Acne.org Products
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.
Used Spironolactone? Rate It:
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March 29, 2009
Cons:
Horrible cravings personally for sweets, frequent urination, drowsiness initially, and upset stomach/acid reflux, no period.
I have been on 50mg of Spiro for almost a month. I am giving it some time to work though. I have previously tried almost everything except accutane for my cystic acne. The Spiro seems to help by causing cysts that do appear to heal faster or even come to a head faster. i am a bad habit pimple picker :( When i go in to have my blood tests performed i might ask her about raising my dose and the possibility of taking it at night since it does seem to make me drowsy shortly after i take it. I am also going to see about taking it with a low dose bc pill since i havent had my period at all for this month and i know that i am not pregnant. Otherwise the side effects are generally mild. I'm sure other people would have less side effects than I do because i seem to be very sensitive to medication overall. I am thinking of starting a blog abaout my experience with Spiro.
March 10, 2009
Pros:
In 2 months my face has totally cleared up. I was getting cystic acne on my chin and it is all gone. I have lost about 5 pounds.
Cons:
I am having break thru spotting and my periods are heavier than normal.
This has been a miracle drug!
February 18, 2009
Pros:
I don't know yet
Cons:
Still breaking out, losing hope, more tired than usual, unmotivated, have been struggling with my daily run since taking this medication
My skin has not even begun to clear. I am about ready to quit this medication. In addition to dealing with my disgusting skin, my running has greatly suffered since starting this medication. I can't even run 2 miles anymore (use to running 6 daily) without feeling like I am going to die. I become extremely light headed and wheez which is something I never had a problem with before. Has anyone else had similar side effects and will it pass? I am also on doxycycline, birth control, and retin-a. If you can offer any info from your own experience, please email me at kristif79@[link removed]. Thanks.
February 1, 2009
Pros:
No horrible side-effects like head aches
Cons:
INITIAL BREAKOUT!!!!
I definitly have hormonal acne. Im 18 now and have been breaking out since I was 11(puberty). I have very fair features like blonde hair and blue eyes and my skin is pretty much translucent lol. My skin is always red if i even touch my face itll turn bright red so imagine having bad acne with skin like mine. Ive been taking spiro for 2 months. I started out on 25mg for 2 weeks and then uped to 50 mg which i still didnt notice any difference. I was then put on 100 mg, about a few days after that increase I broke out worse than i ever thought i could and it was right before this spring semester!! Ive still been breaking out just as bad and had to be put on depression and anxiety medication because of the devestation. I am hoping Im one of the people who r just having an initial break out for the first 3 months on this higher dose but NOTHING has ever worked for me. Ive been on every kind of antibiotic. I want to be able to feel normal w/out makeup i cant take hiding behind it nemore...
October 9, 2008
Pros:
So far so good
Cons:
Frequent urination. Feel more tired. Seem to break me out more in the beginning
Its been 3 weeks and will stay on it a few more months
September 28, 2008
Pros:
Don't know yet. Gonna stick with it.
Cons:
Acne; but I don't know if it's coming more from my topical medication (Differin) or spiro. We'll see.
I found out I have p.c.o.s. and my acne, hair loss and weight gain is due to hormonal imbalance.
I've been on Spiro for a few weeks (a little over two) now (50 mg a day.) My dermatologist prescribed Differin as well.
I thank all of you for all your input, cause I get worried easily. I seem to be breaking out more (alot of little ones on my forehead and around/on my chin) which makes me skeptical.
But I hear I need to just plug on through, so I'm going to be patient and wait it out.
Once again, I am very grateful for all of your honest input. Thanks again!
August 29, 2008
Pros:
For the first time in almost 3 years I can actually leave the house without tons of makeup bc my skin is almost completely clear
Cons:
Skin is a bit drier bc there is no oil left. I went from at the end of every day having to wipe off so much oil to nothing.. It is unbelievable. I do think this medicine makes me a bit more tired than usual but clear skin is worth it
I am in my 30s and ever since I got the Mirena IUD I have had constant cystic acne and pimple break outs month after month for almost 3 years. It has been absolutely DEVASTING for me. Nothing else worked topical, other medications etc. As a last resort before getting the IUD removed the nurse practioner at my OBGYN's office recommended this. I was skeptical but decided to try, what else could I lose since I was determined to win this battle. For the first 6 weeks my skin broke out horribly but for the last month something amazing is happening I am not having daily breakouts and for the first time in years I can walk outside without makeup. I am in shock, I just keep praying the acne doesn't come back but 4 weeks now and no pimples. If you try this be patient, I have read several other reviews with people saying the same thing give it time to work! Best of luck.
August 12, 2008
Pros:
Clearer complexion!!!! I can say it works!!!!
Cons:
Initial break out was horrible, but within a week or more, face became clear
I would recommend this to others. I have been taking this for a couple days shy of a month and it is already effective!
July 13, 2008
Pros:
less oil, acne much better! one of the best meds i've used (have been on EVERYTHING prior, even accutane twice)
Cons:
dizziness due to lower BP, lower sex drive, when first increased my dosage had scary chest pain one night but hasn't happened since
WONDERFUL Rx but does have some side effects. had to stop BC pills due to melasma and bc it killed my sex drive. been on tazorac and finacea, numerous antibiotics, mino, oracea, accutance twice (worked great but caused clinical depression) etc. i've learned that every pill you take has SOME sort of side effect. if you have hormonal acne, spiro works incredibly well. my skin and hair are much less oily, and acne free 80% of the time. my skin still breaks out a bit right before my period though. my sex drive has dropped on spiro a bit though which is fine if you are younger but is a problem for me as i'm 27 and married. am only on 75 a day in the morning and prefer not to increase any more. thinking about dropping to 50g for two weeks then to 75g for the two week pre-period and during period in hopes to increase the sex drive. does any body do a similar dosage schedule? is it safe/ok to increase before your period and drop back down afterwards? thanks!
June 26, 2008
Pros:
cleared my skin
Cons:
none
Suffered with acne since I was 13, I am now 36 and my skin is finally clear. I have been on EVERYTHING; pills, topicals.. you name it!
I also take orthotricyclen. Ther two combined is fantastic!
Pros:
mild weight loss, higher potassium so i can work out harder, skin is smoother and less oily.