Antiandrogen
Reviews
4.1
1330 Reviews
Antiandrogen
Efficacy
68%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Antiandrogen
Side Effects
High
Antiandrogen
Acne.org’s Real World Take
“Spiro” has been shown to work in a real and noticeable way most of the time. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution.
Antiandrogen
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Read All About Spironolactone
Compare To Other Treatments
5
51%
4
28%
3
10.1%
2
4.9%
1
6.1%

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
May 31, 2009

Pros:

works great skin is less oily less breakout no cyst hair is less oily as well

Cons:

the only side effect for me has been decreased libido (yikes!) i hope that will go away

i love this med i have also tried everything from Rx to Otc. oral and topical this is the first thing to give me this much hope in a long time. The thought of having bigger boobs is a nice plus i just hope that im one of the ones that this happens for. if you think your acne is hormonal you should definitely give this a try its very affordable as well just be sure to drink plently of water.
May 29, 2009

Pros:

cheap, easy to take

Cons:

made me feel dizzy and very sick most of the time, didn't notice any improvement in my skin

This medication apparently lowers your blood pressure so if you have normally lower blood pressure like I do, may not be worth it. I stuck with it for a month but with no results I couldn't handle the side effects.
May 4, 2009

Pros:

This has made a noticable difference, I have been using it based on this website for approximately 2 months now. I was originally put on 25mg but found that after about 3 weeks I hit a plateau so asked my GP to put me on 50mg.

Cons:

I feel that after about 2 months I am hitting another plateau, but after reding reviews I can see that this is seems pretty normal and its just about sticking with it.

I am using Spiro with Duac cream, Dermalogica Medibac facewash, Dermalogica active moist moisturizer (oil free) this has really helped with any drying in the skin. Spiro does make a difference, I know longer get painful spots and feel that it can take time as with anything but just stick with it. Taking Vitamin E tablets will help with healing any previous damage done to your skin and of course drinking lots of purified water (which I intend in doing more of) .
April 13, 2009

Pros:

I cleared my acne right away almost! I still have a little bit of scaring but It has definitely has done the job!

Cons:

Im usually always tired and It has made me a little more worn out but I just keep on going! But besides that every thing is all good!;)

Well I started getting acne after my tubal with my third son! I think my hormones got all messed up and It started breaking my face out. I also use rentin a on my face that has really helped with my oily skin and control my acne too. The wierd thing is I havent started my period yet has this happend to anyone else? I wouldn't call it a bad thing though.
April 6, 2009

Pros:

i never get big pimples any more and my skin is a lot smoother

Cons:

i have to go to the bathrom more but i haven't noticed any other side effects

this has helped my acne a lot but my skin still isn't perfect. i still get pimples and while they don't get as large, they take longer to heal. i have a lot of red marks where pimples used to be that have not faded yet. i have been taking 100mg/day and since i have responded well to the treatment, my doctor has increased it to 150mg/day. i hope it works!
March 10, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, you have to wax your eyebrows less often (the hair just doesn't seem to grow back once it's been plucked), no bloating, bigger boobs :]

Cons:

tiredness, occasional dizziness, bloodwork every 6 months (to check potassium levels), frequent need to urinate

The pros outweigh the cons by far with this miracle drug. I used to be on heavy antibiotics, which made me nauseous every morning and didn't even work that well. Spiro really has mild side effects: the dizziness was only for the first few months and I do get tired sometimes, but only when I eat junk and don't exercise. My skin isn't oily at all now, even if I go all day without blotting or washing it. I have skipped my daily shower twice in the past year, and that used to be a definite promise of a breakout the next day, but both times I have woken up with dewy, clear skin. You can't put a price on waking up and feeling beautiful, and not having your skin physically hurt because of pimples. I highly recommend spiro to any girls who have hormonal (cystic, around the mouth/chin) acne.
February 25, 2009

Pros:

It seems that is working, no regulations like accutane, cheap, appetite supressor so you don't gain weight

Cons:

Irregular period, going to bathroom a lot, waking up thirsty at night

I'm using this drug (100 mg) almost for 6 weeks now, just one day after I stopped my third course of accutane. I had mild acne on my chin after I stopped BC pills, but my main problem was the bumpy skin texture which went from tolerable to horrible after I stoppped the BC pills. I started accutane three years ago, and in 5 months I had the same beautiful skin I had when I was 18. It worked fast. But as soon as I stopped accutane, all the uneven texture came back in a month. I also used tazorac just once or twice and it completely ruined my chin. so I went for the second and third course of accutane (20 mg every other day), but every time I stopped, my chin looked so ugly. Millions of tiny bumps on my chin under the skin that makes it bumpy and wrinkly. So I read about the spiro in this website and asked my derm for it. In my 6th week of stopping accutane and using spiro, a little of the uneven texture has come back but it is not at all as bad as before. I'm sure spiro is working.
February 22, 2009

Pros:

Lost weight, bigger boobs, hopes of clear skin....

Cons:

None

I started this about 2 weeks ago and so far I have a had a pretty bad breakout on my chin.... which is strange because before I only had small tiny tiny bumps and now they are huge inflamed pimples!!! I'm hoping maybe everything is just coming to the surface as of now! But I have heard it takes awhile to kick in so I am sticking with it! I mean its kind of my last hope! Antibiotics made my skin crystal clear but I seemed to have run out of ones I can take since I become resistant! ugh. And accutane is horrible!! I got only worse while on it and get scars now because of it! So I'm staying optimistic about Spiro! for now.....
February 9, 2009

Pros:

Might clear up stubborn flare ups

Cons:

gastrointestinal; cancer risk; low blood pressure

I have a new RX for 50 mg per day. Afraid to take because of possible side effects. I am over 60 yrs old and still breaking out, have migraines too, assume hormonal fluctuation. Not many people on this site are my age and still have acne, so find it hard to find answers. Worry about cancer risk, though it's not in my family.
November 30, 2008

Pros:

It has been almost a month and I've seen a big difference in my acne. My doctor put me on Spironolactone for facial hair on my chin and in my lip area. While researching it, I read that it helps with acne, too. It works for both. I'm thrilled!

Cons:

So far, I'm just noticing that I have to pee more often.

I'm thrilled that it is addressing both of the problems that I've had with my face- the acne and the facial hair.

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.