My derm put me on Spiro to get rid of the cysts on my chin after switching from birth control pills to an IUD. I hated it. It worked, after two months I had no cysts, but I was SO dehydrated. I could not keep enough water in me. Felt like I had to pee all the time, was constantly worried I had a UTI, etc. Went to my primary care physician twice because I was convinced I had a UTI, and both times it came out negative. I stopped taking it after 2 months and thankfully, the cysts were completely gone after that.

I have been on spironolactone for 2 months now. I'm 19. My face was completely clear until last summer. I started breaking out with cystic acne all over my chin, forehead, jawline, and cheeks. It was horrible and I tried everything natural and Otc to get rid of it. Nothing worked. I was so afraid to go to the dermatologist because everyone said it doesn't work. I finally decided I had to go because it was my last hope. I went in and my doctor said it was hormonal and new exactly what to put me on. He gave me spironolactone and started me off on two 25 mg pills a day. 50 mg total. Within 2 weeks I started seeing improvement. After about a month my face looked so much better. Everyone was commenting about how my face was clearing up. I went back and he now upped my dosage to 100 mg a day. Two 50 mg pills a day. My face looks 100% better! I felt bad about myself when my face broke out of no where with like 10 pimples on my chin. I now am lucky if I get 1. I even took before and after pic. Amazing what this did for me. I also have the most sensitive skin ever. My face is continuing to clear the more I'm on it. The only thing that bothers me is sometimes I get headaches and I get dizzy. It comes and goes. It also is making my time of the month fluctuate. Last month I had 2 in one month and now this month I havent had it yet. I'm going to ask him about that when I see him next week. That kind of concerns me. Even though I have side effects it's worth putting up with them to keep my face clear. I highly recommend this product to anyone! It's a miracle! My scars are fading every month.

I cannot really give a full review, since I've only been on it for barely a week..but these reviews keep me hopeful. I'm a 25 year old female, and while I've always struggled with mild to moderate acne, my face recently broke out in the worst hormonal acne I have ever had. It started off as a few cysts on my chin, then went to my right side of my face, and then to my left. It was horrible. I'm still breaking out, but I feel like my skin may be starting to calm down. I was also out on a birth control for acne, called Estrostep. I've read a lot of mixed reviews for it, but I'm hoping it helps when paired with the spiro. Wish me luck!

Updated review: I've been using Spiro for about 3 years now with significant success. I had severe cycstic acne after taking myself off of benzyl peroxide and salacylic acid products after using them for years (Don't do them. Your skin gets highly addicted and they cause premature aging). My dermatologist initially put me on 50mg/day and increased it to 75mg/day after one month. I started noticing results after a month of being on it. I didn't notice any initial breakout but my face was in rough shape when starting. By month 3, I was significantly improved and after a year of being on it, I was transformed. It's worth the wait. I was also on a tretinoin (Retin-A) cream at night. I had to increase to 100mg/day for a breakout for about 4 months but I've now been slowly weaning off the medication for about 6-7 months by a rate of 25mg every 2 months. My body takes about a month to adjust to the dosage decrease. I would get a minor breakout but it would even out after about the month mark. My dermatologist also switched me to a clindamycin cream in the morning and a potassium azelaoyl cream at night. I'm weaning off it it due to starting a family and I thought I'd have much more trouble. So far, with such a slow decrease of the medicine my body has responded really well. My dermatologist did the face cream switch about a month before stopping Spiro as to not shock my system too much too. So far so good. I've found this drug to be a miracle for severe/cystic acne. In my experience, it is way better than any birth control pill I've ever been on, which seem to just mess with your hormones quite a bit. I know which medicine I'll be using if I ever have acne in the future. After being on everything as a teen and trying to manage it with over the counter products all through my 20's, this has been a real life saver. Also, diet helps significantly. Limit dairy, processed carbs, sugar and caffeine...which make acne much worse. Try to stick to more lean protein and veggies. A great book to read about that is Clear Skin Forever online. I hope this helps. I've been battling acne my whole life. I'm so grateful for Spiro and knowing that diet plays a huge part of it too. I hope this helps! Older Review: I'm a 33 old female and have managed acne and cystic acne my whole life from age 12. I was managing it well by using a combination salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide products for many years in my 20's. Neutrogena Grapefruit wash, Clean and Clear ointment and Clearasil were my usual products. I'd get an occasional cyst or small amount of acne from time to time, but I started noticing my skin was visibly aging more than my identical twin sister, who didn't use these products. Her skin was completely clear. I did some research and read an online book called Clear Skin Forever, about the harmful effects of benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid products for your skin long term. I took myself off of the ointments and face wash and immediately started breaking out. For several months my skin got far worse (with really bad cystic acne) until I finally took myself to a UCLA dermatologist who put me on Spironolactone and a trentinoin cream (along with a sulfur wash in the morning). She also said how harmful salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are and recommended Cera-Ve fashwash and lotion. It took a month to start really seeing results, but I've been on it for a year and my skin is 100% clear. My scars are still fading and I get an occasional pimple from time to time, but it's no where near the level it was before starting it. Every month you will notice it getting better and better. Have patience with it and it will pay off. I took pictures of my face every month to track the progress. From my starting point to where I am now, I have completely transformed. Cystic acne is hormonal, not bacterial, and can't be treated with skin ointments. Spiro helps block the over production of testosterone in the body and it's a miracle drug for people with hormonal acne. I've been on every medication imaginable. Including two rounds of Accutane as a teen. It has always come back. Do yourself a favor and see a dermatologist immediately who's willing to put you on this medication. It's not yet FDA approved to treat acne (it's a blood pressure medicine), so some dermatologists won't prescribe it, but it really works. More research is being done to prove it. Also, avoid getting your skin addicted to salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide products. It's very difficult to ween yourself off of them and they do more harm than good in the long run. I use Cera-Ve face wash and a sulfer facewash in the morning with Cera-Ve lotion. At night, I use Cera-Ve wash and occasionally use an apricot scrub (without salicylic acid) to exfoliate. I have huge pores so this helps. Always use the Cera-Ve lotion after washing. Your skin tends to get dry on this medication but it's a small side effect to the benefits it brings. I gave this medicine a year before I gave a review, and I can honestly say it's changed my life. My dermatologist started me at 50mg a day and increased it to 75mg after 3 months. I'm still on the 75mg/day dose, which works for me.

I was put on spironolactone when I was 18, but my acne was not hormonal then like it is now so it wasn't effective. I am 22 and have been battling acne throughout college. Its been a nightmare having to deal with something I thought you only had to deal with in high school. My acne has changed throughout this time, at first it was everywhere, but now it is hormonal, limited to my jaw line and chin. I also speculate that I have PCOS since I have never had a regular period, have abnormal hair growth, acne (obviously), among other symptoms. I started taking spiro about a month and a half ago. At first I did experience side effects at 100mg/day; irregular heart beat, muscle weakness, fatigue, diarrhea, dehydration, but after week two things calmed down and now I don't have any side effects at all unless I don't drink enough water. I also did lose about 8 lbs (which is awesome!) I assume it was just water weight. At about week two I had the rumored "initial break-out." It was not horrible, but much worse than my acne was before, almost cystic-like and very tender and painful. This lasted about two weeks and then suddenly it stopped and now my skin is clearing up! Apart from the spots leftover from my last break-out (hopefully the last one forever apart from the occasional blemish which I can deal with) my pores look very small, my skin is glowing, hair on my face and body doesn't grow as fast, the weight loss was a surprise (no I haven't gained it back like some other people), and my skin feels soft. I must recommend that to make this medicine work optimally that you eat healthy, cut out all dairy, salty/sugary foods, and caffeine, exercise, keep your hands off your face, RELAX (reduce stress), and drink LOTS and LOTS of water! My routine is very basic; Cetaphil cleanser, CeraVe AM/PM, occasionally I will use Neutrogena benzoyl peroxide topical, Make-Up - IT Cosmetics Illumination Powder. I will update once more time has gone by. All in all I highly recommend for people with hormonal acne! Specifically if you have elevated testosterone levels or have PCOS.

This has been my savior. I started breaking out as a teenager and struggled up until age 30 with persistent break outs. In college, I probably should have been on accutane. I have tried everything under the sun; every regimen and product. Some would work for the short term but then the acne would just pop up again. I went to numerous dermatologists who always prescribed a lousy drying product with a bogus antibiotic. It was an endless cycle. After turning 30, I couldn't handle having acne anymore. I researched a TON online and speculated that I could have PCOS....(when I was 18, I stopped getting a period for 8 months. I was told it was because I had low body weight and was a Division 1 athlete, I was put on the birth control pill....which helped a bit). The BCP basically masked the fact that I had PCOS. So... fast forward to age 30, I tell my OBGYN what I'm thinking and sure enough, I have PCOS! I have been taking spiro for a year and half now and I haven't had any break outs. Maybe the beginnings of one tiny pimple but then it magically disappears. My skin is smooth, glowing and I don't even wear make up, just a little bronzer...people ask me what I use and tell me I have amazing skin-it's extraordinary. I always say thank you and am flattered but little do they know the pain and torture I went through for years. For me, the spiro kicked in right away....I would say withthin two weeks my skin was flawless. It was truly miraculous. My only hope is that this medication is safe long term because I won't be going off....

truly the only thing that has helped the cysts that would not quit appearing on my chin. It's a wonder drug for me, with no side effects whatsoever.

THIS IS A MIRACLE. Ive tried everything from proactiv to clindamycin gel, nothing worked. I would say that my acne is moderate. I was put on a topic cream that broke my face out horribly. I refused to leave the house. I set up an appt with my derm and she started me on 25mg of spironolactone. In one week I saw results, I'm now about 3 weeks into taking spiro and i haven't seen my skin this clear in A WHILE! I just ended my menstrual cycle so i did break out a bit from that.. but Im so happy with the results. I now feel confident again. I finally found my miracle drug. I can't wait to see the results in the next few weeks!!!!

When should I expect the initial breakout? (anyone not get this?) I'm on 100mg spiro and adapalene, day 7. My face already has greatly improved - I assume from the topical. Like 80% clearer on the jaw and cheeks. But I wait... and dread... this initial breakout everyone talks about. Is it too bad to leave the house? I'd love to hear from some 'survivors'! thanks for sharing everyone.

I have been taking 200 mgs daily of Spironolactone since December 2014. In the initial start of the treatment, which for me was at 100 mgs daily, I noticed a big improvement in the oiliness of my face and quantity of breakouts. That paired with Epiduo first then just the Adapalene quotient later, I am literally clear of all acne and blackheads & whiteheads. In figuring out exactly what the magic number was for me regarding how much Spiro to take, the 1st month-100mgs daily, the 2nd month-150 mgs daily, 3rd month-200 mgs daily. Because I have issues with PCOS and Endometriosis my dermatologist, who normally winces and the higher doses, has been gracious enough to allow me to take this much but not without the required testing-monthly, dietary restrictions to reduce potassium levels and increased water intake. I do not mind at all if I have to change what I eat, drink more water and give blood all the time, I will happily, to maintain my acne free skin. A month between doses was merely to appease my derm because I saw results within a two week time span, like another reviewer stated. I use CeraVe AM & PM moisturizing formulas and rotate the foaming and moisturizing wash daily with nighttime Adapalene application. I feel like maybe 50 mgs more just might take me over the top but... Its hard to find a derm who will agree to that much...maybe I'll ask my gyno since he does know my history. Either way, I am extremely happy with this med and encourage others to try the higher doses if what they are currently taking is not working, if at all possible, but do be aware that it will require a lifestyle change. This is not something you apply to your face with abandon, its a very potent medication with its own very dangerous side effects. Also, do your own research with regards to the absolute maximum amount to be taken for HORMONAL acne, I think its near the 400mg mark, its also used for Hirsutism, edema, etc, etc and since MOST derms will not give you more than 100 mgs daily, do search for one that will AT LEAST LET YOU TRY THE HIGHER DOSES before saying no. I could not believe the trouble I had in finding someone who would at least give my body the chance to see if it worked for me, before flat out denying it. While it is a serious med, it is not Accutane, it is not a long term antibiotic or anything else that might be worse for my body and while I understand the benefits, I also understand the dangers, and was willing to undertake the changes I had to make in order to continue taking it at this dosage. Not many are willing or are capable, which is why I think there is some resistance and why it caps off at 100 mgs for most people. I did my own research on the drug and feel it is relatively safe compared to some other more harmful drugs that are being prescribed. That is my own opinion. Yes, I was prescribed the Solodyn, I was given the Aczone, I did get a lot of very harmful products to take for my HORMONAL acne but refused them all because of the research I found on them. I refused to take a lot of things and have not found a solution until now. In fact, it is the only thing I take for my acne now, aside from the Adapalene and my face, my skin, is beautiful. More so now than in my 20s. Bio: female, 38, 133lbs-down from 145 @ start of Spiro, Cystic acne since age 12, PCOS/Endometriosis diagnosed in 2013. My acne has been completely hormonal and due to my condition. No other issues exist.