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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March 7, 2008

Pros:

Clear skin, a bit of weight loss,

Cons:

Excessive tiredness, dizziness and light headed

This works great. I have had acne since I was 12. I had used almost every single acne product on the market and nothing worked. I even did a stint with acutane and that worked at first but eventually the acne came back.I have been on Spironolactone for more than 3 years. I started out with 50 mg doses at 2x/day however am now down at 1x /day. I have noticed my skin has acted up since I have reduced the dosages and has become a lot oilier. I may try going back up 2x/day but then I am worried I will become depended on it. Ovreall, I would definitely recommend it if you are struggling with acne.
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January 24, 2008

Pros:

I never found out...

Cons:

Incredibly itchy breasts and nipples. To the point where I would put calamine lotion on them and ice my chest at night. I am not normally one who is overly sensitive to medicines, either.

After my reaction that I didn't initially attribute to the medicine, I did more research on spiro. It is a drug (in a higher dose) that is also used for people who are trying to change genders (grow breasts). My doctor also encouraged me to practice abstinence or be on the pill. When asked why he said the medicine can cause a male fetus to take on female characteristics. I wanted to try to stay on it because the doctor seemed certain it would work for me. But he also said it would take about four weeks to kick in and that is when I got the soreness and incessant itchiness.
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October 30, 2007

Pros:

It is the only drug that ever has worked for me!

Cons:

Was extra tired the first couple mths.

I used to get terrible back acne and chest and cystic acne on my chin and jawline. I am 35. I have been taking 100mg of spiro since Jan 2007. It is a miracle what spiro has done for for my skin. All summer I was in tanks and sundresses! Lovely.
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October 24, 2007
SHOOOT ME! I have been using this now for about 5 months and I am on 100mg a day. It seems to have been working fine until the last few weeks. I now have cysts and pimples all long my mouth and jaw line. I called my derm about a week or so ago and they said that sometimes it happens, but now I am really annoyed because I spend a lot of money on this and I am getting new pimples everyday.
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October 2, 2007

Pros:

cleared up my forehead, no noticeable side effects

Cons:

caused cystic breakouts around my mouth, made periods irregular

My derm prescribed spiro in addition to Duac and Differin. My acne was mostly little bumps all over my jaw and around my mouth, and little bumps on my forehead. After 2 weeks of seeing no change for the better or worse, it was like my face exploded, and all of a sudden I was getting a new cyst every day oround my jaw and chin. After 2 months, my derm took me off of it and put me on minocycline and it's only been a week and I'm already seeing improvement. She said spiro can be a miracle drug for some women and do nothing for others, and that you really can't know unless you try. But it definitely didn't work for me.
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July 1, 2007

Pros:

Realizing that most medications need at LEAST 3 weeks to start working. Also, side effects are starting to subside at week 2 and drug is really cheap.

Cons:

GI side effects (upset stomach, pain), palpitations, dizziness, cystic zits!

I started this after being on Diane 35 for about 7 years. Diane 35 made my skin absolutely beautiful. I couldn't handle the side effects (headaches, chest pains, worsening eye sight, risk of DVT, etc.) anymore so I got off it thinking my "high school" acne would be gone by now. My face broke out again and I have been battling it for almost 2 years now. I have tried everything and when used "consistently" it works (especially benzoyl peroxide) but I hate putting "extra" things on my face and burn like crazy when I got out in the sun. I started with 25mg per day for one week and now use 50mg per day on week 2 which I am going to maintain for at least a month before bumping up the dose again because the side effects were horrible. Upset stomach, palpitations, chest pain, cystic acne on my jawline and cheeks (never had this before), etc. It took Diane 35, 3 months to "fully" kick in so I am giving this a "trial" for 3 months too. I will up my dose from 50 to 75mg in 3 weeks..
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February 6, 2007

Pros:

Inexpensive, side effects not too bad

Cons:

Hasn't helped much yet, but I am on a low dose so far.

I am so hopeful about this stuff...but I have yet to see one tiny sign of improvement. I'm only on 25 mg. Most of the postings I've seen show improvement after 50-100 mg. I'll be patient and see how it goes.
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January 27, 2007
I have only been on spiro (100mg a day) for about 10 days so I am not sure the pro's. My skin has broken out way worse than before I started the med. I read so many good things about this medicine. Did anyone else have this same problem? If so, how long did it take to start working?
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October 17, 2006
I am 30 and have had "bad" skin since I was 15.I have been on the BCP for 15 years now and three moths ago I decide to take a break from them.Well"BAD" misteak.My face has been pimple zone for the last month. All I want to do is stay home and my self esteem has gone down the tubes!I went to see a great derm and he suggested I get a procedue done using levulan(sp)and light therapy.As well he prescribed me Yasmine and Spironolactone 100mg,and clindoxyl gel.For the last month I have been following his orders.Well I have seen no results.My face has these big under the surface pimples.I found this website and started reading to see if anyone has been going through the same.Anyhoo, =)Canada suggested using CLEARASIL ULTRA daily cleaner and CETAPHIL moisturizer.Today I see the results.I have started taking 200 mg of spironolactone every morning and in the evening wash with CLEARASIL, then CETAPHIL(wait for it to dry) and apply clindoxyl. I pray this is going to work.Thank-you =) Canada!!!
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