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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June 11, 2007

Pros:

spironolactone was the only thing that worked for me

Cons:

you gotta maintain taking it

i had been on every topical, antibiotic, and even accutane. in 2002, i convinced my derm to put me on spironolactone after doing research on the internet. back then, it was rarely prescribed for acne. i had been tested for out-of-whack hormones, but the lab results always came out okay. however, i only ever got pimples along my jawline, lower cheeks, and onto my neck right on the sides of the the windpipe. the derm put me on 25 mgs/day, and i had to push to get it up to 50mgs/day. it took a while, but my skin cleared up. i lost my health insurance and went off spironolactone and within 3-4 months, acne was back on. i've since ordered spironolactone off the internet and started 100mgs/day about a week ago. so far, oiliness is decreasing. i'm confident things will get a lot better within the next couple months. i STRONGLY recommended for women, probably even before any antibiotics.
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May 12, 2007

Pros:

Clears up, just slowly. The pills even have a little bit of a minty taste. They also make you go to the bathroom a lot, which made me lose weight, so I am not complaining.

Cons:

A little lethargic, especially in the morning for me.

Talk to your derm and see what he/she says. I have had very little side effects, and if I did have some, I didn't mind them. Yes, it did make me break out worse at first, but be patient. Just make sure and drink plenty of water. Basically, I have battled awful complexion for years now, done all of it (accutane, antibiotics, and everything else), I have only been on this for about 6 weeks, I am still not clear, but I am seeing a glimmer of hope that I will be (my face and scalp are so much less oily). I am sticking in there and seeing this pill through, I have seen improvments, patience is the key! I will post again in a few weeks.
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April 11, 2007

Pros:

Affordably, no side effects

Cons:

Much worse breakouts

Jenna, (and others) I have been on Spiro for almost 3 weeks, I am having the same problem. I have no fatigue, headaches, etc, but my skin has gotten WORSE, almost as bad as ever. Bad, painful cysts, and many along my jaw and chin. I feel desperate too. Maybe it is normal? But no one mentioned it. I will review again when I have been on this for longer.
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April 11, 2007

Pros:

Don't know as yet, just start like 2 weeks ago

Cons:

Frequent urination and lethargy that when away. about second week in treatment.

During the first week my face break out worse than before. Frequent urination and lethargy during the first week; then in the second week of continued treatment the tiredness went away. My skin is not clear as yet, but I notice a little bit of oil reduction on my face. So, for anyone who's out there and taking sipro to treat acne and you experience any form of break out during the first weeks, it can be a normal sign that your body is adjusting to sipro and your skin is getting rid of all the excess hormone in the skin that causes your skin to break out in the first. Hormone such as DHT which causes some of us to have acne in the first place or androgen sensitivity; meaning that your skin is sensitive to normal level of testosterone in the system. Also remember acne can cause from a lot of deferent things such as: 1. Adrenal problem 2. Toxin in the body 3. Hormonal imbalance 4. PCOS 5. Yeast 6. Parasite 7. Androgen sensitivity
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April 9, 2007

Pros:

Affordable

Cons:

Headache, fatigue

I feel so desperate writing this. After reading this site and trying different things, I finally went on Spiro and have been taking it for 2 weeks. I know it hasn't been long enough to get better, but my face got so much worse. Could someone please tell me whether this is normal? I am getting really painful, deep, huge cysts I haven't gotten before along my chin. My derm didn't mention the possibility of my acne getting worse at first, and so many of you never mentioned it, so I don't know what to think... I would really appreciate some advice.
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April 4, 2007

Pros:

This cleared my skin like anything else. I 've had acne since age 14 (now I am 36) and excess body hair. I have DHEA excess (adrenal problem). Before I tried everything else without results. I am a doctor and prescribed myself 200mg/ day.

Cons:

Before this my periods were regular. Now I am bleeding for 10 days and get bleeding again on day 17. I am lowering the dose to 100mg/ day. Besides on hot weather I sweat like a sailor. Salt craving. Slight nausea. Less energy than I'm used to.

I love to see my face clear for the first time in years. Too bad I am dyslipidemic too (concerns about using oral contraceptives to stop the bleeding)
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April 1, 2007

Pros:

Been on spironolactone for one month, and although 3 months is the optimal time, I can see a difference. Still have a few blemishes but the drug has certainly improved my skin so far. Have not yet seen a difference in facial hair growth or hair loss.

Cons:

Often times feel without much energy, probably due to the dehydration as it is a diuretic. The amount of times I have to urinate has not really changed, just the intensity! Seems like when I go to pee, I REALLY go to pee.

I had been dealing with acne for over a year and did not bother with a dermatologist but only over the counter creams, etc. I knew what the problem was from the beginning, specially after visiting Dr. Geoffrey Redmond's website. I am glad I just cut to the chase, and didn't bother with dermatologists but went right to an endocrinologist. This drug is highly recommended; the pros definitely overcome the cons. One last note: when I went to my endocrinologist and asked him about the potassium level issue, he told me that it is something one does not have to worry unless they have kidney problems. Moreover, he participated in a research conducted to monitor the K+ levels, and no effect was noted. BUT, in my opinion, it is always good to be safe and check yourself every once in a while.
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March 28, 2007

Pros:

It is helping with acne (both cystic and whiteheads). I take 100 mg/day. My facial hair seems to be growing in more slowly too :)

Cons:

First broke me out terribly, then cleared skin substantially (though not completely... I've only been on it for 3 weeks, however); nobody's kidding about the lethargy and the bathroom runs... take it before 6 PM so you won't have to wake up at night.

Not for everyone, but definitely something you should try if you have chronic acne. Please note that I use spiro with doxycycline, so can't vouch that 100% of the clear-up is due to this drug.
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March 22, 2007

Pros:

been on spiro for a week now one pill 100mg a day, along with the topical treatment ziana. so far so good.

Cons:

frequent urination

I started suffering from nodules under the skin as well as folliculitis, when I entered my thirties. My dermatologist first recommended retin-A, as well as having electrolysis to keep the hair from growing and minimize the folliculisis.
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March 22, 2007

Pros:

I'm 34, and have incredibly oily skin and acne. This is the first product I have every tried that has dried up the oil. I've only been using it a few weeks, and have noticed marked improvement--better than anything I have ever used before.

Cons:

Dietary restrictions regarding potassium. I'm afraid to eat bananas or potatoes. I don't really know how much is too much. I also have to get up slowly when using weight machines or else I get lightheaded.

Worth it.
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