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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May 6, 2007

Pros:

I am 38 and had Acne since I was 12. This is the only thing that works for me. my doc would only give me 25 mg twice a day. I didn't thing it would be enough, but after 3 weeks (it got worse) my skin is totaly clear. I know take it every other day.

Cons:

Can't stop it for more than a few days or I break out really bad, with cycsts. really is the only thing that worked for me. Retin-a is ok for having blemished go away faster, but this prevents them

I love what it does for my skin, but hate the fact that I have to take medicine on a regular basis. Especially BP meds, and I have low blood presure naturally. I hope it doesn't mess up with my blood pressure. I wish I could find something that will get rid of it once and for all.
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May 4, 2007

Pros:

Cleared up skin completely, no breakouts, lost weight!!!

Cons:

NONE!!

My derm put me on this for about 9 months or so leading up to my wedding, because I was adamant about having clear skin on my wedding day. My skin was perfect!! Not a single breakout while I was on it. Plus, I lost about 10 pounds from the diuretic effect - an added bonus!!
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April 14, 2007

Pros:

Works well, few side effects.

Cons:

Will start breaking out again if stopped, occassional headaches if you don't drink enough water.

I have been taking 150mg for a year now and nothing has worked as well except for Diane 35 birth control, which made me gain a lot of weight and caused mood swings. Diane-35 is also associated with increased risk of blood clots. Spiro makes my skin less oily and I am usually at least 90% clear. However, it is heavily dose dependent. I reduced dosage by 25 mg and I started breaking out around chin area.
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April 12, 2007

Pros:

Works with no side effects

Cons:

Diuretic

I am in my 40s and still fight acne. My doctor prescribed Spiro about 5 years ago because he said it's good for older women who get acne. It worked like a charm and my skin cleared and stayed that way. It has added benefits for me because of my high blood pressure. About 2 months ago, a new doctor told me to stop taking it because he didn't think I really needed it and it wasn't proven to work for acne, so I stopped. Within a week or two I was breaking out again like a teenager, especially chin and jawline. I started doing some research, including this site, and have found that it does work well for a certain segment of the population. I'm definitely going back on it! Give it a try. You may have to run to the bathroom a little more often, but it's a small price to pay.
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April 11, 2007

Pros:

Affordably, no side effects

Cons:

Much worse breakouts

Jenna, (and others) I have been on Spiro for almost 3 weeks, I am having the same problem. I have no fatigue, headaches, etc, but my skin has gotten WORSE, almost as bad as ever. Bad, painful cysts, and many along my jaw and chin. I feel desperate too. Maybe it is normal? But no one mentioned it. I will review again when I have been on this for longer.
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April 11, 2007

Pros:

Don't know as yet, just start like 2 weeks ago

Cons:

Frequent urination and lethargy that when away. about second week in treatment.

During the first week my face break out worse than before. Frequent urination and lethargy during the first week; then in the second week of continued treatment the tiredness went away. My skin is not clear as yet, but I notice a little bit of oil reduction on my face. So, for anyone who's out there and taking sipro to treat acne and you experience any form of break out during the first weeks, it can be a normal sign that your body is adjusting to sipro and your skin is getting rid of all the excess hormone in the skin that causes your skin to break out in the first. Hormone such as DHT which causes some of us to have acne in the first place or androgen sensitivity; meaning that your skin is sensitive to normal level of testosterone in the system. Also remember acne can cause from a lot of deferent things such as: 1. Adrenal problem 2. Toxin in the body 3. Hormonal imbalance 4. PCOS 5. Yeast 6. Parasite 7. Androgen sensitivity
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April 9, 2007

Pros:

Affordable

Cons:

Headache, fatigue

I feel so desperate writing this. After reading this site and trying different things, I finally went on Spiro and have been taking it for 2 weeks. I know it hasn't been long enough to get better, but my face got so much worse. Could someone please tell me whether this is normal? I am getting really painful, deep, huge cysts I haven't gotten before along my chin. My derm didn't mention the possibility of my acne getting worse at first, and so many of you never mentioned it, so I don't know what to think... I would really appreciate some advice.
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April 7, 2007

Pros:

IT WORKS!!

Cons:

None. I experienced NO side effects.

I developed some adult onset acne around when I turned 26. It started out a just a couple big ones a month which was traumatic enough. A year later I had cystic acne. I was getting 5 or 6 big cystic pimples a month for a few months and hating my face and my life when I decided enough was enough. The first dermatologist I went to prescribed Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim, Klaron and DIfferin. I was on that regimen for 3 months and my acne was only getting worse. I was ready to go on Accutane when I went to another doctor who prescribed me Spironolactone. Even at the low dose she prescribed (25mg/day) it was unbelievable how fast it cleared up my skin. After a month and a half on it, I went off of the antibiotics altogether. At this point, my skin feels great, just like it did the first 25 years of my life. I haven't gotten a pimple big or small in 3 months! Now I'm just waiting for the scars to fade. And there are no side effects at all!
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April 4, 2007

Pros:

This cleared my skin like anything else. I 've had acne since age 14 (now I am 36) and excess body hair. I have DHEA excess (adrenal problem). Before I tried everything else without results. I am a doctor and prescribed myself 200mg/ day.

Cons:

Before this my periods were regular. Now I am bleeding for 10 days and get bleeding again on day 17. I am lowering the dose to 100mg/ day. Besides on hot weather I sweat like a sailor. Salt craving. Slight nausea. Less energy than I'm used to.

I love to see my face clear for the first time in years. Too bad I am dyslipidemic too (concerns about using oral contraceptives to stop the bleeding)
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April 1, 2007

Pros:

Clear up acne and oily skin. Began to see results after about 3 -4 weeks.

Cons:

Frequent urination, lethargy, hair is dryer, nausea

The medication works well, the first couple of weeks my acne got a bit worse and my face was very sensitive, however, after the third week my acne got much better. I have been using this for 6 weeks now, 50 mg twice dialy. Have not had outbreaks like before. I am also using Yasamin which has eliminated irregular mestruation and spotting.
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