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
August 22, 2013
love/hate relationship
Cons:
messes with period on 100 mg (not 75mg)
causes hair loss (this is serious)
lower doses are better like 50 mg because i had no side effecrts on that dose sotry to stick with 50 mg for 6 months before you up the dose. i wish that i would have done that and i could have prevented this hair shedding! Now i just want my hair back and maybe i'll go back on it just at 25 mg to 50 mg! i was on the 50 mg for 3 months with no success.
i have struggled with acne since I was 12. I am 21 now and all I can say is I have tried it all! I started at with topicals (at least 30 I have tried already such as retin-A, differen, duac, ziana, climadycin (sp. ?)). Next was antibiotics like soladyn, minocycline, eurthromycin, doxycycline. after that was birth control Loestrin 24 FE and I took that for 4 months with my skin getting even more severe tat my derm didn't want me to depend on that to clear my face up so she put me on Accutane for 5 months at 60 mg, within 6 months I started breaking out again so she put me on another round of Accutane for 5 months at 60 mg again. 6 months later I was breaking out again so this time I went to my gyno and requested ortho-tri-cyclen (FDA approved to help acne) and I was on that for a year with only 50% relief. then I switched to ortho-cyclen and my face cleared up dramtically. however, my iron levels started getting really high so my doctor didn't want me on bc pills anymore so I went back to the derm and she gave me spiro. this drug did begin to clear my face amazingly at the end of the 5 month and I had horrible breakouts the months before (really bad IB). however, my hair started falling out so much on the 100mg that I lowered to 75 mg and it continued to fall out and thin out. I was freaking out so I stopped it cus I cant afford to lose anymore hair! also 100 mg made my period messed up but 75 mg didn't. if your hair isn't falling out and thinning on this med then def keep at it. it took 5 whole months for me to begin to clear up and I didn't see any improvemnets in the first 4.5 months; no joke. I have also tried to cut out dairy, soy, wheat, and gluten from my diet and take vitamins that are great for acne and nothing helped me. Spiro will help you eventually but if your in a situation like mine, pick your hair over your face! I just stopped it and hopefully my hair stops falling out and grows back!
March 31, 2013
Pros:
Okay so I have never written a review before but this site did help me find out about spironolactone about 4 months ago and I am eternally grateful. I have suffered from acne since I was 11. It was so bad that i never went swimming, i wouldn't leave the house without makeup, it actually controlled my life. I was always insecure about it and it prevented me from playing sports sometimes because i didn't want to sweat. I know anyone who has moderate-severe acne has felt these feelings.
Cons:
NO CONS! but using this space..I have tired EVERYTHING: clindoxyl and other topicals, proactive, a million face cleansers and multiple birth control pills. Finally i did research and found the ACNE FACE MAP (Check out!!) I figured my acne was hormonal. In addition to taking 100mg day of spiro, i also am on yaz. I use the proactive spot treatment if I ever feel a zit coming on which actually has no happened in over a month!! My skin is finally starting to clear and scars are healing.
I do notice the occasional bump or LITTLE zit but it is nothing! People have been noticing my clear skin and i love it. On top of getting on spiro now i feel like i should offer some other acne advice which i know have helped me. Cut out dairy and suger foods from you diet. Drink a lot of water and eat lots of greens! wear minimal make up-i know thats hard sometimes.Wash your face only ONCE a day. Deep breathe and exercise to limit stress which causes breakouts. Smile! you are not alone
October 12, 2012
Pros:
Clear-er skin
Less oily!
Cons:
Frequent urination
Increased skin sensitivity
I'm 22, and have tried almost everything, including Accutane when I was 16 (AWFUL side effects including bringing forth allergies, dry skin, sensitive skin, depression), which cleared my skin until about age 20-21, but was NOT worth the side effects. My skin began breaking out into painful cysts and blackheads, but was too sensitive to use any other products on (other than a very sensitive Avene moisturizer - Thanks, Accutane!). I began researching for a product comparable to Accutane, without the nasty side effects. Spiro was the first and only medication that seemed remotely comparable, so I approached my doctor to try it.
I've been using it for 3 or so months now, although the initial breakouts were rough, I now have amazing skin. Within 3 weeks, my skin went from extremely oily to dry (good thing!). I understood the increase of urinary frequency, as Spironolactone IS a diuretic, specifically used for lowering blood pressure. My blood pressure has been unaffected as well, which was a concern of mine. I'm infatuated with this medication, and would absolutely recommend it to anyone suffering with acne.
July 17, 2012
Pros:
Skin and scalp are less oily
Clear skin
Cons:
Frequent urination
Watch intake of potassium
I just wanted to give an updated review. I have been on 100 mg daily for a year now. It took almost 8 months for me to be able to call my skin "clear" Little by little after the first 4 months my skin cleared more and more. It takes patience but it is definitely worth it. "Quick fix" medications don't exist and this is one of the least harmful (side effects) in my opinion.
June 29, 2012
Pros:
very affordable
cleared up painful cystic acne on jaw line
kept lighter acne at bay
Cons:
minor drowsiness
have to watch your potassium intake
I've always had light acne that shows up about a week before my period. About a year ago, 2 months before my college graduation, I developed the worst acne I have ever had in my life. Large, painful, cystic acne popped up on my jawline what seemed over night. I did everything I could to try and get rid of it, and it wouldn't go away. If anything touched my face they would hurt and bleed. I basically wanted to crawl under a rock and die. After going to one dermatologist without any results (not to mention painful cortisone shots and antibiotics that wrecked my stomach) I went to my current derm that saw my acne and immediately put me on the Spiro. It's honestly the best thing to happen to me so far. I take 25mg 3 times a day and it, along with Adapalene gel, have completely rid my face of cystic acne. I still get small breakouts here and there but they seem to heal quicker and leave no marks. I pay $3.00 for it with insurance and the only side effects I've experienced is a bit of drowsiness that doesn't last that long.
April 27, 2012
Pros:
Practically oil free
Clears acne and prevents it
Cons:
Frequent urination
Lightheaded/dizzy if not taken with food
I am 35 and have PCOS. I was taking metformin before this alone and that helped control some of the hormones my ovaries were producing, which in turn alleviated some of the side effects of PCOS. It wasn't until my doctor added Spiro though that I really noticed the difference in acne and much to my surprise the oiliness of my skin and hair pretty much diminished. I had to carry oil blotter sheets everywhere with me. I haven't had to use those since using Spiro. I've been on it for 2 years now. It did take about 6 months for the acne to clear which was primarily on my chin and jawline. I'd get a few cystic around my period before Spiro. Not one since Spiro and to add to that no more periods because I recently had a total hysterectomy with ovaries intact so I still have to take metformin and Spiro for PCOS. However I saw an immediate effect on the oiliness of my skin and hair. Seriously, within a few days the excess oil my body produced was pretty much gone. Another positive side effect is that my hair after shaving comes back blonde and much softer. Not coarse and darker. I very rarely will get a pimple and lots of times if I just use E.L.F's zit zapper ($1) at most Targets and then their mineral blemish kit that has sulfur in it for ($5) at Target or ($8) on their website. It never fully develops and goes away within a few days. I was also a picker so that always lent it's way to more issues. DON'T PICK! Lol! It's a hard habit to break and I'm so happy it's broken now. I highly recommend Spiro if you are comfortable with the negative side effects in the pamphlet it comes with. Also please, please make sure you have your potassium levels checked every 3 months. Spiro does increase potassium. I had to cut my dose from 200 mg a day to 100 mg a day. That amount is still perfect for myself. You will have to watch your potassium intake while on Spiro. Also to help with discoloration I had after everything cleared up I used scar zone with green tea and SPF. It
April 16, 2012
Pros:
Water weight loss
Acne on back and chest cleared within first 2 weeks
Cons:
Could take months to be effective
Facial acne gets ALOT worse before it gets better
I have suffered from mild acne my entire life but now at the age of 26 it has taken a turn for the worst. I have been on antibiotics, tons of topicals and recently went back on birth control (tri legest-fe) to try to clear my skin, but nothing has worked. I am not sure what exactly caused this change but I noticed the acne on my back and face becoming increasingly worse in August right after I began law school. It was getting so bad that I got
a new dermatologist but when he
recommended Accutane I immediately turned it down. So, as an alternative I started Spironolactone (50mgs 2x a day) and Aczone in Jan. 2012 and my face immediately got so much worse. It has been really difficult to remain on the Spiro throughout the months watching my face get worse and worse (I cried at least once everyday for 3 months) but reading reviews on a daily basis (no exaggeration) of Spiro's positive outcomes has given me hope that this will eventually work for me too.
I went back to the derm two weeks ago (early March) and he decided to double my dosage to 100mg 2x a day and change the topical perscription to Atralin and I have seen huge difference already. What was once clusters of large pimples is now only a handful of isolated pimples and the redness in my skin is lightening up. All in all I cannot say that this medication has "worked" for me YET but as of a few days ago I am beginning to recognize my old face which is something that makes me soooo happy. I hope this contribution will help others the way that reviews have helped me stick with Spiro while watching my skin get increasingly worse. I am giving it at least 6 months in total (by June) to clear me up before considering an alternative and I think everyone struggling w acne the way I have been should give Spiro time before throwing in the towel. I plan to write another review in the upcoming months to report the end results (good or bad).
March 30, 2012
Pros:
Clears skin
Safe medication
Minimal side effects
Cons:
Feel dehydrated frequently
Takes 2+ months to work
You need to be patient with this medication. I have had horrible acne since I was 14. I went on two cycles of Accutane, that worked but only for a couple years at a time. My dermatologist recommended Spiro and at first I was hesitant. I wanted another cycle of Accutane because it was the only thing that has worked. However, she pushed me to keep trying the Spiro out, it takes a few months to adjust to your body cycles... AND IT WORKED! I keep crossing my fingers that I won't get another big cyst, so far so good. As of now at about 10 weeks, I have clear skin. Mix Spiro with Tazorac and it is helping clear up the scarring, etc. I highly recommend, but please be patient and don't get discouraged!
March 6, 2012
Pros:
I have NOT ONE pimple on my face...for the first time in 14 years!
Tiny pill
Cons:
Diuretic
Twice Daily
I never had any acne as a teen. I broke out during my first pregnancy, but it cleared after delivery. Broke out with baby #2 and face did not clear after delivery...he is almost 14 now. I am 40 years old and for the first time since my mid 20's I am not ashamed of my skin. I do use it in conjunction with Clindamycin (topical antibiotic). I have a slight increase in urination, but I have not noticed any other symptoms. I take my second pill with dinner vs. at bedtime to eliminate the need to use the restroom in the middle of the night. The prescription is FREE - 90 day supply via mail order through my insurance. I think it was $5 or $9 that first month at the pharmacy.
March 2, 2012
Pros:
Clears acne
Less oily
Less facial hair
Weight loss
Cons:
None.
It works! Testosterone is the devil in women. It causes extra hair, dark and coarse, oil glands to over produce and cause acne ; as you get older, the skin pores get clogged because the dead skin cells don't easily exfoliate. Just try it, you'll know after a few weeks if it works.
Pros:
clears skin
takes away all the oil
lost 5 pounds