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:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
April 14, 2009
Cons:
lowers blood pressure, not something i want to take long term
I have been on this medication for almost two weeks, I have noticed improvements in my skin but it definitely not an instant fix. Spino is perscribed if you have hormonal acne, so in essence its an attempt to control the root of the problem your hormones that are causing you to break out by blocking the androgen (male) homone receptors in your body. This is the first time i have been to a derm in years, I took ortho for years and it worked but in the past year something has changed. So i am taking this in effort to balance out my hormones again, and i am not on any type of BC.
I am on Spino 25mg twice a day, Cephalexin 100mg twice a day.
Spino is supposed to block androgen hormone receptors in your body that can cause hormonal acne so in essence working from the inside out something topicals cannot do. I am also on the anti-biotic Cephalexin to take care of the acne already there. I will post back in a month hopefully with a rave review.
April 9, 2009
Pros:
so far just makes my pimples come to a head faster
Cons:
dryness, especially around the mouth. Flaky skin.
A lot of bathroom breaks!
I've also expirienced fatigue.
I've been on 50 mg per day, for about 3 weeks and havent noticed any improvements so far. I had a horrible initial breakout. Does anyone know how long it takes to start noticing some improvements?
April 7, 2009
Pros:
I've been using this for six months. I still get small pimples but nothing like that painful red cysts that plagued my chin and cheeks. I have not had a bad pimple since December and now it is April.
Cons:
My nails have become very weak and splitting, and my gums are more sensitive. I tried lowering the dose to 25mg but I started to break out again, so I am back up to 50.
Great for cystic acne. I am having side effects but I would rather have weak nails than painful lumps on my face! Anyone else experiencing the nail thing?
January 25, 2009
Pros:
After 6 weeks my face looks better than it has in years. I have no oily skin.
Cons:
At first I was so tired and dizzy but with in a month those symptoms went away. I am still dizzy at times but not much at all.
Spiro along with prayer has made my life GREAT! I have people asking me what I am doing, my skin looks so good. My face is more clear than it has been since I was in midle school. I am 20 years old and fought acne since I was 11! This is a miracle! It took time to work and yes it got much worse before it got better but I am so glad I hung on. I plan to continue this medication. I am only on 50 mg a day and it seems to be doing the trick. All of a sudden one morning I woke up and my face was clear and I see it improve almost hourly!
January 5, 2009
Pros:
It works. Cheap even if you don't have insurance.
Cons:
Acts as a diuretic so you pee a lot more. Dehydration if you don't drink enough water. Must be careful about potassium intake. Can mess with your cycle or completely regulate it depending on the person
I've been on spiro for a year and a half now, started on 50mg/day and ramped up to 100mg/day after 2 weeks and have been on that dose since. My acne definitely got 80-90% better, but I went without having my period for 9 months (no, not pregnant lol). Since I started getting it again, I now get it every 15 days, it's lighter flow but it's odd (I'm still shedding old lining so it's very dark 'blood' [according to my GYN it's old uterine lining that had built up] mixed with the normal menses). However, I have moderate PCOS that's getting worse with time so that's more than likely the cause of the menstrual issues...but because of the timing, spiro indeed did stop my period for those 9 months. Also, if you drink more than once a week I don't recommend spiro. I'm not a regular drinker, maybe 2x a month, and when I do I'll have 3 glasses of water for every drink I have, and it's never more than 2 alcoholic bevs but I still notice a significant drying of my facial skin for a few days
November 13, 2008
Pros:
Less oily skin, not irritating like topicals
Cons:
Haven't taken it long enough to know if it stays effective/safe. Must use in combination with an OC for full effect
I'm 28, persistent moderate acne since my teenage years. The only medication that helped me clear was Diane 35 but after a few years I started to get flare ups around my period and a less oily but still quite oily face - I carried blotting papers everywhere. I tried combining Diane w/antibiotics and Retin-A to reduce breakouts. After a year of this my face felt irritated rather than clear. If I used less Retin-A I broke out, if I used more I didn't break out but had irritated, still oily skin. As my acne is hormonal I asked about spiro and have been taking only 25mg/day. It works well in combination with Diane. Much less oily, no PMS breakouts, side effects so far are minimal. Everyone is different, but if you're over 25, still breaking out, have PMS, oily skin ask your derm about spiro at low does in combination w/OC- many will cut you off because studies using higher doses show scary side effects. Google Dr James C Shaw and bring his articles to your doc.
October 25, 2008
Pros:
Does clear up your skin, but takes about two months. Still get cystic acne on occasion. Boobs have gotten a little bigger, and it kinda helps with cramps. skin not as oily, almost a little to dry.
Cons:
Its like i have a baby bladder now, you will pee all the time.Boobs may be bigger, but they hurt like a b!*@h! when i first started the meds i got a little shaky, like i had to much coffee.
My skin is not where i want it to be yet, but i know these things take time. There is no such thing as a miracle acne pill, i just have to remember that. But i can see results, and others have noticed as well. I have been taking 50 mg a day for two months, and was just raised to 100 mg a day. So i'll just have to see how it all works out.
Good luck to all of you taking or thinking about taking Spiro.
August 13, 2008
Pros:
Was on everything from doxy to differin, acne was getting worse, tried spirno. Worked within a few weeks bumps going away, still had acne scars using lightening cream for that. Acne problem seems to be hormonal.
Cons:
frequent restroom trips, but worth the clear skin
Using 50mg day, as well as topical med for scarring. Have been seeing derm for about 1 1/2 yrs, spirno seems to work for me, have been on antibiotics, which did't help. Last step would be accutane dont want to go on it, so keeping my fingers cross that spirno works for yrs to come.
July 18, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up my acne within a few months of taking it.
Cons:
Decreases saliva production which leads to dry mouth and cavities.
Works very well especially if you have tried many different antibiotics and have not seen longer term results. However make sure to have a dental care routine which includes daily flossing and fluoride rinse to avoid any dental complications.
July 9, 2008
Pros:
none so far
Cons:
my skin has actually gotten a lot worse (initial breakout?)
I have had acne for six years and tried nine different pill medications (like antibiotics and such) and six different topical creams. Nothing has worked. I recently went to a new dermo who prescribed me this spironolactone. I have read that its supposed to make my skin worse before it gets better, so I'm hoping thats the reason I'm breaking out so much more than ever. I will try to hang in there until the two month mark when most people see all the results.
Pros:
tiny pill, cheap, easy to take, no adverse side effects