"After 200 person-years of exposure to spironolactone and 506 person-years of followup over 8 years, no serious illnesses thought to be attributed to spironolactone were reported. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe. Side effects, however, are common, although not usually a cause for stopping the drug."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12219252

Perhaps bringing that study in will help your case.

"After 200 person-years of exposure to spironolactone and 506 person-years of followup over 8 years, no serious illnesses thought to be attributed to spironolactone were reported. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe. Side effects, however, are common, although not usually a cause for stopping the drug."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12219252

Perhaps bringing that study in will help your case.

Thanks again Green Gables. You definitely know your stuff about hormones, etc.

I did refill another month of spiro Rx today and I asked the pharmacist about the long term effects of taking this drug. His response was that he's aware I'm not taking it for high blood pressure but for dermatological reasons because of hormonal imbalance therefore I won't be on it forever. (yes, that's my thought too about going off this drug once I'm past perimenopause, hopefully anyways) Therefore, he thinks I won't have any long term effects, other than the typical side effects. (more urination, etc.) He said that he usually dispenses this drug for people with hypertension and they're on it long term so that's a different story altogether he said. I'll press my case with the dermatologist and gp for continuing this drug. (my skin will thank me for it)

"After 200 person-years of exposure to spironolactone and 506 person-years of followup over 8 years, no serious illnesses thought to be attributed to spironolactone were reported. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe. Side effects, however, are common, although not usually a cause for stopping the drug."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12219252

Perhaps bringing that study in will help your case.

Thanks again Green Gables. You definitely know your stuff about hormones, etc.

I did refill another month of spiro Rx today and I asked the pharmacist about the long term effects of taking this drug. His response was that he's aware I'm not taking it for high blood pressure but for dermatological reasons because of hormonal imbalance therefore I won't be on it forever. (yes, that's my thought too about going off this drug once I'm past perimenopause, hopefully anyways) Therefore, he thinks I won't have any long term effects, other than the typical side effects. (more urination, etc.) He said that he usually dispenses this drug for people with hypertension and they're on it long term so that's a different story altogether he said. I'll press my case with the dermatologist and gp for continuing this drug. (my skin will thank me for it)

When I go off it, my acne comes back. I have gone off it probably 3 times now and always get a breakout. I go back on it, stay clear. For me that is good enough, unless there is a really, really serious documented reason I should not. I am not in perimenopause, but I am long past the age for acne...I got acne early in my teenage years and it never stopped until spiro.

"After 200 person-years of exposure to spironolactone and 506 person-years of followup over 8 years, no serious illnesses thought to be attributed to spironolactone were reported. The long-term use of spironolactone in the treatment of acne in women appears to be safe. Side effects, however, are common, although not usually a cause for stopping the drug."

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12219252

Perhaps bringing that study in will help your case.

Thanks again Green Gables. You definitely know your stuff about hormones, etc.

I did refill another month of spiro Rx today and I asked the pharmacist about the long term effects of taking this drug. His response was that he's aware I'm not taking it for high blood pressure but for dermatological reasons because of hormonal imbalance therefore I won't be on it forever. (yes, that's my thought too about going off this drug once I'm past perimenopause, hopefully anyways) Therefore, he thinks I won't have any long term effects, other than the typical side effects. (more urination, etc.) He said that he usually dispenses this drug for people with hypertension and they're on it long term so that's a different story altogether he said. I'll press my case with the dermatologist and gp for continuing this drug. (my skin will thank me for it)

When I go off it, my acne comes back. I have gone off it probably 3 times now and always get a breakout. I go back on it, stay clear. For me that is good enough, unless there is a really, really serious documented reason I should not. I am not in perimenopause, but I am long past the age for acne...I got acne early in my teenage years and it never stopped until spiro.

Just as I thought, if spiro is controlling the acne then going off it will bring it back. As I've mentioned before, I've experienced minimal side effects so unless there are serious medical issues for me, I'd like to stay on it and hope that once my hormones aren't so wonky it will be ok. My acne went away after my teenage years so I'm hoping the same thing will happen once I'm in menopause. (I will look into the natural progesterone cream too)