATER, and don't give up. It does take a little time but the results have been AMAZING (for me). My only regret -- Not discovering Spiro sooner.

[User15978]

Thanks for your lovely post zincyellowcobra!

I've just started Spiro and this gives me hope and to keep going!

[Shells82]

Zinc..you hit the nail on the head. These posts kept me going in my first few weeks on spiro too, not only the posts but the other users.. and it has been an amazing drug for me as well. I am nearing clear but even though I am not fully there yet I barely even think about my face anymore.. It really is a wonder drug!! and I wish I had found it sooner too!!

[greeneyesgirl]

Does Spiro help with like ALL types of acne? This is my 4th (full) month, yet I still get little pink ones and my bum is breaking out badly. Could it be because I quit Yasmin in Sep? I'm on 150mgs a day and I rly hope it works cause this is the only medication that hasn't given me serious side effects. I'm freaking out, because at the end of last month all through out this month, I am continuing breaking out like everyday, they're small, but compared to where I was 2 months ago, NOTHING, it's getting a little discouraging. I'm scared on what's happening.
Thanks!

[xeny]

well, i made a post on here earlier in the week, but it looks as if it was deleted...hmmmmm

I have been on Spiro since April with wonderful results. I am taking 150 mg a day and have had no significant breakouts since I have been on it. I rarely get a teeny tiny little one here or there, but they usually clear up w/in 24 hours. How many milligrams is everyone taking?

hi..ive been taking spiro for past 2 months...i hade terrible breakouts all over my jaw line..which was very intense...spiro actually is awesome as all my big crazy jaw line acnes have tried up remarkably...it has all cleared up..n im hopeful it works in future n to all those who r taking it..
unfortunately, i also did not get my periods..did anyone amongst you notice that too...??
yes my skin all over hands and legs have dried up than before..i keep applying lotion all the time but im more worried about not getting periods...
xeny:))

[xeny]

Hi Angel,

Thanks for replying I really appreciate it! So you said you have been on the spiro for a bit, so how is your skin now? And as for BC I will talk to my dr. when I go back for a check up. I am thinking the 50mg is having an effect my face is actually breaking out more and more even today!! its crazy..but if this is what needs to happen to be clear well then I don't care. I will just try to combat it from the outside too.

Strange how the diet change works for some people and not others..I just hope Spiro really works!! I know its doing something already I just hope its good!!

Any replies are welcome! thanks again!

Shells

ya its def gona work for gud...when i started taking spiro..in the beginning i felt like my skin ws getting worst..for almost two weeks i had in n off crazy increasing acnes..now its been 2 months n all the acnes on y jaw line has dried so well..all i have now is little bit rough surface which is also reducing slowly, n some scars for which my derm prescribed tretinoin cream, usp..0.025%..so basically wats going on is that spiro helps dry up the acne n the tretinoin helps clear the scars..thats wat i felt about these 2 to my skin..tretinoin too is amazing to clear skin but people should be careful while using cus it makes skin too dry n irriatating to some people..it is working for me but im scared to be really confident for others...but bottom line...stick with spiro..mine is 50 mg but its helping a lot..besides one problem..i did not get my periods this month..i have appointment with my dern on jan 5th..will post again about if its ok to not have periods like that..or do i have to stop spiro..
thanking all..xeny:))

[AgniHarda]

hi everyone! it has been exactly one week since i started 25mg a day of spironolactone. I have been taking birth control for years, and dont have moderate or severe acne. I get hormonal pimples and the occasion cyst in the jaw or cheek area. I rarely ever get a zit on my forehead (I think the last one was due to a foundation that didnt agree with me). My question is, the dermatologist (who is known as the best in my state) originally prescribed me 50mg but knocked it down to 25mg before i left the office because of my weight. I weigh 103 pounds and am 5'1. As of today my skin is okay, def clearing itself out, and I have about 2 or 3 marks on my right cheek only. i am also using Differin .3 now and am not sure if the clearing out is due to the spiro or the differin. I just wanted to see what you all thought about the low dose i am on, or if I should bump it up to 25mg 2x a day instead. Thanks!!

[Shells82]

Hey Agnharda..why bump it up if your skin is clearing? And if you really want to see if it is in fact the spiro or the differin try to stop using the differin for a few days? Spiro usually takes some time to work so my guess is that its the differin but your body could be different. As for the dose I have read where some people have success on 25mg, but I think everyone is different I think I have had the best results at 100mg but hope to decrease my dose one day =) GOOD LUCK!!

[meeyuu85]

I started Spiro on December 8, so it is day 21 for me (exactly 3 weeks!). I am on a 25mg/day prescription right now. I am also on Yaz, and have been for the past 2 months. I was on Yaz for 2 years before I was unemployed... then I got off of it for not having insurance. During those 2 years, I think I cleared up after a couple of months (I had severe acne before that) and stayed acne-free. I thought initially that when I went off of BC I would be okay... until 5 months after I stopped taking them, the big cysts, the blackheads, and the "tumors" (the painful bumps you get underneath your skin) came back. I was employed (yay) again in May and got health insurance, so I went and saw my OBGYN for my annual and to renew my prescription with Yaz in November, and dermatologist earlier this month.

The 25mg/day dose hasn't really given me any awful side effects, except that I feel thirstier than usual. I am BREAKING OUT though. I haven't had this bad of pimples in a while. All of a sudden I am seeing a series of little bumps all over my chin and my jawline and a little bit towards my cheeks. My nose is clear and my forehead has a few pimples, but not BUMPS like these. It's gross... and I was wondering if this was normal with starting Spiro? Could your acne get a LOT worse then clear up?

HELP!

Edited by meeyuu85, 30 December 2009 - 05:17 AM.