TaneBabe

Bactrim is the only antibiotic that got my skin back to almost clear in about 2 months. After 2 weeks of taking the medication, I stopped getting any underground pimples and only some superficial whiteheads every once in a while. It gave me no side effects and I luckily did not have an allergic reaction to it (which is something you really need to look out for when on this medication). I am weening off of it now that I started Isotretenoin about 20 days ago (1 pill a day) and I am really glad I had this in my system when starting accutane because my IB was very manageable. However, contrary to reviews I read on here, it took about 3-4 weeks to fully work for me rather than a week like some people have experienced. I would also like to mention that minocycline and doxycycline failed for me, so this was a real miracle worker in my eyes because other antibiotics made my acne worse it seemed.

Hi! How are you doing with everything? I know this was a long time ago, but I stopped spiro today and am starting Bactrim tomorrow to help with this breakout. Spiro caused me so much emotional pain and acne that I consider it one of the worst decisions of my life. Hope you are okay!

Hi! How long did it take to see results from both? (I know this was a long time ago but I'm about to start the same thing)

Hey Bonnie! I know it has been a couple months but I ran across my review and wanted to update. After stopping spiro, my acne and overall skin condition dramatically improved. I stayed on Bactrim for almost 2 months and am now 23 days into my course of Accutane. I have only a few congested pores and some red marks left now, but this experience taught me that this medicine is not for people as young as me (21) or people with no signs of testosterone imbalance. How are you doing?

I agree with the last comment the most. My dermatologist is extremely wise, and simply states that if by 3 months you don't see at least some improvement, then your acne is not hormonal! That seems to be what is going on with you. I would sign up for accutane, start an oral antibiotic to combat your current breakouts while waiting a month for the 'tane, and then do a round of accutane and call it a day! That's what I'm doing 🙂 1 month off spiro and wow. I actually look like myself again!

Hi there! I just wanted to let you know you are not alone. I never considered Accutane until I tried Spiro for about 3 months. This drug made my skin take a turn for the worse; I believe it was just another factor fluctuating with my hormones which caused actual acne for the first time in my whole life. I am not starting 'Tane in 12 days and have been off Spiro for about a month- my skin is already SO much better. I also think Accutane is better than Spiro because for most people (75%; but especially people with mild acne like me), it is only a 5-month process that lasts a lifetime without having to worry about taking a pill for years and years like spiro. If anyone actually reads this, please do not try this drug unless you are for sure PCOS or older. Young girls like me may experience a complete overdose of female hormones, and trust me, it is not pretty....

Just wanted to update for any people looking at this: I stopped spironolactone about 5 days ago, started Bactrim 6 days ago and the breakouts have almost completely stopped. Not just a bunch of acne marks and PIH, ugh. So glad I found what was causing my acne!

ADVICE/INSIGHT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! I have been on spironolactone for 2 months now. Here is what my experience has been like: new breakouts every day (one pimple at a time, sometimes clumps), horrible mood swings, some depression, acne in places I've never had it before, slower healing skin, darkening of all the hyperpygmentation on my face, nausea, and that's just to name a few. Heres some background information about me: I am a 21 year old college student. I always had good skin, probably one pimple on my face normally, if not clear. Around my 21st birthday I began to get ugly, long lasting deep pimples (not cysts but under the skin) around my period. My derm prescribed me this and from the 2nd week I took it the breakouts started. Deep cysts, followed now by just pimples popping up everywhere. I can't keep up with my skin and the stress it has caused me. Tomorrow I am going to my derm and I am going to try Bactrim for a few months to combat the breakouts I will probably get from getting off the medication. I also started aczone which has helped prevent new breakouts so far. I believe spiro was too strong of a medication for me to be put on. It fluctuated my hormones so severly that I am not sure if I will ever feel/look normal again. My advice, if you are young (25 and below), your hormones may not need another factor effecting them. I am hoping the best for this antibiotic but if not I am doing a low dose round of accutane. I apologize if I seem negative, however this has been the roughest 2-3 months of my life, I have little self confidence and I find myself avoiding going to class, seeing friends, and even seeing my boyfriend. I am sure for PCOS and older women, this drug is a miracle worker. However for me, it amplified the awful hormonal imbalances that I am facing at this time in my life. If you have had a similiar experience, or are my age and having these problems, please reach out. I also understand this medication can take up to 6 months to work, however my skin has already completely changed from it. I can hardly keep my pores unclogged, and while it has cut my oil production in half, my skin looks like a hyper pigmented mess and still produces acne (cystic included). Again, I apologize for the negativity and I hope all of us can find a way to manage our acne.

I have a few questions: how old are you? do you just take it once a day? how long did it take you to see results?