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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September 16, 2008

Pros:

softer skin but still waiting for acne to clear

Cons:

no to speak of

I started taking this medicine approximately 7 weeks ago. (200mg in am) Although my skin is severely breaking out since starting medicine, the overall quality of my skin has noticeably improved (skin is softer and blackheads have decreased somewhat). Like most people on this message board, I have struggled with acne for over ten years. I will report back once I start to see signs of improvement.
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September 10, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin

Cons:

HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

1 am 17 years old and started spiro 5 weeks ago. Although it has made my skin so much better, i wish i never started it and considered other options - my side effects are TERRIBLE - i cannot breathe, i've had a sore throat the entire 5 weeks that ive been on it, can't sleep more than 5-6 hours a night (whereas before i was sleeping 10), always tired, irregular periods, DRY skin. CONSIDER YOUR OTHER OPTIONS FIRST!!!!
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July 31, 2008

Pros:

It helped with my oily skin , excess hair, and helped clear some acne.

Cons:

It did not completely clear my skin. I have been on 200mg a day for over 10 months. I am also on Yaz. I get tired easier than a use to and I pee a lot.

It helped but did not make my skin clear. I think my derm may put me on accutane, but I am afraid that it will make my skin worse and my self esteem will be gone. I know I have a hormonal problem but I don't know if it is from PCOS or something else. If you are women who is have problems with acne you should try this because It may be your miracle drug. I hope I can find mine.
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July 12, 2008

Pros:

Side-effects are minimal.

Cons:

I've been using it for 2.5 mo and still no decrease in oiliness at all.

I started with 50mg for 1mo., 75mg for 1.5mo. I've been diagnosed with PCOS, which explains why I have extremely oily skin (gets oily 45 min after washing my face) and jawline acne. My acne has decreased somewhat but I suspect that due to the topical medication I'm also taking (Benzaclin). I think I need a higer dosage, maybe 150mg.
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July 9, 2008

Pros:

made skin less oily
Cleared skin for a few weeks every now and then

Cons:

Not clear even after long-term use
Duretic (lots of toilet trips)
Stopped my periods (convenient but worrying!)

I have mild to moderate acne, only ever on my chin. I was on this drug for 18 months. From 50mg to 175mg. I can say for sure that it made my skin less oily, and there were periods of abuot 3 weeks where i'd have clear skin. But my monthly cyst never ceased, and I've just recently broken out in about 4 cysts in a row, plus lots of other junk all around my chin, non-stop for almost a month now. I feel at 18months i've given this drug a fair run, and am just so dissapointed at the long-term results. i really thought this was going to be the wonder drug I was waiting for (have tried dianette + many many creams) :-( Also, my periods stopped altogether, which (although convenient) obviously isn't good in the long-run. I'm now quitting this and trying anti-biotics. Fingers crossed!
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July 3, 2008

Pros:

Made my hair and skin a little less oily.

Cons:

Didn't work! I was on 150 mg to 200mg/day for 16 months and all it did was give me worse acne. I was breaking out in places I never breakout and had two periods a month for over a year.

Even at 200mg/day for six months I was still breaking out really bad, and because I was getting two periods a month for over a year it made me extremely tired. I also craved salt like a crazy woman and had to pee every two hours. I've finally stopped spiro three weeks ago and my skin is clearing up. I guess it works for some women, but not for all.
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June 2, 2008

Pros:

Cleared up cystic acne by 90% in two months, very few side effects, no irritated, painful skin!

Cons:

Face is still fairly oily, still get clogged pores on nose, periods are 3 weeks apart

I am 37 years old and I've been on Accutane twice. I've been on spiro (100 mg a day) for 2 months and my face is looking better than ever! The only down side is that my periods are three weeks apart now. My derm suggested that I take this with either Yasmin or Yaz BCP to regulate the periods. I may do that.
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May 17, 2008

Pros:

much less oily, cysts have almost cleared up completely after 4 weeks

Cons:

light headed at the beginning (started with only 25mg), recently tripped and fell, mild twisted ankle, but almost passed out after. dr. said this was due to a very low BP.

Emotional

seems to be reducing oil significantly. cysts have cleared up...they became resistant to 200mg daily of doxycyline combined with trinessa (generic ortho tricyclen) and topical creams like duac/differin. i am still on the trinessa and have kept up with the topicals. it is great to be less oily and have clear skin, but 1. I feel like this drug is really no joke...we are playing with a med inicated to lower BP. also from what i have read it can cause serious birth defects, in my opinion just as bad as accutane. 2. So...has anyone been able to stop using sprio after a course of say 5 months and stay clear? Thanks!
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May 6, 2008

Pros:

Skin is less oily. Acne appears to be improving.

Cons:

Slight dizziness with increased dose (150 mg).

I have been on spironolactone for the past 5 weeks. Started with 50 mg X 2 weeks, then 100 mg X 2 weeks and now 150 mg. I have moderate-severe acne. My skin has become less oily. I continue to break out but it seems to resolve faster. I see a slight improvement in my skin. Does anyone get their potassium levels checked periodically???
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April 4, 2008

Pros:

so far none yet...

Cons:

Mouth is very dry and skin is breaking out Horribly!

I have been on this for about 2=3 weeks. My skin looks horrible! i, just like most of you, dont even want to go out of the house! and it hurts... my face actually hurts from all the acne on it! im just hoping that its just bringing it to the surface and it will all be over soon...
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