Spironolactone
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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.

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February 9, 2009

Pros:

Might clear up stubborn flare ups

Cons:

gastrointestinal; cancer risk; low blood pressure

I have a new RX for 50 mg per day. Afraid to take because of possible side effects. I am over 60 yrs old and still breaking out, have migraines too, assume hormonal fluctuation. Not many people on this site are my age and still have acne, so find it hard to find answers. Worry about cancer risk, though it's not in my family.
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February 8, 2009

Pros:

Has cleared my acne completely. I used to have very bad cystic acne (the kind that needed a cortisone shot) and this has been my saving grace. I tried accutane and every other oral antibiotic under the sun. This is the only thing that has truly work.

Cons:

I felt sort of nauseous and dizzy the first couple weeks after I would take it. But nothing horrible or anything that lasted all day. I don't have any isses now.

If you have bad acne, the kind that needs an oral medicine, I would definitely reccommend this. I only take 50mg/day. It took longer to really work (about 2 months), but now that it has fully kicked in, it works wonderfully.
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February 5, 2009

Pros:

skin less oily

Cons:

pee a lot more

I honestly have NOT noticed that this is clearing up my acne (yet). I have been taking 100mg once a day for about a month and its almost as if my acne is worse. I also use tazorac at night in addition to this which I have also been using for about a month. My skin looks worse than ever! Its flaky, dry, red, and broken out! I hope that this is just the medicine "kickin in" and it gets better soon.... I have heard to give Spiro at least 2 months so I am being patient. I have noticed that my skin is less oily, which is a plus.
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February 1, 2009

Pros:

No horrible side-effects like head aches

Cons:

INITIAL BREAKOUT!!!!

I definitly have hormonal acne. Im 18 now and have been breaking out since I was 11(puberty). I have very fair features like blonde hair and blue eyes and my skin is pretty much translucent lol. My skin is always red if i even touch my face itll turn bright red so imagine having bad acne with skin like mine. Ive been taking spiro for 2 months. I started out on 25mg for 2 weeks and then uped to 50 mg which i still didnt notice any difference. I was then put on 100 mg, about a few days after that increase I broke out worse than i ever thought i could and it was right before this spring semester!! Ive still been breaking out just as bad and had to be put on depression and anxiety medication because of the devestation. I am hoping Im one of the people who r just having an initial break out for the first 3 months on this higher dose but NOTHING has ever worked for me. Ive been on every kind of antibiotic. I want to be able to feel normal w/out makeup i cant take hiding behind it nemore...
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January 31, 2009

Pros:

I take one prescription Tab 50mg once a day. In Jan 2006 I was started on two tabs daily, but my potsassium level rose to 5.0. I was told the maximum safe level is 5.1.

Cons:

I am a guy, aged 64. One year ago I developed a full beard for the first time in my life. My wife says my voice is lower now. In early 2006 I developed tenderness in my breasts which have now become a pair of female type breasts.

Plus side: I had dangerously low potassium levels. I'm OK now. I have to cut back on potassium rich foods. No bananas (my favorite). Negative side: I jiggle when I jog. I use an exercse bra at the gym. I dress and shower at home. I can't take my shirt off in public. I now know what females go thru when growing breasts. They may be "cute" but it hurts! They stopped growing several months ago. I think that were I to wear bras on a regular basis (which I don't)I would need a 40A to 40B. I am 6'4" and my formerly flat chest was 40 inches. Hmm. No, I've never tried to get milk from them nor do I pass myself off as female. I just avoid getting suntans in public.
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January 23, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, less oil

Cons:

pee alot, some dryness in winter, can get dehydrated

I'm 26 and have been struggling with my acne since I was 13. I've tried it ALL - every kind of cream, washes, antibiotics, even 6 months on accutane - nothing helped. i sayed somewhat clear after the accutane course for about 8 months afterwhich my acne starting coming back. My derm put me on sprio and I've been on it 18 months - the results are amazing! Like nothing else i've tried - my skin looks so good I even get compliments now and then!! i'm on 50mg a day and stay about 90% clear during the month - i get maybe 2-4 small surface pimples a month, and they usually disapear within 3 days without a mark, they dont bother me enough to up my dose. it took about 4 months for FULL effect, so be patient! if you've tried everything, definetly give this a shot!
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January 19, 2009

Pros:

I'm not too sure yet. I have only been taking the medication for a month.

Cons:

Slight dizziness and some tiredness.

I have been taking spiro for one month and was on 50 mg. a day. My doctor just recently changed my dose to 100 mg. daily. I actually have still been breaking out during this month and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Does anyone seem to notice if your face gets worse before it gets better? I'm hoping that the higher dose will help me out. I still broke out around my period, which I thought spiro was supposed to help. I think I just need to stick it out for a few more months to judge the effectiveness. Has anyone else noticed these effects? Thanks!
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January 17, 2009

Pros:

Gives me hope, diuretic, less oily skin

Cons:

Tired feeling, having to pee alot more, skin drier

I have been on ethis for about 2, maybe three months. I started on 25mg, upped to 50mg and am now today upping to 125mg. I still have hope that it works, On the lower dose I did not see any improvement. After reading all these posts I sensed the dosage was too low. I am not looking forward to how this will effect my energy level, but at this point I will try anything. I am 35 years old and started having an issue with acne at 25 with my first pregnancy. I've tried it all--crems, gels, accutane 1x, retin-A and every other imaginable OTC treatment. I keep telling myself I am too old to be dealing with this. I pray this will do the trick for me as it has for so many others suffering from hormonal acne. I'll post again in a month or two and let you know what the higher dosage does.
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January 16, 2009

Pros:

Cystic monthly acne has stopped

Cons:

dry hair, thirsty.. Very tired, achy - monthly cycles are now 17 days from start to start... Not fun..

I love that the cystic acne is gone - I have had break outs but limited.. I seem to scar with each new pimple/cyst so anything that makes them fewer has my vote.. I am worried about my hair though - have heard horror stories of thinning hair and hair loss.. definitely don't want that! Make sure to do your blood test to check potassium levels - if your doc doesn't suggest it get a new doc. I will try for a little longer - I have been on sprio for 3.5 months now..
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January 5, 2009

Pros:

It works. Cheap even if you don't have insurance.

Cons:

Acts as a diuretic so you pee a lot more. Dehydration if you don't drink enough water. Must be careful about potassium intake. Can mess with your cycle or completely regulate it depending on the person

I've been on spiro for a year and a half now, started on 50mg/day and ramped up to 100mg/day after 2 weeks and have been on that dose since. My acne definitely got 80-90% better, but I went without having my period for 9 months (no, not pregnant lol). Since I started getting it again, I now get it every 15 days, it's lighter flow but it's odd (I'm still shedding old lining so it's very dark 'blood' [according to my GYN it's old uterine lining that had built up] mixed with the normal menses). However, I have moderate PCOS that's getting worse with time so that's more than likely the cause of the menstrual issues...but because of the timing, spiro indeed did stop my period for those 9 months. Also, if you drink more than once a week I don't recommend spiro. I'm not a regular drinker, maybe 2x a month, and when I do I'll have 3 glasses of water for every drink I have, and it's never more than 2 alcoholic bevs but I still notice a significant drying of my facial skin for a few days
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The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

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