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
February 11, 2016
Finally something that worked!
After 14 years of struggling with acne and trying everything under the sun, I am happy to say that my acne is almost completely gone with the help of spironolactone. I am kicking myself for not visiting a dermatologist sooner. I have been taking this medication for three months now. When I first began taking the medication I was prescribed 50 mg a day, in addition I was prescribed a benzoyl peroxide face wash for the morning and a Aczone topical, and in the evening wash with a gentle facial cleanser (I chose Cetaphil) and Ziana at night. Prior to this regimen, it was not uncommon for me to wake up with a minimum of 3-5 new pimples, many of them deep and painful. Within 2 weeks there was a significant change with the amount, frequency and type of pimples I would have. I would wake up with a pimple or two sometimes. During that first month I think I only had six pimples maximum. And they weren't mostly cystic, it was primarily little whiteheads, one cyst during my menstrual cycle. After the first month my dermatologist kept my regimen almost the same, only increasing my dosage of Spironolactone so I can hopefully clear up completely, I take 50 mg twice a day. Luckily I have not yet experienced any side effects during the course of using this medication and breakouts are incredibly rare, only a cyst or two around my period. I am so thankful that I took my dermatologist's recommendation! This has greatly improved my confidence and drastically reduced the time it takes for me to get ready in the morning. I don't have to spend an hour just trying to cover up acne anymore, it takes me fifteen to twenty minutes to put on a full face of makeup and run out the door and I don't feel like I have to hide anymore.
April 27, 2012
Cons:
-VERY thirsty when first began medication
-frequent bathroom visits
-should avoid foods with potassium
-blood tests
-possibly carcinogenic?
I have been on Spiro for about 6 weeks now and I noticed an improvement within 2 weeks of use. I was really scared about getting an initial breakout because a lot of people said it happened to them, but thankfully I didn't experience that! Since being on Spiro I've had maybe 3 pimples total appear and they're usually gone in 2 days.. a BIG improvement because I used to constantly have 4 or more pimples on my face at a time that took weeks to go away.
I'm excited because I can finally concentrate on getting rid of the scars left from acne past without worrying about any new breakouts to destroy the work I'm doing. LOVE this :)
February 23, 2012
Pros:
Started working almost immediately I mean literally within 5 days of taking it!
Cons:
Your urine becomes dark yellow and you have to watch your potassium levels.
I had extremely bad acne all along my jaw line and neck area. The cysts on my neck were large swollen and hot to the touch very sore. I was very depressed my neck was unsightly to the point of me not going out of the house. My dermatologist recommended this for me after many failed attempts. I did not get my hopes up and actually did not expect it to work. I was amazed that literally within 5 days a once sore tender cyst acne filled neck and chin where clearing up I had red spots but not full cysts at the end of two weeks my neck and chin were totally clear I can not belive it. Very Very Happy
January 27, 2012
Pros:
I havent been on this site in awhile due to the fact that spironolactone has cleared my face up dramatically. I went from sever cystic acne and overly oily skin to completely clear and dry skin. I am taking this medicine combined with Ortho Tricyclen-lo. I hardly ever right reviews, but this medicine was my miracle. Ive been on Accutane, which didnt help me at all, and i would hide in the house whenever i could because of my skin. It was horrible. I have my life back thanks to this.
Cons:
Sensitivity to sun,but nothing better than having clear skin, so happy!!!
Ladies who have tried everything under the sun.Please give this medication a go.
September 10, 2011
Pros:
This product has cleared my acne in conjunction with 2 topicals... need I say more.
Cons:
Pee more frequently
Potassium checks every 3-5 months
This product worked wonders for my hormonal acne (chin and jaw line). The doctor knew the minute he saw my face I had adult hormonal acne. I originally took 50mg then was increased to 100mg, which is why they had to begin testing my potassium. It took 3-4 months and slowly but surely worked. I did use it in conjunction with Ziana at night and Clyndamycin during the day. I was also given two chemical peels in the beginning, which my insurance covered (yours might too!). This type of treatment will only work for specific types of acne but I had to share my results for those of you that have hormonal acne. I strongly encourage you to try it! Be patient and take it EXACTLY as recommended. That is the key to any treatment.
June 5, 2011
Pros:
works quickly
Cons:
i didn't experience any negative side effects
I was so skeptical of this because I have literally tried everything to clear up my cystic, painful acne. Accutane twice, a variety of strong antibiotics, all the acne fighting products out there. I've battled acne since I was 11. After I have my 3rd son 5 years ago, my acne became worse than it's ever been. I couldn't really do much because I was nursing. Then I had another baby, so I was nursing still. I finally took the advice of a friend and saw my midwife, and she suggested this. Within 4 days, my skin cleared up. I couldn't believe it. She started my on 25mg per day, but after a bad breakout during my first cycle, she bumped me to 50mg. I've been at that does for 4 months now and the only time I get a pimple is when I forget to wash my face. But even then, it's a tiny whitehead and is gone the next day. Not even any breakouts during my period aside from that first month.
I couldn't be happier about this! I've seen some other reviews that say they also started birth control with this, so I thought I'd throw out there that I don't use birth control.
May 12, 2011
Pros:
It works!! Everybody is different but if you have hormonal acne I definately think you should give spiro a try. No more cysts, it helps control oil, and when and if you do get a a breakout it goes away quickly.
Cons:
You have to drink more water to stay hydrated. Which causes you to have to go to the bathroom more. It also can give you dry skin so you want to make sure you moisterize.
Spiro is an anti androgen so if your acne is hormonal this could possibly work for you. I love it!! The pros outweighed the cons for me. I go weeks without getting a breakout, I feel pretty again, I got my confindence back. It is amazing!! I have been on spiro and yaz combination for 5 months. I use dove soap to wash my face and a soy moisterizer and if I get anything I use sulfer as a spot treatment. I didn't see a dramatic improvement right away. It did take a few months but the results are worth waiting for.
April 27, 2011
Pros:
- CLEARS SKIN
Cons:
- possible side effects (I didn't experience any)
- the first week you start taking it you have to pee every 5 minutes.. (but that makes you lose water weight so it could be a pro...)
I'm 20 years old and I have been struggling with acne for about 10 years. Up until a few months ago (when I began taking spironolactone), I would have to wear about a pound of foundation and cover up just to be able to go out in public without being humiliated. I had tried literally every face wash over the counter, antibiotics, differin, epiduo, but nothing would work for me at all. Then I went on this website and saw the high reviews for spironolactone, so I asked my derm to start me on it. I started taking 50mg a day and did experience an initial break out about 2 days into it, but they disappeared shortly after. Then after about two months moved up to 75mg a day, which is where I am right now. The day I started taking this medicine I counted 30 zits and 1 cyst on my face. Today I have beautiful smooth skin and no pimples or even blackheads. Oh yeah and I began taking birth control (Ortho tri cyclen) at the same time that I started the Spironolactone. I definitely recommend for any female to try this. Don't give up, your acne will be clear one day:)
October 12, 2010
Pros:
started to clear in 1.5 months, 3 months completely cleared and has been since (11 months now)
only 1 pill/day
minimal side effects
helps to de-bloat
Cons:
Increase in urination the first few months
Been told acne may return once off the medication
It works, but you have to be patient initially. I had no side effects, and with insurance its only 10 bucks/month
March 4, 2010
Pros:
Very cheap, easy to use, no side effects for me.
Cons:
Didn't clear my acne even though i took it with Dianette and used Differin.
I was very hopeful as this has worked for so many of you. But after using Spironolactone, Dianette and Differin for 3 years my acne has not improved. Back to Accutane (again).
If, like me, you don't get side effects from Spiro you might as well stick with it and see what happens. I hope you have better luck!
Pros:
-skin is clear
- 1 or 2 pimples only around time of month
-noticed less body hair
-less bloated
-skin less oily