Hormonal acne for last 3 years.. Tried it all. Doc suggest spiro end of Feb 2015. I started at 100 for 4 months (end of June) and saw some difference, then upped to 150 and by the 7/8th month (August/sept) there was a huge difference. Zero acne. Zero! No deep cysts that were painful or needed to be drained, no more thick cover up, no more puss. I decreased to 125mg in October and skin has been clear the whole time. Be patient and don't be scared of higher dosages. I'm 5'1, 105lbs. This is the only thing that has completely cleared my acne. I'll take peeing more and monitoring my potassium levels over accutane any day. In my opinion, people give up way way too soon. You've struggled with acne for how many months or years? What's a few more? Be patient. It works.

Giving this drug 4 stars because I haven't been on it for 3 full months to see complete results yet. My story is similar to many others; I'm 27 and have had serious acne for about 13 years now. I've been through every medical treatment I possibly can, including two rounds of Accutane. Accutane worked for me while I was still on it, but once I came off, my acne was back to where it was. About two years ago, I was prescribed Spiro for the first time. I took it for about 6 months with great results, but had to stop because I began getting severe headaches and migraines. Because the only drug I was on was Spiro, I assumed my migraines were related to the dehydration caused by the drug. For the last year and a half I've been under the treatment of a neurologist for hormonal migraines. A few months ago it clicked- my acne must be hormone related too! Fast forward to today. I've been on Spiro for about two months now, also taking doxy and using Retin-A at night and Aczone gel during the day. After a month, my skin dramatically went downhill. My derm said this was the Retin-A purge. I had about 10 cysts around my mouth/chin and about 10 cysts on my forehead for two weeks before I finally went to the derm and told her I couldn't take it anymore. She injected them with cortisone and they went away in about 3 days. Today, my skin looks AMAZING. I have only one cyst on my cheek and a TON of milia on both sides of my chin. This is a HUGE improvement from where I was 2 months ago, 6 months ago, 1 year ago, 2 years ago. Today my skin looks the best it has in about 5 years. I think the combo of Spiro and Retin-A is what is working for me. I've noseyed around the acne.org message boards for nearly 8 years now searching for hope. I want you girls with hormonal cystic acne like me to know that IT WILL GET BETTER. Don't settle for expensive OTC methods and sub-par skin. Please, please, please give Spiro a shot, and if your derm thinks you can also use Retin-A- even better!!

I've suffered from adult hormonal cystic acne for the last 7 years, ever since my senior year of college. I've tried absolutely everything: all kinds of topicals, supplements, birth control... nothing worked. For a couple of years, the Acne.org regimen kept me somewhat in check, but I still got big, painful, itchy zits. At one point when I went off the regimen, my face broke out so badly that I went back on the regimen and completely overdid it, far beyond Dan's recommendations. Well, I ended up with an actual chemical burn on my face that caused EXCRUCIATING pain for 3 months. Yes, you heard me. 3 months. And then, the acne started coming back, and I couldn't cover it with makeup. I was mortified. I didn't want to live anymore. I ended up on disability from work due to severe anxiety and depression due to an acne dysmorphia that caused massive breakdowns throughout the day. I couldn't focus on anything. I felt so lost and hopeless, like no doctor would ever help me figure it out, and the pain on top of it was unbearable. I tried to kill myself, it was so bad. Now, in June before the chemical burn happened, a new doctor had started me on 50mg of Spironolactone. I'd been on it for only 2-3 months at the onset of this disaster, so I knew it wasn't likely to be working just yet. I was in agony, constantly praying it would start to work. After around month 3, I asked my doctor to up me to 100, which had about the same results. Finally, in month 7, she agreed to up me to 150mg. Within weeks, I had stopped producing new pimples. I had finally found my magic number. I watched as my face began to clear, and my scars continued to lighten with it. At the same time, my chemical burn had stopped hurting and was starting to show slight improvements. I had already started to get better about my acne dysphoria, but finally seeing the itchy, painful, unsightly problem go away took so much stress and worry off of my mind. I do still get small pimples here and there--even some that are fairly deep, but there are days where I will miss taking my spiro, as well as times I pick at things I shouldn't, so I completely blame those on myself. I do still have some healing to do from the chemical burn as well as some indented scars and hyperpigmentation that has been present for over a year since the initial big breakout, but I've been working on them with a dermaroller and vitamin C serum. Not sure if the roller really does much, but the serum definitely has improved things for me. I highly recommend it as part of anyone's nightly routine. Anyway, it is so much better than it was, if I think about it too much I could cry at the relief. I can scratch my chin mindlessly if it itches, now. I can snuggle up to someone without worrying that their dirt will give me a zit (which didn't turn out to be true, anyway). I can run to the store for something I forgot without feeling like I have to endure a 20-minute makeup routine just to feel okay enough to go. I ABSOLUTELY recommend trying spiro if your acne appears to be hormonal (around the chin and mouth, possibly deep and cystic feeling, painful, spiking at a certain point in your cycle, etc.), and if you're not planning on getting pregnant (it's not good for the baby/pregnancy, as it directly affects the expression of hormones. I was fine with this, as I'm in a lesbian relationship and have no intentions of ever carrying a child via artificial means). It took me about 5 months to find the right dosage with my doctor and see the real results, and trust me, it was HORRIBLE having to wait. But it was so, so worth it. Please try it, please stick to it. It saved my life.

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.

I suffer with pcos ive had acne for over five years now and tried numerous antibiotics,creams,health products that claim to work be nothing every did.It took over my life upset every day hated looking in the mirror .I came to this site and read all the great reviews, decided to ask the docter she didnt give it me at first wanted me to try 3 months of yasmin (contraceptive pill) it didnt work so was prescribe 100mg of spriolactone once a day as well as yasmin......please be patient it took 7 months to be clear and i still can get a odd spot...they were days when i thought this isnt gonna work but please just stick with it....nothing can get rid of acne over night.One happy girl now!!!!!

I have only been on this for a week so I know its too early to write a review but I just had to share my experience so far. I am so excited because so far it's been a MIRACLE PILL!! I had a beautiful clear face up until I turned 25 (I am now 35), and then started getting bad cystic acne. When you all of a sudden get acne after your teen years it is usually because of a change of hormones. I have tried everything and my last resort was Accutane but decided not to take it and switched Dermotologists. This new doctor gave me a prescription for Spiro (100mg) and Tazorac. I noticed an immediate difference, my pimples have gone away and there are currently none coming in, which is an absolute miracle! Even my complexion is more radiant! And NO side effects. Its really crazy! Im so happy with the results so far and can't wait to see what is still to come.

I'm 26 years old, I've been suffering with acne for years. I went to the dermotoligst and told them I needed to get my acne under control. I had horrible painful cystic acne. She told me that it was hormonal and because I do not want to be on birthcontrol she put me on Aldactone/Spironolactone 100mg - 1 tab daily (I told the doctor that I have breakouts throughout the month not just around ovulation or menstration time) I wish she would have given me info about the sideffects of this medication because I wouldn't have been wondering what was wrong with me these past three months that I've been taking this medication. My skin cleared up within one month and it was so nice to finally not have to wear makeup all the time!! I just stopped taking this medication two weeks ago because of the increase in headaches I've been having. I gained 15lbs while on this medication and I've lost 10 in the short time I've stopped taking it. So right now I think I'm going to not continue the medication, I wish I didn't have so many issues with the sideffects :( But I know I will miss the clear skin and the giant boobs (they were seriously sooo big and swollen I swore I was pregnant)

I am 35 and struggled with acne my entire life. This drug cleared my skin like nothing I have tried before (and I've tried EVERYTHING). As an added bonus, my face no longer feels like an oil slick half way through the day. The main drawback is that I didn't realize early enough that I would need to change my hair care routine. All of the sudden, my hair is dry and straw-like. But I'm learning to use conditioner, and I'm confident I can get it under control. All in all, I am very happy I started this medication, and wish I could have found it years ago. Now I need to figure out how to get rid of the acne scars :/

ive been on this for about 2 weeks and already i like it. ive been on accutane, antibiotics, and every topical soap, gel, cream you can think of and i still get pretty annoying breakouts. after going through a horrible reaction to an antibiotic that made me think i was dying, i knew i had to try something else. being afraid of the severe breakout that accutane causes, my doc recommended spiro. my skin is so much better, and if i do get a spot it is very small, surface and goes quickly. ive even lost about 5 pounds so far! i will say that i had some odd cramping for about 2 days that has gone away and some light spotting. im assuming my body is just adjusting to the difference in hormones. at the moment im better. my second week i was extremely fatigued. however, as someone who has dealt with acne for almost 10 years......im willing to deal with a lot for normal looking skin. im looking forward to the next month.

My last review was about on my way to getting 99% clear. Today I feel like the chains of acne has broken. I am hoping it stays this way. I take 50mg/day of spironolactone and use differing every night and apply it on my whole face. I have waited 3 months patiently to see the results. I have also changed my diet, I feel it is important to notice a pattern with your acne. If any type of food is causing it, just stop it. I feel just to please my taste buds for few seconds, I get punished with a big spot. I am caffeine,milk and chocolate free. I have realized that these three do make me break out. Guys try hard and I feel you will see the results. Nobody should be a victim of P. Vulgaris. I have not had even one break out in last one whole week, which is not usual. The spots are fading away as well. Eat Healthy, drink water and get good sleep along with everything else and hopefully you will see the result I did.