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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November 27, 2007

Pros:

Spironolactone works great. I have tried everything and finally had a dermatologist in oxford MS that prescribed it to me. I am 41 and have had nothing but clear skin for over a year. The texture of my skin improved as well.

Spironlactone works. Dermatologists don't always prescribe it because they know it works and they don't want to lose potential business of your coming back month after month for oral antibiotics, etc. Go to a nurse practicioner or gp and you will be able to get this drug prescribed to you.
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November 16, 2007

Pros:

***** This Works Wonders********

Cons:

A little bit more tired.... Use the restroom a bit more.... but WORTH IT!

Hi... My name is Allison..I'm a 28 year old teacher who like everyone else has tried everything... all sorts of antibotics,topicals, over the past few years. My acne was never bad or out of control until I hit 27. It got so horrible that my doctor finally put me on accutane(Oct,2006). I was on a low dose for 5 months and cleared beautifully. It got so bad though the first few months I didnt want to go anywhere..not even to work. My doctor gave me spiro to take during the last month. I continued but not consistantly and stopped taking it all togther in July.October of this year 2007 my face got so oily and was getting really nasty again little bumps everywhere. I upped my dose of spiro 100 a day and have taken it everynight for the past 2 1/2 weeks.... my face is so clear..no oil... and my face looks awesome! I will never go off of this again. I am petite 5'6 and 110 pounds... 100 mg works for me! Plese stick to it even if it gets worse .. it is so worth......!!!!!
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November 16, 2007

Pros:

Spironolactone works great. After having acne in my teens, then in my thirties with the deep "undergrounds" sprironolactone cleared my skin beautifully. I couldn't believe it after I used laser treatment, years of actibiotics and topical creams.

Cons:

The downside, it caused severe breast tenderness. But I found if I took 500 mg of vitamin e along with the pill, I experienced no breast tenderness at all.

I think it is really short of a miracle. I have been taking it four a few years now. Intially I began with 25 mg have worked up to 100 mg then down to 25 mg. I don't know how long one can take this medication.
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November 14, 2007

Pros:

I've been on this since July. I don't have much acne, just very oily skin and blackheads esp.on my nose. The oiliness has definitely decreased and my pores are smaller, I like how it makes my skin look. I also used Retin A pads a couple times a wk.

Cons:

It makes me a little dizzy sometimes. I do feel tired sometimes. My nose is still a little oily. When I needed a refil the nurse called to say they are required to do bloodwork every 6 mo.

I want to continue using it, I like the results. I am concerned about the blood testing and not sure what the purpose of that is. Is it just for potassium levels or is there more to it? Does anyone know if the longer you are on it does it become less effective. I read a post that said they were bumped up from 50mg to 150mg. I think I could use a higher dose but want to be more certain of safety.
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November 12, 2007

Pros:

Ive only been on this for a few days now but it has seemed to calm my skin down somewhat already. For instance, less inflamation.

Cons:

I couldn't really list any cons at this point. I've really just started it but I do feel somewhat tired, which i read some others experienced as well.

I really hope this is the answer to my specific problem which is occasional cysts. Ive never (knock on wood) really had all over acne. Just the occasional cyst that pops up usually close to (mainly before) my period. Since im so hypersensitive about my skin these really, really bother me. I was even considering going on accutane although my situation is not as desperate as most who go on accutane. Its just that nothing really seems to work for these deep and hard cysts. I really hope this is the answer and i will update all of you who are also concerned with your own cystic acne.
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November 12, 2007

Pros:

THIS IS THE ONLY ACNE MEDICATION THAT HAS EVER WORKED. MY SKIN HAS NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD!!!

Cons:

took 3 months to really work well. Not easy to find a Dr. to prescribe it.

This medication transformed my skin. I didn't just get rid of my acne, I got BEAUTIFUL skin!!!
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November 9, 2007

Pros:

IT ACTUALLY WORKS!! Its the most effective consistant treatment I have tried. AMAZING FOR CYSTIC ACNE!!!!

Cons:

none...unless you dont like to pee a lot

I had clear skin thru H.S. and collage then BAM! like a bat out of hell, my face just went crazy! I had the most painful cyst all over my face and unless I got them injected they wouldnt heal up for weeks! I tried every antibiotic you can think of, every cream, even steriods!! The only option I had left was accutane but I didnt want to go that harsh. I finally had a new dermatologist tell me about this and after about a month my face looks amazing!!! I still have a little scaring but other then that no new break outs!!! its amazing! Ill get a tiny break out around my period that last literally a day. I take 50mg 2x a day and I swear its a miricle. try it its awesome!!! No side effects other then having to pee. Just make sure you drink a lot of water!!!! I LOVE THIS DRUG!!!!!!!!!
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November 9, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my skin better than antibiotics and topicals. It does make you pee a lot, but this goes away after a few months.

Cons:

none

Does anyone have a dermatologist in NYC they would recommend who prescribes them Spiro? I have had a great experience with this medication, but most of the doctors I have seen do not like to prescribe it, since it's off-label for acne.
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November 6, 2007

Pros:

Effective and affordable

Cons:

None

I was on this for 6 months last year and my face cleared up great. I stopped taking it, and 4 months later I started breaking out again. I had regular, controllable acne until I had my daughter (in 1994). I've done a course of Accutane, which didn't clear me completely, and I don't intend to take it again, if at all possible. I've been back on the spiro for 8 weeks and my face is clear. I was also on Retin-A Micro when I started the spiro and I think that may have contributed to some of the acne I was continuing to get after I started back on the spiro. I stopped using the RAM last week, and it made a big, immediate difference. I don't know why I keep trying to use Retin-A. I've been unable to use it every since my course of Accutane (finished in 2002), but I keep trying. Anyway, I'd give the spiro a try. I'm 43 and don't intend to stop taking it. I've been suffering from acne for 31 yrs, severe acne for the last 13 yrs. My derm said it takes about 6 months to see the full benefits.
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November 4, 2007

Pros:

!!!WORKS!!!!

Cons:

might not be for everyone
was tired a few monthes
minty taste

ive taken this for the passed 1 1/2 and its been a miracle! i started of 50mg and i notice a change within the first month but eventualli i was moved up to 150mg. it took me about 3monthes to see a full change. no oil no acne! im not as grumpy and my periods are less painful. a blessing!! no more wasting money on products that didnt work!!!!!! o and i personally hate flavored pills...... just try this for a few monthes...its cheap and may work.
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