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 4, 2007

Pros:

Works!! Like nothing else I ahve ever tried (and I've tried most of them).

Cons:

Made me a little dizzy or tired when first started or upping does. Goes away though.

Works. Simple and effective. I think though this is really best for hormonal adult acne. I am 37 and have battled acne all my life and have never found anything to make it go away. Retin-a micro worked for a time to lessen it but stopped working and never made it go away like this has.
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October 30, 2007

Pros:

It is the only drug that ever has worked for me!

Cons:

Was extra tired the first couple mths.

I used to get terrible back acne and chest and cystic acne on my chin and jawline. I am 35. I have been taking 100mg of spiro since Jan 2007. It is a miracle what spiro has done for for my skin. All summer I was in tanks and sundresses! Lovely.
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October 29, 2007

Pros:

Inexpensive. Worth trying.

Cons:

Required blood checks to check potasium levels. Not all dermatologists will perscribe.

After tolerating acne from early teens into my 40's and having tried EVERYTHING except Acutane, I found spirno eliminated my constant oiliness and outbreaks. Switched derms and the new one will not perscirbe. I'm checking with my primary physican at my next check up and if she won't perscribe I'll go back to my previous derm. I was only taking 25mg everyother day. I'm pushing 47 and so fed up with the shine and zits on my face and back. Sprino worked for me.
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October 27, 2007

Pros:

cheap not too expensive..

Cons:

going through a major breakout with the pills. I went in with 6 pimples now my whole face is red now... I look so horrible. afraid to face people

if this product is suppose to work.. i am still waiting. I have been using it for 2 weeks now.
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October 24, 2007
SHOOOT ME! I have been using this now for about 5 months and I am on 100mg a day. It seems to have been working fine until the last few weeks. I now have cysts and pimples all long my mouth and jaw line. I called my derm about a week or so ago and they said that sometimes it happens, but now I am really annoyed because I spend a lot of money on this and I am getting new pimples everyday.
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October 24, 2007

Pros:

Clearer skin!

Cons:

Headaches if I don't drink enough water

I am on my 9th day of taking 100mg and I think my skin looks good- I have only had 2 small pimples pop up (this could be due to me picking- ew sorry- and that time of the month). They have gone away quickly. I am also on Ortho Cyclen (sprintec) so I am hoping this will help in addition to the spiro. I was really expecting to break out REALLY badly because of the other reviews on this site, and I am happy to say this is not the case. I also have not had to make any extra bathroom trips (water usually runs quickly through me anyway). One thing I have not read about though is my fingernails today all of a sudden feel a lot smoother and stronger- could this be because of the spiro?? Not a bad thing...
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October 23, 2007

Pros:

It was the only thing that cleared up my skin. I tried everything all through my teens and early 20s. It also helped reduce some dark hairs in my upper lip and around my nipples. It helped prevent hair loss in my temples. The generic works fine.

Cons:

I feel as if I get real dried out sometimes and worry a bit about my potassium. I have low blood pressure naturally.

The cons aren't enough to make me stop taking it. I tried a couple of time to stop and my acne came roaring back. I also had some associated underarm sweatiness and smell and sensitivity on my temples for several months. I eventually got tired of this as none of the symptoms improved after almost a year, so I went back on it. I have been taking it for about 15 years now. I am 46 and will likely try going off of it again in a few years to see if I have outgrown the acne yet.
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October 12, 2007

Pros:

Affordalbe without insurance

Cons:

It took 3 months to work

I noticed a decrease in oil in just a few days but I didn't see a difference in acne until month 3, then it just stopped. I was getting depressed because I didn't think it was working for me, I didn't have a gradual decrease in spots; they just stopped altogether after 3 months. I developed acne (cystic & nodule) in my late 20's and continued to get worse over time (I am 35). Nothing over the counter worked and I didn't want to use antibiotics or BCP's so when I heard of Spironolactone I knew I had to try it. Acne on a woman over 30 is just not right; we should be concerned about keeping wrinkles at bay, not acne! I am so happy to have found something that works and is affordable, I do not have insurance so cost was a big concern for me. I was pleasantly surprise to find that Spironolactone is a $4 prescription at Giant Eagle Pharmacy (a local grocery chain). I take 150mgs per day so the cost is $24 per month. Spironolactone has been an answer to my prayers!!!
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October 9, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up my cystic acne
no side effects
not expensive

Cons:

none

I have been taking Spironolactone for approx 3 years. Used to suffer from hormonal cystic acne that left really bad scars (primarily on chin). I am happy to say that I can't remember the last breakout that I had. My skin has been clear and the cystic stuff non existent. I take 75mg per day.
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October 2, 2007

Pros:

cleared up my forehead, no noticeable side effects

Cons:

caused cystic breakouts around my mouth, made periods irregular

My derm prescribed spiro in addition to Duac and Differin. My acne was mostly little bumps all over my jaw and around my mouth, and little bumps on my forehead. After 2 weeks of seeing no change for the better or worse, it was like my face exploded, and all of a sudden I was getting a new cyst every day oround my jaw and chin. After 2 months, my derm took me off of it and put me on minocycline and it's only been a week and I'm already seeing improvement. She said spiro can be a miracle drug for some women and do nothing for others, and that you really can't know unless you try. But it definitely didn't work for me.
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