I wanted to give an update now that I've been on it for a year. I never break out anymore and my skin is very soft. I still use a mild 2.5% BP on my face once or twice daily just to be safe. Prior to using spiro. that would NEVER have been strong enough to keep me clear. I had very severe acne on my face, back and chest. Now I use NO topicals on my body and my soaps are no longer medicated, because they would be too drying. So, if you think only people with mild acne will benefit, you're wrong. I'm also on Yasmin and although it helped reduce oil a bit, it was the spiro. that took my skin to another level entirely. It's a safe way to control your oil production at the source without the terrible and worrisome side effects of Accutane. **If you'd like to read my previous spiro. entry scroll back to Ms. Spiro dated April 5th., 2008.** I sincerely hope this helps you on your quest to break free from this terrible disease. I know how dark acne makes life seem. Please, don't give up!

I am 20 years old, have had acne for about 5 years! Pretty deep and painful cysts but also many on the surface that take a few days to go away. I have tried Minocycline, Bactrim, and Trimethoprim. I would say that none of these worked for me, not even before I developed a resistance to the antibiotics. So my dermatologist prescribed spironolactone! I have been taking 100 mg, once a day, for almost three weeks. He also gave me Epiduo to use as a topical medication. Also would like to mention, I took hormonal BC for about two months which cleared me up. It also made me seriously depressed so I had to switch back to my minipill. (This is how my doctor recommended Spiro to me, because it blocks androgens, which part of what the estrogen in BC does.) First week: Had a slight headache that I could combat with Advil and lots of water (I still worked a full time job so it wasn't unbearable). I also had about three cysts present themselves BUT they were super easy to cover and are basically gone now. I knew there would be an initial breakout and I am just happy it wasnt worse! I had also used the Epiduo twice that week, so my face was a bit dry, but not anything my moisturizer couldn't fix. Week two: This week the cysts were definetly shrinking and I did not get any new ones. The headaches were completely gone, and I felt like my normal self. Some people claim that this medication makes them sluggish although I don't feel that way at all! In fact I felt pretty good- probably from all the water I was drinking. I used Epiduo three times this week, and I think that it is helping a lot with the small pimples that arise at the surface, I had significantly less than I typically get in a week. So now I am halfway through week three and I feel good! I don't want to get too optimistic because if this doesnt work it will be more of a bummer, but I have to say I am pretty happy! I have been told it takes about three months so I am going to wait it out. My acne is relatively mild, so I am very sympathetic to people who really suffer, and I would like to address the people who worry about the IB or other early on side effects: Three months time is going to pass anyway. Whether you take the medication or not the time will pass, and three months from now, if you hadn't taken the Spiro, you will definetly still have bad acne, but if you do take it, three months from now you could have the beautiful radiant skin that you dream of! That's what keeps my spirits up. Hope this helped! (4 stars simply because I am just starting!)

Hello! So I've never posted before but after being on Spironolactone, I have to share my story. I have had very mild acne since I was a teenager. Pimples on my forehead and chin and around my hairline, but nothing too horrible. To manage it, I used a Clean and Clear Blackhead clearing scrub along with Zap Zit on my hairline and had clear skin from about 17-24. When I was 24, I went on the pill (a generic brand, can't remember) and a month after using the pill my periods became really irregular for the first time in my life and I started to get deep, painful cysts on my chin and back. I'd never experienced this before and thought I wasn't using the right face wash and that my face had changed, so I tried a new face wash and nothing. I continued to to take the pill for six months and started to see inflamed, red cysts on my chin and cheek area and transitioned through MULTIPLE face washes, creams, whatever to try and get back to my normal routine but nothing worked. I was frustrated by my decision to take the pill, as I normally am someone who doesn't like to take any medicine at all, so I got off the pill, convinced it had changed my hormonal levels for the worse. Going off the pill helped a tiny bit for a few months, but the cysts persisted. I tried natural methods, like ACV and coconut oil, but the ACV just caused my skin to become inflamed. The ACV did bring the cysts to a head quicker, but it also seemed to cause them to scar. I would also ingest the ACV and that helped with gut regularity, but nothing on the skin. I had never been to the dermatologist before (never needed to) but in September 2014, 15 months after being on the pill and 9 months of being off the pill and trying natural treatments, I felt I needed to see a doctor. I explained my story to my dermatologist, one of the best dermatologists in Utah, and he said right away that it was hormonal acne. He gave me two options, Accutane or Spironolactone. The effects of Accutane lasted longer, but seemed more dangerous and invasive, so I decided to use Spironolactone. In September 2014, I started at 50 mg/day for 1 week, bumped up to 75/mg for two weeks and by the 4th week was on 100 mg/day, my daily dosage since October 2014-February 2015 (present). I'M SO GLAD I DID! The first month was a little tough, I broke out badly on my cheeks, but after 4 weeks, the cysts on my chin started to clear and by November 2014 I was completely clear, with no new cysts. It took only TWO MONTHS. I am still dealing with the scarring, but even that is fading away over time. I had some minor irregularity in my period (it was shortened by a few days), but now have a normal period every 28 days, with no spotting or bleeding in between (nothing like the irregularity of being on the pill). I also didn't deal with any headaches, thirst or fatigue and visited the bathroom a normal number of times for someone who drinks a lot of water during the day. Now I remove my makeup with Simple makeup remover wipes at night and that is IT (I use liquid Bare Minerals to cover the scarring) and I just wash my face with water in the morning. No face wash needed. I use lavender oil mixed into normal SPF face lotion to wear under my makeup during the day and then use straight avocado oil at night, nothing else. I am so happy with Spironolactone. Though I know that if I go off Spironolactone, the cysts may come back, I'm happy taking the medicine that doesn't alter my hormones in a negative way (like the pill did) and I don't have to use harsh washes on my face. As of February 2015, my routine is now fairly natural and uncomplicated, back to where it used to be. Try Spironolactone, give it time and be gentle with your skin (slowly phase out harsh washes and topicals). Like me, you'll be glad you gave it a try!

While I was recovering from anorexia nervosa, I developed moderate cystic acne on my cheeks and chin. It was painful and humiliating; it only drove my already introverted self to stay in and hide away from the world. I felt like a monster and I avoided looking at myself in the mirror for weeks at a time. About 7 months ago I started taking spironolactone, 100mg'probably the best decision ever. Not gonna lie though, the first three months were hell. I got an initial breakout that was pretty brutal, and I was chronically fatigued for those months. Also, I would get my period twice a month. But all of those negative symptoms dissipated as time went on. I began seeing real results around the 5th month. The key with spiro is BE PATIENT! It took a while but the results are so worth it that i would do it again in a heartbeat. My skin is smooth and completely clear (although i do get a random little spot rarely..gone very fast) and so is this acne on my back! It feels so good to wash my face and just feel'nothing. No pain, just smooth skin, everywhere. The only thing I dislike about this medicine is that it is just a temporary fix. If you stop taking it for a couple of weeks you will break out again.. but if you are desperate for hope and change like I was then I say go for it! Tips: Drink a lot more water than you're used to. this medication will make you thirsty. If you are drinking alcohol make sure to drink EXTRA water because Spiro is a diuretic and it has the potential to dehydrate you. Sleep at least 8 hours a day. seriously. You will become a zombie for 3 months if you don't.

I have been on Spiro for just under 4 months. Good luck prying this stuff out of my cold, dead hands. I am a 39 year old female and have had acne since the age of 12. My major problems areas have been my jawline, hairline, neck, chest, back, shoulders and arms. I have been able to keep it somewhat under control with topical treatments over the years having the most luck with BP. Last winter something changed though and I started experiencing new kinds of acne, most noticably constant breakouts at my hairline, horrible neck and chest breakouts, and miliary breakouts that I'd never had before. Also my acne was starting to get more cyst-like...definitely went from minor to relatively severe over this time. This also coincided with irregular and painful periods. Suspecting PCOS I was put on 100 mg Spiro a day. I experienced a severe breakout in week two. I won't lie, it sucked. Oh yeah, and my breasts were pretty sore for about a week or so. However I started noticing a few things during the first month: much less oil (I have never gone a single day without showering because my hair and skin were so oily....now I can go 2 days without washing my hair...and can skip a day of showering without feeling gross), skin is much smoother, pimples are becoming less severe (instead of cyst-like, they are more normal and quicker to resolve), chest, back, arms and hairline cleared within 1-2 months. I used to have combo skin with oily parts and dry parts...now my skin is totally even, and I can quickly apply powder foundation without flakes and oily marks. Third month I was bumped up to 150 mg per day and I would say this is when my neck and jaw made the most improvement. I have not had an active zit for several days (never had I had a day without something somewhere). But all of the sudden my whole life changed. I can wear whatever clothes I want. I had no clothing that didn't cover my shoulders, chest and back completely. I went shopping the other day and was able to try on any thing I saw. Not to sound superficial but for someone like me that is a huge, huge deal. I wore a bathing suit in public for the first time in 2 decades this last Friday. This is a diuretic so I was thirsty and peeing alot the first few weeks. This passed and I don't notice it now. I have irregular periods but some of this may be due to the PCOS and I will be starting BC soon to try to regulate. Seriously I don't care though....clear skin is soooo worth it. You have to give it time to work though...don't pussy out after the first breakout. UPDATE: 01/19/14 I just wanted to give an update since it's been a while since my review. After experiencing several months of bi-weekly periods, I went on the birth contol Yasmin. This has totally regulated my periods. I don't get pimples anymore....haven't for 3 months +. I backed down from 150mg per day to 100mg per day a couple weeks ago with no ill effects. The effect this medication has had on my life is nothing short of a miracle for me. Trust me, if you have hormonal acne and you don't give this medication a chance, then your acne must not be that bad. I would have been happy with 50% improvement, but the results have been nothing short of astounding.

I'm a post Accutane user (40mg once a day for four months) Accutane totally cleared my face up in three weeks. My face was gorgeous! After a year of coming off of it - I started to break out again. I was devestated! :( I have taken several orals...Tetra, Erthyo, Doxycycline and Keflex. They all worked, but caused frequent yeast infections. I have used many topicals... Differin, Metro Gel, Finacea and Tazorac - none of them worked for me. I came off Keflex (prescribed by my Derm)after 9 months and my face was beautiful (not using any topicals) I started to break out again within two months. Small pimples, white heads all over my face. My GYN recommended Spironolactone 50 mg once a day. I have been using it now for one week and honestly, my face has cleared up 90%. I may have 2-3 white heads and 3-4 small red bumps. My daily rountine is: AM: Wash with a warm white face cloth (no cleanser) and lightly moisturize with Aveeno Ultra Calming Moisturizer. PM: Wash with Aveeno Clear Complexion Cream Cleanser (Salicylic acid ), apply DailyClear Adult Tinted Treatment Cream (Resorcinol 2% and Sulfur 8%) and moisturize with Aveeno Ultra Calming Moisturizer. I use Proactiv Sulfur Mask once a week. Don't use benzol peroxide - it irritates my skin too bad. I hope this continues as I don't want to increase my dosage. I will stop using the Clearasil once all the pimples are gone. As of now, I would totally recommend Spironolactone as my side effects are minimal compared to those on Accutane.

I've been on Spiro 4 weeks (taking it with two prescribed daily topicals - Acanya in the morning and Atralin at night - plus Glytone as a facial wash). Less than a week after usage, I noticed visibly clearer skin and weight loss, fluid/bloating that had been consistent went away, and I even started receiving compliments on my complexion and trimmer fit which let me know they were obvious to others besides myself. By week two, I wasn't self-conscious at all about not wearing make-up. Down sides: Week One -- Diarrhea (every morning) and terrible headaches/migraines, which was bad since one warning was against taking NSAIDS such as ibuprofen, etc. Week Two -- Slightly peeling skin and fatigue as only side affects (I would need a nap *every* day) Week Three -- earlier cycle (causing me to have 2 periods in the month of July), though it was light with no cramping--a great thing :) Week Three/Four -- unbearable itching (that spread all over), hives, redness and swelling around eyes and eyelids, and allergic reaction. I had to go to urgent care TODAY for a shot because of the allergic reaction, rash, severe itching, etc. Doctor recommended discontinuing it. It's bitter-sweet because I was getting great results but have experienced way too many side effects. It's not worth it in the longrun. Bye-bye Spiro!

I'm not getting any of the side-effects other folks are mentioning. I'm 27yrs. old, had acne for the past 10yrs. Been on Accutane 2x, blue light therapy, acne laser surgery & now trying this. Started on100mg. for 1 month. I just got switched to 200mg. at the 6wk. mark. I'm getting cysts on the lower part of my cheeks; I've never had cysts there before, so I'm wondering if anyone else has had this issue. I read about a possible initial breakout...maybe that's why this is happening. Overall, my skin is definitely drier than it was before I started this medication. I've been reading that it's taking people at least 3mos. to see improvement, so I guess all I can do is just stick with it. I'm using Ziana twice a day as well.

I love this stuff. Before starting this I could not go near dairy, it would break me out like crazzzzzy. But now I can eat any kind of dairy I want! I love it! This had made my skin way less oily. Before this my face looked like an oil spill, it was gross, and now by the end of the day if I don't touch it up it is only kinda oily. This along with tretinoin had cleared my acne up 100%! And you can read my review on tretinoin on the other page!

The first month I used this pill I started out at 25 mg and within a week I already noticed the oil in my skin decrease and my skin was clearing up. Never noticed any decrease in the oil in my hair like other people talked about though. After a month at the follow up with my doctor I was very happy with the results and he asked me if there was any room for improvement and so we agreed to increase the dose to 50 mg. Gradually my skin went back to the way it used to be and within three months it became worse than it ever was. I was getting acne in places on my face I never used to get any before. I went up to 75 mg but it never got better. So after a total of about four to five months, I decided to go back down to 25 mg. My skin got better pretty soon, but it was never clear like the first month. It just went back to how it used to be before this pill.I started getting these photofacial laser treatments again which work way better. I'm still taking the 25 mg a day though because I'm scared to go off the pill and see what happens.Eventually I'll need to go off though. Very disappointed, I had such high hopes for this drug. :(