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
January 7, 2008
Cons:
Amount of pimples hasn't really changed, just the size. Also a few pimples developed on my forehead...where I never break out.
I've had acne since 12, mild hirsuitism since 16, and I'm now 25. I was on spironolactone about five years ago, and it worked until I went off of it. Since about six weeks ago, I started out with 25 mg/day and didn't see any significant improvement, maybe a slight decrease in irritation/redness. I also got my period on time, which is rare. Then,a few weeks later I got the dosage bummped up to 50mg/day. Again nothing amazing. So about a week ago my doctor put me on 50mg/twice a day. I still haven't seen any major improvement yet, but I have hope since this drug worked before. Question for anyone who has taken this drug long-term and at a higher(>50)dosage. How long did it take to start showing a significant improvement in acne and/or hirsuitism?
January 7, 2008
Pros:
decreased oil production,controlled acne, lost 5 lbs!
Cons:
felt dehydrated
This is the ONLY thing that has ever helped my skin. Significantly regulated my oil production and lessened my body hair. Nearly eliminated the cystic acne I had suffered from for 15 years. Would get small whiteheads (which I never had before), but these would clear quickly. Since this is a diuretic, as an added bonus I usually lose 5lbs each time I restart this prescription (have been on it 2x). The formula that worked for me was 100mg spiro, solodyn, retin-a micro & washing with Glytone essentials. Did cause me to be extremely thirsty.
January 7, 2008
Pros:
clears skin and minimizes hair growth (esp. on chin, etc.)
Cons:
tired, peeing a lot, taking a pill everyday
If nothing else has worked for you (especially topical) and if you've developed acne post-adolescence (like me), it's definitely worth a try! I am back on it after about 6 months off (due to moving, changing doctors, insurance, etc.) but it works for me, and I can't imagine going back. It makes me sad to read about other peoples' experience, looking in the mirror and wanting to cry, avoiding social situations...but there's hope!
January 6, 2008
Pros:
breast size increased, thinner body hair, less oil, diminished almost ALL of my acne
Cons:
took a very long time to see results. must take on a regular basis - if i'd skip a day or two, i would break out. Since it also affects blood pressure, I initially noticed dizziness and trouble exercising (this eventually went away).
I was prescribed spironolactone with differin gel about seven months ago at 50 mg/day. I broke out severely at first. After two months, I saw such little improvement that I went back to the doctor and raised my dose to 100 mg/day. Even then, I still broke out just less severely. It was only recently (about 4 months after raising my dosage) that I saw the improvement I'd heard about. I'm so happy I kept up with the product. I was told I would see full results in three months, but it was really after six. I would strongly encourage anyone battling hormonal acne to try spironolactone for a long period of time! Almost simultaneously, my breasts grew, my face became less oily, and my breakouts had VASTLY improved.
January 1, 2008
Pros:
Flat stomach
Cons:
Make me feel thirsty all the time. Have to drink tons of water to not feel dehydrated, Taking a pill every day.
I have been taking spiro for about three weeks. I definitely saw my belly get super flat but I havent notice much improvement in my acne. I was taking 100mg every day but I upped my dose to 200mg. I will probably slow downt to 150mg baceuse 200mg might be too much and I think a higher dose will not accelerate the process. I will defenitely keep taking it since it seemes like it starts working after month 3. Im also having the Smooth Beam laser done every month. I had my first treatment last month so I'll wait to see how things work all together. I was thinking about getting a prescription for Yaz since I will need the birth control.
December 23, 2007
Pros:
I have lost some weight since I started taking it...
Cons:
my face is breaking out worse than ever
I started taking it 3 wks ago and have upped the dose to 100mg this past week. I had to go off birth control pills 6 months ago because of melasma and my face has been getting worse since. I heard about spiro and asked my doc for it to see if it helps me because my acne seems to be hormonal. Within the 1st week of taking it, I got a ton of bumps on the lower half of my face, big and small - and they seem to be multiplying and not getting any better. Before taking it, the most pimples I would have on my face were about 4-7. My face looks worse than ever! I have read that some of you have had the same problem - but haven't seen any posts from the same people with an update on it it has gotten better. Please - any input would be helpful because I am so depressed right now - I don't even want to leave the house. Is 100mg a good dose to be on?
December 22, 2007
Pros:
i have noticed drier skin and my chin flakes now every day.
Cons:
Haven't noticed an improvement. I have been on it for 3 weeks and I'd say things have only gotten worse.
I am open to giving it more time, but after 3 weeks, I can say I don't feel it's working.
December 7, 2007
Pros:
Helps a lot with oil
Cons:
had a tiny breakout when I first started, peeing a lot, taking it every day
I really liked this stuff. I liked not having to wash my hair all of the time. My oil was helped, but it didn't dry me out. I really didn't mind peeing all of the time since I felt like I was losing weight. I was also taking Yaz so I was taking 125mg of spiro all together.
December 1, 2007
Pros:
Works!
Cons:
Took a few months to start working/irregular periods/diuretic/hard to find a doctor that will prescribe.
Only thing that has worked long term for me. Tried everything (homeopathic/retin-A/antibiotics/accutane etc.)-nothing worked except spiro (100mg/day). Now trying to get pregnant and need to go off of it-looking at the site for alternative treatments.
November 16, 2007
Pros:
Spironolactone works great. After having acne in my teens, then in my thirties with the deep "undergrounds" sprironolactone cleared my skin beautifully. I couldn't believe it after I used laser treatment, years of actibiotics and topical creams.
Cons:
The downside, it caused severe breast tenderness. But I found if I took 500 mg of vitamin e along with the pill, I experienced no breast tenderness at all.
I think it is really short of a miracle. I have been taking it four a few years now. Intially I began with 25 mg have worked up to 100 mg then down to 25 mg. I don't know how long one can take this medication.
Pros:
It seems like my skin is producing less oil. The pimples I get are more towards the surface of the skin, and not as deep and cystic as they were before.