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
March 12, 2015
Miracle
I am 31 and have been trying and failing acne treatment since age 12. I have been on everything... accutane, antibiotics, birth control as method for acne control, every single topical agent out there (Ziana working the best, Epiduo coming in second), and all with very little success. Finally I had a doctor prescribe me Spironolactone. I saw improvement in the first 30 days at 100mg, more than other oral prescriptions, but not a complete cure. After giving the drug some time to work, the doc raised my prescription to 150mg. In 2 weeks I was practically clear- having one zit that popped up while PMSing. It's been amazing. Now it's been a month since the increased dosage and my skin looks really good. I have some scars/small bumps that hung around but they are fading very quickly. I am using Epiduo topically a few days a week as that reduces dark spots wonderfully. When I use it more than 3 days a week my skin gets too dry.
December 27, 2014
Started 12/11/14
I quit taking Camrese BCP's about 4 months ago, and hormonal acne kicked in. I have cysts on the right and left side of my chin and pimples down my jawline/neck area, hairline, chest, and back. At first I continued to break out, but now on day 16 of Spiro, I am feeling like it may be getting better. I have noticed that my skin and hair is less oily than before Spiro. I did also notice the diuretic affect during the first 3 days. I will mention that my breasts seem to be fuller and softer. I stayed the same weight so far. My dermatologist told me to give it 2 months to see results. I am 38 year old female, 130 lbs. I will report back with an update.
July 23, 2015
7/23/15 - UPDATE: Dry skin, low libido, and cellulite. Switched to Camrese Lo and decreased to 25 mg of Spiro. Hopefully I will remain clear without migraines and cellulite. I am hoping for my libido to increase as well.
December 13, 2014
The BEST decision I have EVER MADE!!!
Spironolactone: this medicine is the best decision I have EVER made. And I promise, I am not someone that had 2 zits on my face and was upset... I was someone that had large inflamed, painful, hormonal acne constantly all over especially my lower and middle cheeks (12+ zits constantly.) It was awful and I of course have bad red mark scarring everywhere, BUT this medicine has made me ACNE FREE! I started this medicine in mid August 2014 and now it is mid December 2014 and my face is wonderful (besides of course for the scars)
I had always suffered from acne in high school, but once I became a freshman in college my acne was out of control. The zits became larger and were spreading like wildfire. This of course continued and got worse though my second year of college. I am now a junior and this fall semester I started this medicine and I am a new and more confident person that doesn't stare at the mirror in despair crying and wishing it would all disappear. If you are a female, please please consider taking this medicine. I had taken blood tests to test my hormone levels, and the results were pretty much normal, but that did not mean my acne was not hormonal because mine sure as hell was and was awful. So please! Try this!!! I am on 50mg twice a day. I have had no side effects, besides wonderful and clear skin.
P.S. If I could attach pictures of my previous horrendous acne I so would, but sadly that is not an option!
Also, if you would like to read a really great clinical study all about this medicine here it is! [link edited out]
May 16, 2013
Cons:
A bit expensive with no insurance
You may end up peeing a lot (it's a diuretic)
Do not take if you're pregnant or have kidney issues
This pill was a miracle for my skin. I was prescribed this pill for acne and hirtuism. I'm prone to hormonal acne, and pretty much tried everything. I started using Spiro (along with Epiduo) about 2 years ago. I was put on 50mg/2x per day, which didn't do anything. I upped it to 100mg/2x day, and the changes began. For a few weeks, I had HORRIBLE purging; I would take photos of my face every week, and it was rough. I guess between the oral and topical, it was extra bad. But around the 3rd week, things began to clear up. For over a year, I didn't see one pimple. The dark spots left over from prior breakouts finally had a chance to lighten up. I also noticed my period became regular like clockwork (I've always been very irregular). As for the hirtuism, I honestly didn't notice too much. I think I was paying more attention to the acne. My only cons: It depletes your potassium, so you may end up with leg cramps (or wherever on your body). Also, you should get your blood checked maybe twice a year; the medication can mess with your creatinine numbers.
January 22, 2013
Pros:
Cleared my skin about 97%
Awesome self confidence
Only thing that worked for me
Cons:
Took about 11 months for the full effect
Caused a few initial breakouts which lasted about 3-4 months. & yes, they were cystic
Basically, it works if you have hormonal acne, PCOS, insulin resistance, even slightly elevated testosterone. You just need to be extremely patient. I almost gave up. No joke. I could hardly handle the initial breakouts. I ended up on 200 mg a day, 100mg in the morning and 100mg at night. I know this sounds really high and even other derms I have see say it is too much. Yes, I got that. However, it is the perfect dosage for me (5'10, 130lbs). Drink tons of water! Don't give up!!!!
December 28, 2012
Pros:
I am 28 years old and I have old and tried every cleaning product/remedy out there even accutane for my cystic acne. Finally my new ob/gyn put me on the pill and Spironolactone. He told me to take them both together and that the Spironolactone was to be taken twice a day (00mg each so 200mg each day) within a month I stopped breaking out on my face. Once in a while I will break out on the back of my head but overall all I can say this was the miracle I been looking!
Cons:
I have 0 cons for this product!
It doesn't hurt to look into it if you have tried everything else, also make sure your doctor knows if you have any other medical problems example like endo or pcos.
December 6, 2012
Pros:
Makes skin less oily everywhere
Hair less oily
Inexpensive with insurance
Doesn't dry or irritate skin
Cons:
Need to pee and rehydrate constantly
Initial episodes of low blood pressure and dizziness as body got used to the drug
I had taken bcp for many years until I had to come off of them due to a blood clot. My skin was beautiful on yaz so the dermatologist recommended I try spiro. Started with 25mg/d x 1 mo, then 50, and finally to 100 mg daily. Started seeing a difference at 50 mg. Face, back, scalp, and neck cleared up. Still get a random breakout here and there but nothing like before. Spiro has given me back my confidence. Highly recommend for hormonal acne.
October 7, 2012
Pros:
Cheap
Cons:
Didn't work for me
Horrible initial breakouts
I can't explain how sad I am to write this review, because 7 months ago I had high hopes that this medicine would cure my acne (which I believe is hormonal). I am a 30 year old female and have had acne since puberty. I have been going to dermatologists since I was a teenager and have been on almost every internal medicine for acne aside from accutane, and tons of prescription topical creams. Antibiotics work for a few months, then the acne comes back. When I found out about Spiro, I was hopeful this would be my miracle drug. The first few months were beyond hard. My initial breakouts were emotionally crippling. I read these reviews on an almost daily basis to encourage me to stick with it, but it was HARD. After 7 months of no regular improvement, I stopped taking the drug. I was taking 50mg twice a day. My next step is to visit an endocrinologist so they can determine if this really is hormonal acne or hopefully some kind of vitamin deficiency. As great as dermatologists are, they are not certain what the cause of your acne is and I really want to know the root of my issues. I've been reading The Clear Skin Diet by Alan Logan and do believe that changing my diet will help things, but there's no way I can cut out all dairy and sugar. My big hope is that the endocrinologist can confirm I have a vitamin or mineral deficiency (like zinc) and I can fix my issue that way. I honestly don't know what else to do :(
March 16, 2016
Your experience sounds much like mine. I took Spiro for 7 months with NO improvement. My Derm prescribed me this just by looking at me. Never tested my hormone level or listened to any of my concerns. After doing much research I have decided to try Zinc (it's only been 3 days since I started so I can't judge its effectiveness or lack there of). I think I may be Zince defiant because I also suffer from hair loss, do not eat much seafood & have white spots on my nails. Of cours I'm not a doctor so I don't know for sure but I will try Zinc for awhile & see how it goes.
March 16, 2016
Your experience sounds much like mine. I took Spiro for 7 months with NO improvement. My Derm prescribed me this just by looking at me. Never tested my hormone level or listened to any of my concerns. After doing much research I have decided to try Zinc (it's only been 3 days since I started so I can't judge its effectiveness or lack there of). I think I may be Zince defiant because I also suffer from hair loss, do not eat much seafood & have white spots on my nails. Of cours I'm not a doctor so I don't know for sure but I will try Zinc for awhile & see how it goes.
September 10, 2012
Pros:
Fairly quick results
Increased self-image and esteem
Beautiful, healthy skin!
Cons:
Have to be diligent about taking it-it's suppressive therapy, so it doesn't work as well if you're irregular with it
Breast tenderness around period
Moisturizer is now a must-both day and night, or your face may feel like the Sahara!
I am a teacher and was having worse skin than my secondary-level students! I was depressed over the slowly increasing severity of my acne over the past few years, and when I turned 30, my face was like Armageddon, and my chin was the Ring of Fire!
I tried every OTC I could get my hands on, but none truly worked. I was about to try Proactive when my husband urged me to bite the bullet and go to a dermatologist. After going to one five years ago and not getting good results, I was hesitant; however, my new doctor took one look at me, knew what was going on, told me my last one was an idiot for prescribing Tazorac for my very sensitive skin, and tried me out on spiro and an antibiotic, Solodyn. Worked like a charm and I saw results in 2 weeks! Now, because of crazy insurance-ness, we've gone to a slightly stronger antibiotic, minocycline, and my skin is even better than before. For $18 a month, I can run my fingers across my chin without reading Braille-it's so smooth! Now waiting for the scars from that cystic acne to go away from my fair skin, but besides that I would recommend this to anyone exasperated by adult acne!
September 9, 2012
Pros:
reduction in acne, even the pustules and nodules
affordable
Cons:
energy level slightly lowered
sleepier more often
takes a while to work
It took 7 months for me to see results. I use it in conjunction to benzoyl peroxide 5% and Tretinoin (Retin A), which aren't bad. The Tretinoin is a bit expensive since it isn't covered under any insurance for people 27+. The spiro and benzoyl peroxide were super affordable. I was worried for 7 months when nothing happened. Things actually got worse for the first four months, then my doctor upped the dosage from 50 mg to 75 mg, and it started doing its magic. I'm not completely rid of acne, still some cropping up every so often, but thank god I don't have to deal with painful nodules and pustules (they make my lymph nodes swell). I hope this will keep on working.
Pros:
Clears up acne beautifully.
Makes you thirsty, which forces you to drink more water (always a good thing!)
Helps if you suffer from PCOS