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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March 9, 2007

Pros:

Inexpensive, few side effects, anti-bloating, effective

Cons:

Takes a few months to see results.
Increased urination at 100 mg a day, breast tenderness that subsided after a month; drowsy and tired during first week of 200 mg a day

I was diagnosed with hormonal cystic acne last fall at the age of 33. Started Spiro in mid-December. 50 mg twice a day. Within 4 weeks noticed marked decrease in oil production. No more oily spots, don't ever have to touch up my powder during the day. VERY NICE. At 6 weeks, noticed some improvement in cystic breakouts, only appearing prior to cycle rather than throughout month. At 2 month visit, Dr. increased dosage to 100 mg twice a day. Have been very drowsy this week. May back off my dosage to 75 mg twice a day and ease into the higher dosage. Added bonus: What I call "hag hair," i.e. crazy long, random hair on my jawline and chin has decreased. :-) And my pores have gotten smaller since oil production has decreased.
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March 1, 2007

Pros:

My skin has definitely cleared up after only 2 weeks of being on 75 mg a day. Nothing has worked this well since accutane.

Cons:

I get extreme headaches, i'm dizzy and tired all of the time and and wake up almost everynight with a crazy cold sweat to the point where i have to change my clothes. Has this happened to anyone else?????

I love it and i hope the side effects subside.
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February 7, 2007

Pros:

Cured cystic acne completely

Cons:

loss of sexual desire

Because of the severity of the acne I will still take it even though I no longer have a healthy sex drive. It sucks but I cannot go back to how my skin was before.
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January 27, 2007

Pros:

is clearing up my face quite nicely, my hair is much less oily too!! the body hair grows more slowly and lighter too.

Cons:

i feel lethargic and with very low energy, i hope it will go away as my body gets accustomed to the drug.

Highly recommend it for adult/hormonal acne over Accutane and Diane 35/Androcur. Try it before the others drugs. Studies show it is pretty safe in terms of side effects.
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January 15, 2007

Pros:

No side effects yet

I have been on it for one week in combination with Diane 35(which stopped "working" to contraol my acne after two year) and my acne is worse-anyone else? How long does it take to work?
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January 15, 2007

Pros:

i have suffered from acne since i was in grade school. i am now 25. my mother is taking it for her adult acne and suggested it for me. i take 100mg a day and i noticed results as soon as a few days. my skin was so oily and congested, covered in zits.

Cons:

i read that it has carcinogenic properties in lab rats. i don't care. living with acne for 12 years would make anyone take that chance.

i have suffered from acne since i was in grade school. i am now 25. my mother is taking it for her adult acne and suggested it for me. i take 100mg a day and i noticed results as soon as a few days into it. my skin was so oily and congested, covered in zits. now, my skin has the perfect amount of oil and i harldy ever break out on my face. my chest and back have always been covered with zits. now i don't have a single one!!!!! i can wear tank tops and love to show off my skin.i actually have people complementing me on my skin! thank you god!!
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January 8, 2007

Pros:

Saw results almost after only a few days of taking Spiro. After almost three months of use, the results have been dramatic. I can't ever remember a time my face was this perfectly clear.

Cons:

The only side effect I experienced was irregular menstrual cycles for the first month and slight dizziness shortly after taking it. Also, the cost for me was pricey, but only because I don't have insurance. If you do have insurance, it's cheap.

I have had mild acne since I was 12 years old, but it was never as bad as it became last summer. All of a sudden out of nowhere, I broke out severely. At my worst I had at least 20 pustules on my face. I tried EVERY topical gel, and minocycline/doxycycline. NOTHING WORKED. After going to a new dermatologist I was desperate to find a solution. I was certain my problem was hormonal, not bacterial. He prescribed me 100mg of Spiro (2 50mg pills per day) in conjunction with .005% Tazorac gel. Within a week, I noticed that fewer breakouts had popped up. After a month I was only getting about one or two per week. And now, after almost three months of use the only breakouts I ever get are around my period, and even then they are TINY and managable. If you have tried everything for your acne and NOTHING has worked, urge your derm to prescribe you Spiro. I pray this continues to work for me. So far the results speak for themselves.
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January 4, 2007

Pros:

no severe side effects, quite effective in conjunction with Tazorac

Cons:

some bleeding b/w periods, no irregular periods as of yet; no really expensive but a significant expense to add per month for ME

Great product and only a few things to watch: no pregnancy while on it and get K levels checked
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December 27, 2006
I'm 42, all of a sudden I was having cyst acne due to hormonal changes. My doctor prescribed Antibiotics and Retin A micro, it did nothing and the Retin A was too harsh. I started taking spironolactone and haven't had a single break out since. Also, with the hormonal change came water weight gain and the spironolactone helped with that as well. I love it!
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October 17, 2006

Pros:

It' scheap and easy to use.

Cons:

I've been on it for almost 3 months with no change in sight... :(

How long does this take to work???
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