Spironolactone

Results

Side Effects

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.

[more]

4.2

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars

Grace

February 14, 2013

Pros:

Oil free, no side-effects, acne finally under control, no initial break-out, clear skin, covered under BC's Fair Pharmacare, finally completely clear. Works if you have previously used anti-biotics, and then your anti-biotics no longer work. I also take Tri-Cyclen. For makeup: use Milk of Magnesia (found in Laxative section) as a toner/primer for makeup. It is non-irritating and controls oil, only contains 3 ingredients. I use Make Up Forever HD Liquid Foundation, and NARS blush. 0 breakouts

Cons:

Have to take at least 4-8 pills a day, because each pill is 25mg. In order for it to work though, you need to take a high amount. I had semi-severe acne, with some cysts around jaw-line and on cheeks/closer to hair line, along with little pimples here and there...but they are gone now!
Kinda expensive

Definitely works for hormonal -related acne. I have tried Spiro before @ 25mg-50mg a day, but had initial breakout, less oil and smaller bumps, didn't completely clear my skin so I stopped. Trying again, using between 100mg-200mg a day. I started with 150mg right away, and I have only had maybe 3 very little pimples in the last month since I started. Scaring is almost gone in 3 weeks. Washing face with Clinique and Cetaphil products. Spiro is the best! Skin looks so beautiful now, thank god.

This Was Helpful

11 user(s) found this helpful

Report

February 11, 2013

Pros:

Not too expensive
Its not an antibiotic

Cons:

Just reading all of the reviews I can see that you must remember to stay hydrated....this could be a pro too, since most of us should probably drink more water!!!!

I've been on minocycline for years and doxycycline on and off since high school (I'm 35)...adult cystic acne(seems to inflame monthly). I've been on all of the topicals as well. I took a round of accutane when I was 18. I've suffered with cystic acne for years. It always gets better in the summer, but once fall hits its all over!! Over the years I can see that I don't get as many cysts, and that they are not as severe as when I was in my early twenties, however, I'm 35 and I think I'm just over it!! I'm excited to be on my second day and hoping that I do not get the initial break out, but I guess I'll deal with that if it does happen! I will report back every month and hopefully I see results like everyone else!!! EXCITED!!!

This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Jessica

February 11, 2013

Pros:

Got ride of my acne completely for the year I was on it. I never had such flawless skin. Also, it helped with bloating and water retention because it's a mild diuretic (can make you look slimmer).

Cons:

Makes skin look a bit older because of diuretic effects (I already have dry skin). Might worsen depression or anxiety (although it didn't for me). I had to stop taking it for two reasons but most people would have no issue with this 1. I started reacting to salicylates (spiro always has minty stuff in it for some reason) and because my doctor thought it might partially be to blame for developing focal nodular hyperplasia on my liver.

It was a godsent. Spiro is the only thing that cleared my hormonal cystic acne. Lathering my super sensitive skin with products never did a thing for me, if anything it probably made it worse. I have been off for a little over a year now and 6 months after I was breaking out again, although it's nowhere as bad as it was before I took it (just whiteheads, no cysts). I'm sad I had to stop taking it, because it REALLY worked. If you've tried everything like me, GIVE SPIRO A CHANCE.

This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report

carequeen7

February 3, 2013

Pros:

Clear Skin!!!
Less harsh than Accutane

Cons:

Takes forever to work completely
You have to remember to take the pills EVERY DAY!

I have never written a review before but I want to help other girls who are cursed with acne like me. I have had horrible acne since I was 12. When I was 17, after I had tried every product (name a product, I have tried it) I finally gave in and did Accutane. Accutane works miracles and I was clear for 5 years. I maybe got three zits a year. Then when I turned 25 I decided I was going to get laser hair removal on my face. It wrecked my face. I started breaking out like I did was I was a teenager :( it was the worse decision I have ever made. I decided to take spironolactone before I did Accutane again because Accutane is so bad for you. I am glad I did but just to warn you, it does take a while and it will get worse before it gets better. It took me four months. I also use jojoba oil on my face which is amazing. I recommend that too.

This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Natalie S.6

January 30, 2013

Pros:

Works fairly quickly
Cheap
No side effects

Cons:

You have to remember to take it every single day

I began using this medication about 4 months ago and I am in LOVE with it! After about a month I began to see less and less break-outs. By the end of 2 months, I didn't have any break-outs at all! I didn't have an initial break-out like many users are describing. I am using it along with Tretinoin cream and together these medications work wonders! Now I have to begin working on my unfortunate scarring. If you have hormonal acne, I would definitely recommend this product!

This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Daniel Gonzalez37

January 29, 2013

Pros:

- Completely cleared my hormonal acne. NO more red painful cysts on my chin and jaw that last for 2 weeks at a time.
- Balance in hormones seemed to positively affect more than just my acne (overall mood, for example).

Cons:

- Terrible initial breakout
- Took a solid 4 months to start working consistently
- Had to lower my dosage on my own. Started with 50 mg/day then after 2 months my doctor bumped me to 100 mg/day but it really lowered my blood pressure and made me feel strange so I went back to 50 mg and have loved it! I'm 5'2, 105 lbs so I'm sure that's why I need a low dosage but thought I'd include this info!

The results of this process are SO WORTH the long wait and initial break outs. I haven't had a single cyst in 2 ish months (I've been on the medication for almost 5 months) and when I do get a regular pimple, it's painless and extremely tiny. I have not noticed any side effects, other than the initial breakout, but I am also on a low dosage - which I recommend. If your confidence has been suffering from hormonal acne, TRY THIS ASAP!

This Was Helpful

13 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Chloe B.394

January 23, 2013

Pros:

this works!!!!
I used to have very good metabolism, my scars faded away pretty quickly, I dont know if it's spiro or what, the scars fade relatively slowly now. However, I have no complains!! Even though concealer can't really cover the scars, I am already satisfied with the result! Believe me, having those painful zits for nearly 12 years on my face, the scars are not the reason to complaint!!

Cons:

can cause serious dehydration when you drink
really baaaaad initial breakout for almost 2 months

I am now 22 turning 23. I have acne (painful zits) since I was in 4th,5th grade, through out the years, the places that I had acne changed, I have had acne that were majorly on my forehead, or just on my cheek. As I become older, I had acne almost all over my face. I've tried almost every over-the-counter products and I took two different kinds of BCP before, no luck. I also tried acupuncture, no luck. Donating blood, no luck. The list can go on and on.

This Was Helpful

3 user(s) found this helpful

Report

mandyformonroe

January 22, 2013

Pros:

Cleared my skin about 97%
Awesome self confidence
Only thing that worked for me

Cons:

Took about 11 months for the full effect
Caused a few initial breakouts which lasted about 3-4 months. & yes, they were cystic

Basically, it works if you have hormonal acne, PCOS, insulin resistance, even slightly elevated testosterone. You just need to be extremely patient. I almost gave up. No joke. I could hardly handle the initial breakouts. I ended up on 200 mg a day, 100mg in the morning and 100mg at night. I know this sounds really high and even other derms I have see say it is too much. Yes, I got that. However, it is the perfect dosage for me (5'10, 130lbs). Drink tons of water! Don't give up!!!!

This Was Helpful

10 user(s) found this helpful

Report

glowqueen21

January 10, 2013

Pros:

Perfect skin

Cons:

Birth defects

Literally miracle drug for anyone suffering from hormonal acne. I have tried everything from topical to oral and nothing cleared my skin until this medicine. I'm obsessed with it and worried what to do if I plan to have children bc it can cause birth defects.

This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Violet11

January 9, 2013

Pros:

Helps decrease oil production by huge measures.
Decreases bloating and water retention.
Really helps clear skin in those who have hormonal acne.
Inexpensive if you have insurance
Not many severe side effects like drying or long initial breakouts or depression.

Cons:

dizziness &dehydration. Not good if your pregnant or wanting to get pregnant in near future. Causes testosterone lvls to decrease increasing chances of pregnancy but messes w babies hormone development if taken while pregnant. Use trust worthy method of bc while taking
Expensive if you don't have insurance.
Shouldn't take high doses long term
Decrease in acne and oil production will disappear almost immediately after you stop taking it.
Messes w ur cycle& can be bad if stop taking it sudden

Mild acne since my teens. Now 27 moderate-severe after everything Iv taken &applied to my skin. Spiro in combo with retin a &benzaclin made my skin amazingly clear. my skin broke out immediately after i went off. lost job/insurance bc of downsizing. Pharmacy charged $100/mo for this rx. paid $30 w insurance. couldn't afford that plus $180 for retin a $130 for benzaclin a month. Would recommend this to anyone w hormonal acne. See cons for side effects to consider

This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report

1 … 13 14 15 16 17 … 62

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Prescription acne medications

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Finding a Doctor

Finding a Doctor

Be sure to:

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

Red flags:

New Report

Close