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
July 16, 2012

Pros:

May be decreasing in size but not so much quantity.
Lost a bit of weight.
Face feels a bit fuller.

Cons:

May be drying my face, but I am still very hopeful. I have urinated at least 6 times today.

I started last week with 50mg a day. I don't know if it is working yet because I feel my face feels irritated still. I am 19 and have never had severe acne until now. It makes me self conscience and not secure of myself. I cannot cope with how much it hurts to be under my own skin (metaphorically and physically). But I hope that it begins to clear up my face soon. My face gets red but I try not to put too much junk on it.
April 18, 2012

Pros:

Less oily
I don't know about the acne (too soon to tell)

Cons:

Initial Breakout
Have to pee a lot at first

I've been taking spiro for 19 days and so far I haven't seen any improvements. My acne is actually getting worse, I used to get a few every now and then, nothing major, but they keep popping up and when I think they stop, more come. I'm going crazy, I get that it takes time, but how much longer do I need to put up with this? I'm getting miserable, I don't feel comfortable going out anymore and I hate it. I'm really hoping to see some results in the next 2 weeks. If not, I'm going back to my Doctor. I see all these positive results, but it's hard to keep positive when I look like this.
February 13, 2009

Pros:

such clear skin! - - less oily skin & hair

Cons:

extreme over-drying of skin

I am 18 years old, and i have been on spironolactone for a little over a year. It has been the best thing that has ever happened to me. All i can say to other people is to keep waiting, at least for up to 9 months. It does not work it's complete magic until a year. I am on 50 mg twice a day. My skin is literally perfect - i can now go outside with no makeup! if you stay on this medication it should do some serious work on your skin - in a good way. When all u have is bumps on your face, its hard to look on the bright side. but once you get the skin you've been waiting for, all of your depression is the past
August 19, 2008

Pros:

Haven't Noticed any yet

Cons:

Scary Side Effects...

I hate to leave a review after only being on this med for about a week, (seeing how every acne med takes time) But I have been having some pretty intense side effects with this drug and wondering if is even at all safe to stick it out. I started takeing 50mg twice a day, and am wondering if maybe that was too much for my body to handle at first. My derm perscribed this to me and didn't say anything about gradually starting on the drug then eventually working my way up to a higher dosage. As I read past reviews it seems like everyone started on a smaller dosage and then increased as their body got used to it. In one week I have had headaches, cramps, muscle tenderness, fatigue, dizziness, dry mouth, and chest pain.. (a little scary) I cut my pills in 1/2 and the side effects have seemed to subside a bit. I would appreciate any feedback on this, Has anyone else had this problem?
May 12, 2007

Pros:

Clears up, just slowly. The pills even have a little bit of a minty taste. They also make you go to the bathroom a lot, which made me lose weight, so I am not complaining.

Cons:

A little lethargic, especially in the morning for me.

Talk to your derm and see what he/she says. I have had very little side effects, and if I did have some, I didn't mind them. Yes, it did make me break out worse at first, but be patient. Just make sure and drink plenty of water. Basically, I have battled awful complexion for years now, done all of it (accutane, antibiotics, and everything else), I have only been on this for about 6 weeks, I am still not clear, but I am seeing a glimmer of hope that I will be (my face and scalp are so much less oily). I am sticking in there and seeing this pill through, I have seen improvments, patience is the key! I will post again in a few weeks.
March 11, 2011

Pros:

TBD

Cons:

Tired, Diarrhea?

Not sure yet. I started taking 50mg 2x a day just yesterday morning, and almost immediately started experiencing diarrhea. I didn't see that anyone else had that symptom, so I'm a bit worried. Maybe it's a coincidence as I usually respond to most meds really well. Anyone have this symptom?
November 6, 2009

Pros:

Worked extremely well, however NOT WORTH the heart palpatations!!

Cons:

VERY BAD HEART PALPITATIONS after 2 months...very scary i thought my heart was going to stop and it did several times and i stopped taking. Took a 25mg pill 1 time a week later to make sure and same thing started happening. PLEASE WATCH YOUR HEART!

Not worth the risk, but did work very well the first two months before the side effects started...
August 20, 2009

Pros:

May have lost some water weight.

Cons:

Has not cleared my skin at all. Possible headaches. Dry mouth.

Does not work for me. Have been on 100 mg/day for almost 2 months.
January 4, 2009

Pros:

I've been using Spiro for 2 months now and I'm happy with the results. I have no breakouts and have had zero side effects of taking the medication.

Cons:

period still arrives at the same time each month, but it's alot lighter.

I'm 30 yrs old and I was getting the hormonal breakouts as soon as my period was to arrive each month, other than that, I never broke out, so I went on Spiro and it stopped the monthly breakouts. I'm only on 50mg a day but it works for me. My dermatologist also prescribed Differin and I used it for a few days at the beginning but it was too drying and I've never used it since. I go back to the Derma in a month for a check in and I'll be curious to see if I continue on this or just use it less, like the two weeks before I get my period.
March 20, 2012

Pros:

worked wonders!
easy to remember to take (2x day)

I LOVE THIS

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.