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
May 26, 2011
Cons:
Dizziness - Be very careful to eat enough salt and drink enough water when taking this medication. It's VITAL.
Recently, after stupidly thinking I could smoothly transition from Diane 35 (HBC) to Yasmin, I broke out with about 5 cysts - when I get cysts my skin becomes intensely fragile, so a scratch to an itchy face resulted in skin being torn and scabs. It wasn't my sexiest moment. I had taken spironolactone a couple of years ago with great success, and tapered off of it after plateauing - from there I used the Diane 35 as a milder alternative. Well, seeing as how I had a bottle left over, I reached for it and decided I would take some to try to get the oil and cysts under control. A lot of people report seeing a difference in a matter of 2-8 weeks, so I suppose I am not a typical result. Please do keep that in mind, and don't be discouraged if you don't see an improvement the second you start taking this, just hold out and reap the benefits. That being said, the first time I was prescribed Spiro it did take a few weeks to see real results, however I guess my system is functioning more efficiently now, with the addition of 14 servings fruit and veg every day, and basically just taking really great care of myself. I saw results within 2 days. I saw even better results 5 days after the fact. My hair isn't nearly as oily, my skin is still oily, but now I feel like it's at a normal level, and overall my complexion is much much better. Try it out, wait for the results you want, and feel good about yourself!
April 6, 2011
Pros:
Reduces acne and body hair by a great deal.
Cons:
Mild side effecs in the first moths.
Long term side effect: my period stopped completely.
I have been taking this for about two years and it has helped my acne by about 80/90% and reduces my body hair also graitly. Now I'm afraid to stop it, but am also very worried about the fact that I don't get any periods any more (at least, not without the Yasmin bc). This seems all very onlogical to me. Maybe it's because my hormones were normal before and now my body doesn't produce enough testorone too make enough estrogen. I don't know.. IF ANYONE HAS AN IDEA, PLEASE REPORT THIS! I will be reading it gladly! Good luck!
July 28, 2010
Pros:
- gets ride of acne
Cons:
- the side affects were something I had to deal with tremendously.
- fatigue
- extreme tiredness
- racy heart beat
Spironolactone helped me so much in reducing my acne. I never had severe acne problems during my adolescence days, but this year (3rd year in college) I started breaking out like I have never seen in my life. Spiro did not make my acne disappear overnight. It took me a span of two to three weeks for me to notice how my face was no longer flooded with new pimples, while the old ones were going down. Yes, spiro helped me so much in calming down my acne and I am so thankful for that. However, the side affects were... in other words, extremely difficult to deal with. The side affects of fatigue and tiredness hit me so hard since DAY ONE and hasn't changed since (and I've been only taking 25-50mg). The fatigue feeling is almost to the point of anxiety. I recently stopped taking spiro (after 1 1/2 months) last week because I felt that I was going to faint.
Spiro sometimes (and by sometimes I mean most of the time) makes my heart beat so fast to the point that it makes my whole body jittery. Even when I got a good nights sleep, i would take 2-3 hour naps (and even so, it makes me feel that I just pulled an all nighter). The other day when I took spiro, I ended up taking a nap on the living room floor because I was THAT TIRED to even go upstairs into my bedroom. just sayin' The only reason why I sucked it up was because spiro DID help my acne. However, let me emphasize how difficult it was to even maintain my daily tasks (going to class, focusing, trying not to fall asleep, or trying to sleep with my heart beating so fast- not fun) So if you try Spiro and the side effects are nothing how I described, I'm so happy for you. But if you're like me, beware. Here are some before & after pictures. You can see how different my skin looks (despite the different lighting in each pics). Now it's only the acne scars that are left. BEFORE
[link removed]
December 21, 2009
Pros:
less oily skin and hair, weight loss of 10lbs, acne has improved
Cons:
need to be consistent with taking dose at certain times to keep a steady amount of the med in your system, may lower BP although it didnt lower mine, and may urinate more often but I didn't notice that either
Definite improvement. I started out at 25mg and worked up to 200mg a day, I've only been taking the 200 mg a day for little over a month now but I've noticed a significant change in my skin. I don't breakout constantly anymore.. clear skin days actually happen even if I fail to wash my face at night every now and then. The pimples I do get now are much smaller and seem to heal at a quicker rate also. I'm not completely clear all the time, but I'm hoping I will reach that eventually. I am going to continue to use spiro with hopes of consistently clear skin around 6 months or so of use. Even if things stay the same though, my acne is much more under control now than it ever was before.
March 25, 2013
Pros:
IT WORKS (at the right dosage);
Easy to use - no monthly doctor visits, tests, etc. (vs Accutane);
Only benefits - no burdens;
No side effects;
Worked quickly;
JUST ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!
Cons:
NONE!
IT'S WORTH IT!!! I'm a 33yr old professional female. I've battled some level of acne since I was 12yrs old. On the pill (I believe) it would be contained, but I gained SO MUCH WEIGHT. I didn't realize it until I went off the pill and lost SO MUCH WEIGHT. To combat the breakouts I have done EVERYTHING!!! Benzaclin, Tretracyclin, Retina A, Neutrogena, Mary Kay, Clinique, ProActive (regular and extra strength), Oxy, Clarisonic products and the Mia, chemical peels (glycolic & salycylic), facials (at local spas as well as the Four Season), and Accutane 3 times. Some worked for a time - I have to say I'm a fan of Accutane, it always worked within 3 months, but acne always returned after about two yrs. However, my skin always looked so fabulous for that 2 yrs - but it always came back. I finally read about Spiro. (Last time (2.5 yrs ago) I went on Accut. my derm suggested this, but I was so set on Accutane (b/c I knew it worked) I didn't listen.) Once the acne came back I decided to look into it. I was really nervous about the "initial breakout" - I don't think it happened. I started at 50g 1x day. After 1.5 mos jumped to 100g 1x day - within ONE WEEK the resulft I've been seeking. Initially I noticed the "healing time" was shortened (on just the 50g), but the breakouts still came. Now, no breakouts. The hyperpigmentation seems to be lightening rapidly too. This stuff is great! I do have hormonal acne and my derm explained, if you breakout where a man would most likely wear a beard, spiro is for you.
October 5, 2011
Pros:
cleared and prevents hormonal acne cysts (especially on chin)
Minimal side effects
Decreases hormone-related facial hair
Cons:
took 4 months to work
continued to have large-ish cysts until the 4th month mark (including initial break out)
I joined acne.org just to review this medication. For the first time in years (approx 10), my skin is nearly clear. I never had extraordinarily severe acne, but bad enough to be notable, painful, and distressing. Went through previous rounds of antibiotics (minocycline, deoxycycline), which helped but never completely cured the cysts. I have been on spiro for 4 months, and despite getting frustrated with the initial breakouts, I am now very happy that I stuck it out (this message board helped a lot!). Now that I don't have new cysts forming as soon as the old ones clear, my skin is healing, and the acne scars are starting to fade. I also wash in the morning with benzyl peroxide and apply Aczone + 50 mg spiro, then wash with cetaphil and apply differin + 50 mg spiro at night. Definitely worked for my hormonal acne - just required a bit of patience!
April 28, 2011
Pros:
-It works or at least helps your acne.
Week 1- 25
Week 2- 50
Week3- 75
If you need more then go to 100 after 4-8 weeks.
-Add 25mg week before period.
-Ask you doctor for at least 50mg and custom cut your pills.
I wanted to add. That if you don't have any medical problems with it, but it is still not working well then may I suggest watching your habits. -change pillowcases once a week
-wash face 2x a day and after cooking
-clean glasses
-don't touch your face, especially when eating oily foods or cooking
-wash hands/nails before touching face to apply make-up
-keep hair oil free, especially at night I know! Lots of work! Just trying to increase your chances with this wonderful medicine.
April 15, 2011
Pros:
*Reduces Acne
*No Inital Break Out
*Restore Confidence
*Reduces Oil Production
*NO Sides Effects (Yet)
Cons:
Hasn't cleared ance up 100%...yet!
So my doc procrisbed this to me for my hormonal acne, and I was super nervous because I hate taking medicine. I was having a HORRIBLE breakout, and this, along with tretinion seemed to help alot! It has only been three weeks and my acne has majorly subsided. Also, it reduces my oil production. Before I used to be an oily mess by the end of the day, now it is still a little oily but much much better! And the reason I said light is because this has reduced mine from moderate acne to light:) I hope it keeps working!
ps- I have noticied nooo side effects..I dont have to pee anymore than before..there is no difference in me except my acne and confiedence :)
November 11, 2010
Pros:
Reduces oil, acne, and facial hair
Cons:
makes me a bit dizzy, heart rate a bit funky and I am scared that it may cause cancer. Also if you stop taking it the hair grows right back.
I'm 32 and I have acne and facial hair. The acne is under control (I also just got off accutane). It definitely works on facial hair. Lightens and diminishes it. I definitely recommend this. Although it may cause cancer and shorten my life in the long run atleast I can face the world now. What is life worth living if you have to hide all the time? This medication is a definite must if you have acne and facial hair.
June 12, 2010
Pros:
less oily skin and hair
pimples that would have been cysts become moderate pimples
weight loss
mood regulation
Cons:
has not prevented acne only decreased severity
dizziness
increases heartrate
nauscia
fatigue
i like spiro...it has definately helped regulate my breakouts, made them more managable.i used to have large painful cysts all over my cheeks and jawlines...i still get those breakouts but the pimples that would have been painful cysts become pimples that i can eventually pop and go away quicker. i was expecting a miracle and i did not get one...i still, have acne and i still have to deal with unexpected breakouts, painful zits and low self-confidence. its helped but not enough...i start accutane in 10 days!
Pros:
Minty taste
Oil production VASTLY reduced
Self-esteem
Flat-unbloated tummy
Redness decreased in new scars
Cysts cleared within 1 week
Complexion over-all wonderful
For $0, the price is right. TGI Canadian Health care.