Antiandrogen
Reviews
4.1
1330 Reviews
Antiandrogen
Efficacy
68%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Antiandrogen
Side Effects
High
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.
Read All About Spironolactone
Compare To Other Treatments
5
51%
4
28%
3
10.1%
2
4.9%
1
6.1%

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
November 10, 2008

Pros:

Blackheads disappered, face less oily

Cons:

Acne is still not even remotely clear. Have to use lotion a lot more because it dried out my skin.

I was put on Spiro exactly two months ago. First week it cleared up my blackheads and made my face less oily. Love that!!! Other then that nothing else has changed. Still get bad flare-ups that hurt and look really awful. I had a follow-up this morning with my Dr. My Dr. says if Spiro were going to work for me we would have seen a lot more improvements by now. So I will be starting a new med. tomorrow. Doxy-something, an antibiotic? Kind of bumbed but still hopeful that something out there is going to work.
September 13, 2008

Pros:

It seems to help slow the growth of hair on my face(chin,upper lip,and jawline..but it still appears..still dark and coarse. I was prescribed 50mg.a day..cut it to 25mg. a day think it took away my sore muscles

Cons:

I thought it was just me thinking that my legs were sore..and my breasts are definitly more swollen and tender before my period. I do find my energy level is not up to par.

It does slow the growth down. But it does still appear and it is still dark and coarse. I don't know if I will continue with it..I've been on it for 4 months now.
September 13, 2008

Pros:

I JUST STARTED TAKING IT SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2008. SO THIS IS N/A FOR NOW.

Cons:

LOTS OF TRIPS TO THE BATHROOM, DIZZY A LOT, MUSCULE ACHES, SORE THROAT. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE THE FLU AND I FEEL LIKE I HAVE ALLERGIES. I'M TAKING CLARITIN D OVER THE COUNTER TO HELP.

I'VE HAD ACNE SINCE I WAS 13 and I STILL HAVE IT AND I'M NOW 33. I WILL PUT UP WITH THE PAIN AND DISCOMFORT TO CLEAR UP THIS ACNE. I HAVE BLACKHEAD AND WHITEHEAD ALL OVER MY FACE AND SO ARE LIKE CYSTS. IF I MESS WITH THEM THEY JUST SEEM TO FILL BACK UP WITH MORE COCKA. MY PORES ARE VERY SMALL.. I JUST WANT CONFINENCE AND SELF ESTEEM BACK.
September 5, 2008

Pros:

Hoping it will help with my oily skin....

Cons:

Being careful about consuming foods with Potassium

Only been on it a week, waiting to see how I do....
August 3, 2008

Pros:

completely cleared skin in abt 4 months. initial dosage of 50mg and now up to 200mg/daily plus Yaz and Finacea(topical).

Cons:

Fortunately haven't had any side effects

This is a must try if you think your acne is hormonally driven. Have suffered with acne for over 20 years and this is the only thing that has worked. Have used all topicals - retin-a, differin, clindamycin, etc. Have used many antibiotics plus accutane and had severe side effects. The key is to keep trying until you find something that works for you. I read a lot of ba reviews about Yaz, but then I didn't have any problems at all while I've had problems with many other forms of birth control. Everyone's body is different. Get educated about the products, but if something isn't working after about 4-6 months, ditch it and move on to the next thing.
June 17, 2008

Pros:

not sure havent started

Cons:

same

I have read all the amazing things about this and want to try it asap! i went to my derm who is making me go to a specailist to get tested for polycist ovarian syndrome (sp?) and see if the specialist will then prescribe it to me my question is do all of you that are using this have POCS? or is your derm prescribing it just for acne? i really want to get on this im so desperate for something to work just a little confused as to what it is exactly treating! my acne is def hormonal and this is the first time ive broken out or had bad acne and it hasnt gotten better in a year! im just starting yaz to see if that will help to. and i have some random hair growth :( gross i know! HELP!!!!!
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.
March 1, 2007

Pros:

My skin has definitely cleared up after only 2 weeks of being on 75 mg a day. Nothing has worked this well since accutane.

Cons:

I get extreme headaches, i'm dizzy and tired all of the time and and wake up almost everynight with a crazy cold sweat to the point where i have to change my clothes. Has this happened to anyone else?????

I love it and i hope the side effects subside.
November 20, 2011

Pros:

Noting yet :(

Cons:

My face is breaking out :(
Taking a pill 2x a day.

I have been on this medicine for 2 weeks and my face has never looked so bad. My acne is hormonal therefore I only break out right before my period. My derm recommend this medicine. I take 50mg a day. After reading some of the reviews it sounds like my face will get worse before it gets better. But how long do I have to wait? I am very tempted to stop taking this medication. I am 36 years old and having "this much" acne is embarrassing.
December 4, 2010

Pros:

Completely cleared my skin from severe to flawless in one month.

Cons:

SEVERE exhaustion, frequent urination, dehydration, depression, headaches

Honestly I never thought I would say this but I would rather have pimples than feel the way I did while taking this medication. There are some pretty nasty side effects associated with this med including cancer so I highly suggest looking into this before you start. Also, this will not work for everyone. I know we all like to think our acne is hormonal but I see reviews on here that this med did not work for quite a few people. It cleared up my severe acne within one month. If it has been a few months and still hasn't done much you should probably look into something else.

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.