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
November 26, 2018
Life Changing!
Seriously, sprionolactone has changed my life! I started on 50mg/day and increased to 100mg/day after about a month. I started seeing a difference around the 4-5 month mark. I've always had terrible hormonal acne around my chin that would flare up around my period or during times of stress. Now, I haven't had a breakout in months. I'm confident to go out in public without makeup on and absolutely love my skin now. If you're wondering about Spironolactone, I would definitely recommend at least trying it for 6 months. I wish I would've gone on it sooner instead of suffering with acne for all of these years.
August 21, 2018
Incredible!
I wish a could give this a million stars. Only product that has ever worked for me. I take 100mg every morning (it's important to take it in the morning, it works better this way), and I have clear skin. I struggled with acne for YEARS. Please do yourself a favor and ask your dermatologist about this medicine.
MidnightSunI
September 8, 2018
Congratulations! How long did it take for spiro to work for you?
August 19, 2018
The best acne treatment that worked wonders
I am a 32 years old female. I have suffered from cystic acne since teen age and have tried tons of acne treatments including isotretinoin at a lower dose. So far the best treatment that worked for me without too many side effects has been "Spironolactone". I have been on spironolactone since last 3 years. One fine day, a wise dermatologist recognized that I have hormonal acne that flares up during PMS and she prescribed spironolactone. My life has changed after that. I started with 50 mg per day dose with 25 mg pill in the morning and 25 mg in the evening. My skin improved a lot within a month and completely cleared within 3 months. After 6 months I reduced the dose to 25 mg per day and it still worked for me. So I prefer keeping the lower dose of 25 mg a day. I still get 1 or 2 minor zits here and there but they don't bother me at all and they heal quickly. Even though my skin is not super smooth, it looks normal and it feels great to have a normal skin. About side effects: Initially I used to get periods twice a month which was annoying. But periods regulated themselves after 3-4 months. After 2 years I again had a short phase of irregular periods but they again got regulated in 2 months. For initial 2 weeks or so, I had some dizziness and frequent urination. But it went away soon.
Also, since this is a potassium sparing drug, I need to get bloodwork done every 6 months or a year to monitor everything is fine.
So far it has been working great and the side effects were minimal and manageable. I feel like spironolactone is a blessing for women suffering from hormonal acne. If you are one of them, please talk to your doctor about this drug. I am writing this review in the hope that this will help someone like me. Wishing the best!!!
September 8, 2018
Great! Sounds like spiro is a winner if you stick with it & know how to manage dosage.
August 16, 2018
Lifesaver
I have been on Spiro for 3 months today. I began at 100 mg daily, crept up to 150 mg, and am now at a comfortable 200 mg. I did not have an initial breakout. My skin before was ridiculous. 4ish cysts on both sides of my face at once and the monthly in-between eyebrow breakouts. I was an oily, depressed mess. I am a 20 year old girl and was frustrated with still having "teenage skin." My skin has now turned over a new leaf. My pores are tighter, the oil that my face now produces gives me a glow rather than a constant sweaty look and I no longer break out from things in my diet or from what I do or do not put on my skin at night. I feel sorry for the old me who spent hundreds of dollars on skincare as a college student and still broke out anyway. The problem was never external. I am not on any other hormonal treatment (bc pills) and do not notice the side effects of this med anymore. Now, all that's left over is hyperpigmentation. I'm looking into microneedling to help with this. I almost don't even want to write this review yet because I know it is only going to get better. This medication definitely works slowly, but be patient with it. Time is going to pass regardless of what you're doing. Talk to your doctor about this medication ladies, it's a simple price to pay for clear skin.
September 8, 2018
Thank you! I notice spiro works differently for each patient. Glad it works & your skin is looking good!
August 9, 2018
First day without makeup in 15 years!!!!
After years of trolling this site, I thought I'd finally contribute now that I've found a wonder cure. This stuff is the best. Really. Having tried everything under the sun for my acne, I finally found the right dermatologist a few months before my wedding and he prescribed this to me - along with a topical antibiotic and antibiotic/benzoyl mix that I rotated nightly and now only use as a spot treatment with hormonal flare ups. I also started using the ordinary's hydrolaunic acid as a moisturizer, and dr. Bronners soap as a mild cleanser. Learning to not touch my face was hard, but now that I've had some clarity (literally) it's getting much easier.
September 8, 2018
Awesome!
August 8, 2018
27 and never experienced an acne treatment like it!
I felt compelled to write a review after relying so heavily on all of the below to make my decision to go on spironolactone.
Like many of you, I had taken as much as I can physically deal with in relation to my skin which I have dealt with for around 10 years. Nothing cleared it up.
Blood tests for testosterone levels came back normal and hormonal acne was dismissed quite some time ago. Having had a new doctor who suggested that the acne is not because of high testosterone but because of a sensitivity to it I started to research the recommended drug spironolactone and here I am, 4 weeks after starting the drug. Week 1 i started on 25mg per day and was a week of getting to grips with side effects. Slight increase in wanting to wee and increased thirst. Week 2 I woke up with two huge painful cyst spots that took around 4 days to go down. Week 3 saw the cysts go down and a decrease in the rest of the spots on my face. I also upped my dosage to 50mg per day Week 4, I honestly can't believe what I'm seeing. My make up lasted a full 10 hours today which is a miracle for me, I'm usually a greaseball after 5 hours.
My skin looks clearer and I'm only seeing the spots that I knew were there, but under the skin, come out. It is no where near perfect and I have a long way to go but this is the first treatment, medical, diet and cosmetic that has made any visable improvement. My dream of walking out the house without make up on seems a little less like a dream now! I really hope it works for anyone reading this. Good luck x
September 9, 2018
Spectacular!
December 13, 2018
How’s your skin doing now?
July 17, 2018
Be patient but it definitely works for hormonal acne!
I had moderate to severe cystic acne on my cheeks. It started about 6 months after I had my Mirena inserted. I tried topicals (Aczone, dapsone) and minocycline. Admittedly I wasn't very patient with this regimen and the dapsone Initial breakout was enough to make me quit using it. I got put on 100mg spironolactone, 50mg twice daily. For months I was frustrated by no results. I kept reading that it took time but I would cry at night and feel so self conscious about the way my skin looked. 5 months in, I started seeing DRAMATIC changes. The acne cleared up significantly but there was still a lot of redness and scarring. From there it only got better. I'm 8 months in, not using any topicals or antibiotics, and my skin is clearer than ever. I do have scarring from the cystic acne and will get lasers if it doesn't improve in the next 6 months. But I no longer break out and any little bumps on my forehead/ chin have cleared. I never thought I'd be able to not wear foundation (HEAVY) during the day or even out at night until now. I'm so thankful!!!! Please give it a try and be patient if you have hormonal acne. Good luck!
August 8, 2018
I am 10 weeks into spironolactone. 2 weeks ago ( 8 weeks) My skin cleared up I thought this it, my acne is gone. I was clear for 2 weeks but now I have up in 5 new active cystic acne. I am so fed up, so self-conscious all I think about is my skin. Did you have a similar experience?? Do you think things will get better??
July 15, 2018
Great
Works wonders if you have slightly high testosterone levels(girls). Also ladies if you have rly heavy long periods which i did, it makes them so much lighter and shorter! Mine now last from 2-3 days and are very light!
June 30, 2018
Cured cystic acne.
Never had acne a day in my life until I became pregnant at 24 and it triggered relentless cystic acne. My breakouts completely ceased within 3 months of the spiro (100 mg), and it looked like entirely different skin completely within 6. I basically consider it a cure. I see people concerned with weight gain, but that's not something you should anticipate with a potassium sparing diuretic like spironolactone. It will make you thirsty, so stay hydrated, but also mind your electrolytes.
June 12, 2018
Works for hormonal acne
I have had mild-moderate acne along my cheeks, jawline, and neck for years. It was controlled to varying degrees depending on my level of stress with topical treatments, but I was looking to make better progress. A friend suggested spironolactone given the distribution of my acne. I was prescribed 100mg daily. I stopped getting frequent whiteheads/cystic acne after the first month (see my album!) but I hyperpigment easily so it has been taking a long time for the dark marks to fade. I now take 100mg every other day and this seems to be maintaining my skin well. I haven't had active acne in months at this point. The only side effect I really noticed was dry mouth in the morning and (possibly) more frequent urination. I'm grateful I gave this a try!
November 23, 2018
After a few months, I wasn’t convinced it was actually making me urinate more than usual.