Spironolactone
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Spironolactone is a type of oral medication called an anti-androgen that is sometimes prescribed to females. Androgens are male hormones that are present...

Spironolactone is a type of oral medication called an anti-androgen that is sometimes prescribed to females. Androgens are male hormones that are present in both males and females that lead to more acne, and spironolactone helps reduce androgens.

It is usually taken once or twice a day, around the same time(s), preferably with a meal.

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3
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2
4.6%
1
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February 23, 2008

Pros:

Decreased oil production - 2-4 weeks
Finer & lighter hair - 4-6 months. Remember the hair on your body today was produced under the influence of hormones 6 months ago. Need time for this to work.

Cons:

Diuretic- increased urination and possibly dizziness. Drink plenty of water and reduce your dose if you are feeling dizzy.

I am a 30 year old medical student with POCS, mild acne and hiruisitism (and very poor spelling). Anyway, I was on spiro (plus birth control) years ago as a teenager and it did wonders for my skin- clearing up acne after a few months of use. I went off it as my skin cleared on its own in my early 20's and I took care of my facial hair with laser hair removal (really wonderful for those with dark facial hair). But now with the stress of med school my skin started breaking out again and i decided to go back to the spiro (plus some retin-a this time) and its been a nice improvement. This drug is a diuretic - drink your water! And reduce the dose if you get dizzy. Talk to your doctor -OBGYN or dermatologist. Dose - starting 25mg 2x/day. max dose 100mg 2x/day. It is a very short acting - need 2x a day dosing to be most effective.
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February 21, 2008

Pros:

It worked for me when nothing else did. Cleared up my face, chest and back acne and drastically reduced the oiliness of my skin. This is better than anything I've ever taken for my acne.

Cons:

I urinate a little more than usual.

Nothing has worked for my like this! I had TERRIBLE acne on my face and back and this is the only thing that got rid of it. I still get the occasional breakout during that time of the month but it is completely tolerable. In response to ANRsays, I am also on Yaz and yes, if you take Spiro and Yaz together for a few months, you will have great skin!!!!!!!
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February 21, 2008

Pros:

better facial skin all around!!!

Cons:

none, except for maybe having to take a pill
1-2 times a day

I have had rally horrible cystic acne on my chin for about the last 10+ years, consistently.....one pops up just as the others recede, and it's a never ending story...... I had tried antibiotic) benzaclin, birth control but NOTHING worked. As everyone else says, within the with 2 months I had a HORRIBLE breakout....probably the worst in my life. But once it cleared up, it cleared up for good! first I was 25mg, then 50 mg, and now 50 mg twice a day. I never thought ANYTHING would heal my acne. Spironolactone is amaizng! A wonder drug for hormonal acne. I reccommend it 105% My new cleansing plan is 50 mg of spiro in the AM along with probiotics & garlic capsules, and the same repeated in the night before bed. And I also wash my face in the shower with Cetephil Antibacterial Soap and the combo works WONDERS!
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February 20, 2008

Pros:

skin and hair less oily
reduced cysts

Cons:

gets worse before it gets better
frequent urination
Dizzy sometimes

IF YOU ARE DISCOURAGED BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT THIS MEDICINE IS NOT WORKING PLEEEEASE STICK IT OUT! I have been taking Spiro for about 2 months now and I have seen a huge difference in the reduction of painful cysts and blemishes. I felt so horrible because my skin looked worse than ever that I barely wanted to go anyone or be up close to anyone. I was especially concerned with the lighting everywhere I went because my face was that bad. Within the last week I have seen an improvement and it has been 2 months.At some points it seems like 2 steps forward, and then 2 steps back, but It is important to stick it out! It stinks, but you have to be patient! Give it 3 months! It seems to be working for me, and I have tried everything under the sun except for accutane. I am hoping for even clearer skin at 3 months like everyone says!
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February 16, 2008

Pros:

Complexion smoother and oiliness reduced.

Cons:

Very tired and somewhat irritable. Dizzy and dried out!

I have been taking Spiro for over a month now. My reason for taking it - facial and body hair. I neer really had much acne problems - very minor! It doesn't seem to be improving the hair issues as of yet but my face is looking more even toned. I also have always had an extremely oily complexion which seems to have reduced somewhat. I am on 50mg p/day. Does anyone know how long it takes before one notices an improvement in the hair growth?
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February 9, 2008

Pros:

Really does the trick

Cons:

Frequent urination, takes 3 months to start working and during that time acne gets worse

I am in love with this product, my skin hasn't looked this good even since I was a kid. I have had acne since I was 10 and have been through it all. When I turned 16 I went on Yasmin to control my acne. That did wonders for my face, but nothing for my back. After a year I had to go off Yasmin after a series of bad head aches and other problems that come with the pill. I went back to trying to balance other medications which were fine, but I would still have minor break outs from time to time. My derm finally told me to try Spironolactone after four more years of frustration. The first three months were horrible, my acne got much worse. I was about to give up when one morning I woke up and the acne was much better. For another 2 months I had a little patch of small red spots on my chin but they faded. It has been 7 months now and my skin looks amazing. I don't even bother with makeup anymore! This is the first product I have used that has cleared my back up. The best thing a
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February 9, 2008

Pros:

Inexpensive, not many side effects, actually effectively cleared up my skin.

Cons:

I'm a little bit wary of having to take this long term in order to keep my skin clear.

I had moderate acne when I was a teenager and tried tetracycline, topical medications and even accutane. My skin was never "perfect" even after accutane. Within the past year I went back to the dermatologist and tried topicals, changing birth control, and antibiotics. Nothing helped, and I just would up with not just broken out skin, but dry flaky skin on top of it. It was a nightmare; I was starting to feel depressed and didn't even want to go out because of my skin. Out of desperation I went back on Yasmin as that was the only thing that really cleared up my skin, but it made me a little bit emotionally crazy and I couldn't stand it. FINALLY the dermatologist prescribed Spiro! I've been taking it for about a month and my skin has cleared up tremendously! I'm to the point where I'm not just thinking "ok, my skin is improving and clearing up," but I think "wow, my skin looks GOOD!" I still have a few blemishes, but with a little concealer, my skin looks pretty darn close to perfect.
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February 9, 2008

Pros:

My husband noticed a difference after a week, my pores are smaller and my complextion seemed to even out, hardly any oil.

Cons:

Tired, heart palpatations, dry lips, can't drink enough water. Not enough to deter me.

I am supposed to take 50mg at night and in the morning but I only take the night dose because I felt weird until about 2pm. Doc also gave me Retin A for spot treatments (at night)and Benzaclin(in am). It seems that I have a glow which I've always envied people for and I still have had a couple of cyst since starting a month ago but don't get me wrong it is still better than what I dealt with in the past.
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February 9, 2008

Pros:

Fewer breakouts, reduced redness and irritation

Cons:

Fatique and dehydration

After trying a variety of acne medications (not only over the counter but also prescribed by my derm), incuding oral and topical, Spironolactone seems to be working the best. My breakouts appeared to be hormonal, however after a year of being on the birth control pill YAZ, my derm concluded that Spironolactone would compliment the effects of YAZ and overall balance my hormones. I stil break out, but episodes are fewer and further between. Does anyone know if consistently taking both YAZ and Spironolactone will eliminate my blemishes all together? Also, I was my face with Neutragena Oil Free face wash, does anyone know of anything better?
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February 7, 2008

Pros:

Affordable, no horrible aftertaste

Cons:

Makes you urinate a lot, very thirsty, possibly causes me to be tired more often

Unfortunately right now I'm in the beginning stages of taking this medication and it's made my skin HORRIBLE. I read up on a lot of people's experiences with this drug and they said it takes a while to really work, but that it does product good results. That alone is pushing me to be more patient with it, but this past month has been hell with my acne. Anyone have a reason/hypothesis as to why I only get breakouts on the right side of my face, and nothing at all on the left side? I don't sleep on my right side, I don't touch my face, nothing. It's very confusing.
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