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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October 24, 2007

Pros:

Clearer skin!

Cons:

Headaches if I don't drink enough water

I am on my 9th day of taking 100mg and I think my skin looks good- I have only had 2 small pimples pop up (this could be due to me picking- ew sorry- and that time of the month). They have gone away quickly. I am also on Ortho Cyclen (sprintec) so I am hoping this will help in addition to the spiro. I was really expecting to break out REALLY badly because of the other reviews on this site, and I am happy to say this is not the case. I also have not had to make any extra bathroom trips (water usually runs quickly through me anyway). One thing I have not read about though is my fingernails today all of a sudden feel a lot smoother and stronger- could this be because of the spiro?? Not a bad thing...
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October 1, 2007

Pros:

THE ONLY THING THAT HAS EVER WORKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cons:

occasional headaches, heavy menstrual cycle

I suffered with jaw line acne from late teens to mid 30's I tried alot of medications with no results. I met Dr. Lamberg and he was the first to explain that I suffered from hormonal acne and he prescribed spironolactone. I used it in various mg's per my doctor for several years and at age 42 I am acne free I do not get break outs anymore and I have stopped using it.
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September 17, 2007

Pros:

43 years old have less oil n brake outs now, I have been on it. I can now were makeup all day long, pimples come up smaller and go away much quicker.

Cons:

It takes two weeks to kick in it will make you break out alot (just small zits one day things) then it will clear up quickly. I think all the fast small break outs happen in order to get deep Acme out to clear up at last. Hang in.

I have read all the reviews in this med. I am in th 40's tried everything fro over 20 years and it has cost me alot. Acme runs wild in my family we all suffer esp the girls. This works great just too bad I did not have it sooner. Try it and hang in it will work at ANY AGE. I so glad for it. esp if you have cystic Acme... Thank GOD I am clear...
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August 31, 2007

Pros:

Very cheap and easy to take

i've been using now for about 2 wks. I feel as if I have gotten worse. I have lots of little whiteheads that I didn't used to have before. I keep hoping it must get worse before it gets better. Will keep trying.
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August 8, 2007

Pros:

Less oliy skin/fewer breakouts

Cons:

Frequent urination/dizziness if I don't drink enough H2O

I've had very oily skin since my teens, and it always bothered me. I started Spironolactone as a last ditch effort to get a better complexion (got tired of using those oil absorbing sheets). I've been on it now for about 3 months with good results. Hardly ever breakout now, and the oil is much less. I recently asked my Dr. to increase my dosage from 50mg to 75mg to see if that will further reduce oil production (haven't started the new dosage yet). The first couple of months were a difficult adjustment because I workout and play a lot of soccer. I was really out of breath, and my muscles were tired--something I wasn't used to at all. Normally, I can run around on the field forever! Took a little while, but my body finally adjusted, and now I can exercise just as hard. Funny thing is, I've also suffered from shin splints (a common ailment with runners--ouch), and I can honestly say that I am now shin splint free for the 1st time in 5 years! 5 years! Life is good!
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August 5, 2007

Pros:

cheap, less oily

Cons:

scared of potassium issues,palpitations

only been 13 days... less oily..... as many have stated, I also have painful hard bumps on jawline now.. and usually dont get those...still breaking out, but considering im less oily... I will continue for at least one month or two, to see if I clear up... I HATE acne... but even just having oily skin was something id do anything to be rid of! so ill continue taking it for that reason.... I take 100 mg day, 50mg/morning. 50mg/night..always with food.(salty food) water... skin 50% less oily in just these 13 days and I am one to blot every half hour for the last 18 years.... I am 33. I havenot changed what I eat and only had the palpitations one night and eating something salty made it go away.
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July 22, 2007

Pros:

It is a great anti-androgen.

Cons:

It's a diuretic so you have to take it in the morning so you're not up every half hour going to the bathroom. You also have to be sure to get your potassium levels checked every few months.

I started taking Spironolactone (50mg once a day) for androgenic alopecia. I did notice though that the acne on my back had cleared up and nothing had ever gotten rid of it. I am also on Ortho Tri Cyclen but that only clears up my face.
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July 20, 2007

Pros:

No more cystic acne!!!

Cons:

Hyperpigmentation, chest pains, took a long time to work

I never had the first pimple until I turned 28. Then my face went crazy. I tried over the counter topical agents and antibiotics. I tried differen, but it dried out my skin to bad. Then my derm put me on spiro 100mg. It took 4 months to work, but I love it. My face doesn't get any more cystic acne, but I still get pimples before my period. I have been taking it for 7 months and have started getting chest pain and hyperpigmentation on my upper lip and forehead. I had to get cream for that, but I am going to stay on the spiro b/c it works so well. I guess to side effects are a small price to pay.
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July 6, 2007

Pros:

Inexpensive with my insurance. Less oil production.

Cons:

I'm breaking out more than I was prior to taking Spiro. Almost constant feeling of needing to go to the bathroom.

I started breaking out around 16 and was put on minocycline. Worked wonderfully, but stopped working in my early 20s. Tried all kinds of other things, but had no success until trying Accutane. Accutane gave me absolutely gorgeous skin--even strangers gave me compliments--but my skin eventually started breaking out again a few years later. Tried it again, but really felt uncomfortable with the side effects and what it might be doing to my liver. Had given up hope until my doctor suggested Spiro again (which I previously decided not to take). I am encouraged by other posts that the drug may take some time to take effect. Each morning I seem to be waking up to a new cystic zit and have lots of "bumps" on my face. The oil has definitely diminished though. At 39, I am totally fed up with having to deal with a "teen-age" problem. This has to work!
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July 1, 2007

Pros:

Great for adult acne. I started to breakout when I hit 45 (hormones?. Started taking it a week ago and I have had no new breakouts. Skin is looking back to normal!

Cons:

If you don't have health insurance, it's a bit pricey. Am I going to have to this forever now?

I'm 45 years old so I suspect my sudden "breakout" was due to hormones. Tried retin A, over-the-counter products and nothing worked. My dermatologist put me on Spiro and an antibiotic. Since I can't go on birth control pills, Spiro was the best choice. I am gaining my self-confidence back. Having acne made me late for work (having to cover them takes forever) and I was even afraid to even look at my face in the morning. Now the question, will I have to be on this forever, or will my hormones balance themselves out?
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