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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July 28, 2012

Pros:

cleared acne
reduced oily face and hair
small pill

Cons:

have to take at the same time everyday (twice a day for me)
loss of period

I've been on spiro for about 8 months (75ml X2) with no side effects. I have an over active bladder so I was nervous to start taking a water pill. I'm very happy to see it did not effect my urination at all. After about 6-8 weeks I noticed a HUGE improvement in my acne with minor break out only around my period (1 or 2 zits). Then the PMS breakout went away after about 6 month of using. It also reduced oil in my hair which is a huge plus for me considering I could barely make it a whole 24 hours before needing to wash my hair again. I was very happy using spiro until this past month when I did not get my period- at all! I mean of course its great to not deal with my period but I prefer to not interrupt my body's natural cycles. I have an appointment to discuss this with my doctor and I'm hoping to start weaning off the medication.
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July 24, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne 100% after 6 months
Less body hair

Cons:

Some head-hair loss (thinning)
Major weight gain - I went from 112lbs to 135
Initial breakout - requires patience
Dehydration
Irregular menstrual cycles & spotting

I had pretty severe cystic acne and bacne in High School, and ended up going on accutane, which cleared me up for a while. 5 years later it ended up flaring up again and I was put on 100mg Spiro. After 6 months I was completely 100% clear and was loving the drug. About 6 months after that I started noticing unnatural amounts of shedding hair, and I noticed I had gained quite a bit of weight while not changing anything else in my life (I'm a very thin, active girl.) Even though I had perfectly clear skin I wasn't feeling good in other ways, so I decided to slowly wean down my dose to 50-75mg. All of the side-effects have gone away -- the weight has melted off and I have noticed less shedding. I do get a few zits around PMS and if I'm stressed now, though. I'm not sure if I'll keep weaning off or stay at this level. Overall I would recommend Spiro... It's absolutely perfect for clearing hormonal acne. However, there are quite a few side effects that may not show up until almost a year after taking it.
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July 24, 2012

Pros:

Fewer breakouts.
Skin is less oily.
Clears skin up quickly.

Cons:

None

I have been on spiro for 5 months now. My skin is virtually clear for the first time in my life. I do get pimples from time to time, but no serious breakouts. Before this medication I had tried every topical gel, antibiotic, and even accutane. This is the only thing that has cleared my skin after almost 10 years of chronic acne.
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July 18, 2012

Pros:

99% clear after 5 weeks - face, chest, neck back
a lot less oily at end of day
minor side effects
thicker head hair

Cons:

can make dizzy when take in am so take in pm
tender breasts
ongoing

I have tried most things apart from accutane and after about a month on this (50mg at night) had mostly clear skin. Am 29 and would get cysts on cheeks and jaw, upper back and started getting on chest which was horrid. Any recent spots have been small and cleared quickly. Im not prone to scarring or hyperpigmentation so am really happy with how my skin looks w/o makeup. Couldnt actually get my doc to prescribe this solely for acne, but managed to get it by complaining of mild hisutism so you can always try this! Its actually slowed this growth too even on a low dose.
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July 17, 2012

Pros:

Skin and scalp are less oily
Clear skin

Cons:

Frequent urination
Watch intake of potassium

I just wanted to give an updated review. I have been on 100 mg daily for a year now. It took almost 8 months for me to be able to call my skin "clear" Little by little after the first 4 months my skin cleared more and more. It takes patience but it is definitely worth it. "Quick fix" medications don't exist and this is one of the least harmful (side effects) in my opinion.
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July 17, 2012

Pros:

CLEAR skin!
Hair and face no longer an oil slick.
Peace of mind.

Cons:

Slightly dry mouth.
Felt dizzy for first month.

Best thing I ever did was going on this medication!!! I'm 29 and had very severe acne since I was about 12. Through the years I had antibiotics, creams, contraceptive pills and Accutane. Some worked, some didn't. Accutane worked after 2 rounds when I was 18 and my skin got lots better. I continued to take contraceptive pills all through my 20s and I was mostly acne-free. Then I developed a melasma (brown patches on my face probably caused by the hormones in the pills) so I had to come off them (they've mostly faded now). My skin became horrendous after coming off the pill and I've battled with bad skin for about 2yrs now since then. Oily, spotty, gross! All the psychological pain i suffered as a teen came back and i had panic attacks and felt so depressed. Antibiotics didnt help me, neither did a very strict diet of no dairy, wheat, sugar etc. I was never going back on accutane (was such awful side effects) so i investigated online and heard about spironolactone. This medication isn't prescribed for acne in England on the NHS. My GP refused to prescribe it to me. So I had go to a private dermatologist to get it. It was so easy to get it from him and it's actually very cheap. I paid £16 for 2months supply (although it was £200 for the consultation!) But from now in I just have to pay for the prescription. And, honestly, within a couple of weeks Of starting spiro my skin was SO much better. Now all my red scarring is healing and I'm getting no big spots. In the last 2 months I've had just couple of little ones that are really manageable. I LOVE this medication! It's truly given me my life back. I feel like a new person. I stopped exercising because I was so paranoid about people seeing my bad skin and showering at the gym so now I'm working out again and have even lost weight too so I'm really happy. If you struggle with hormonal acne, don't hesitate to try this drug. It's been brilliant for me!
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July 3, 2012

Pros:

Completely cleared acne after 20 years of struggling, less oily skin, no side effects

Cons:

None

I took every pill and every cream you can think of. You name it, I tried it. Nothing ever worked like this drug!! It's been a lifesaver. I am more confident and carefree. I take 100mg daily (with breakfast) and have no side effects. I've never been happier! It took about 2-3 months to see results.
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June 29, 2012

Pros:

very affordable
cleared up painful cystic acne on jaw line
kept lighter acne at bay

Cons:

minor drowsiness
have to watch your potassium intake

I've always had light acne that shows up about a week before my period. About a year ago, 2 months before my college graduation, I developed the worst acne I have ever had in my life. Large, painful, cystic acne popped up on my jawline what seemed over night. I did everything I could to try and get rid of it, and it wouldn't go away. If anything touched my face they would hurt and bleed. I basically wanted to crawl under a rock and die. After going to one dermatologist without any results (not to mention painful cortisone shots and antibiotics that wrecked my stomach) I went to my current derm that saw my acne and immediately put me on the Spiro. It's honestly the best thing to happen to me so far. I take 25mg 3 times a day and it, along with Adapalene gel, have completely rid my face of cystic acne. I still get small breakouts here and there but they seem to heal quicker and leave no marks. I pay $3.00 for it with insurance and the only side effects I've experienced is a bit of drowsiness that doesn't last that long.
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June 26, 2012

Pros:

Cleared up my backne, nodulocystic facial acne

Cons:

No cons whatsoever for me

I have been on a combination of Spironolactone 100 mg QD for 10 months with Doxycycline 100 mg Q HS and applying Atralin, a retinoid gel and my skin is almost flawless. I just revisited my dermatologist last week and the Doxy was discontinued. I will remain on the Sprironolactone and Atralin. The Atralin is wonderful because it also contains collagen and will not dry your face out as bad as Retin-A. I use a combination of PanOxyl 4% benzoyl peroxide facial wash in the morning and CeraVe foaming facial cleanser at night. I use the Atralin at night with the CeraVe, Using the PanOxyl will cancel the Atralin out if used at the same time. CeraVe AM and PM moisturizers are awesome as well!! I have had the best luck with these products. I have had acne since I was 13 and I just recently turned 30. I had it with my disfiguring acne. I am a nurse and want my patients to take comfort in the care I provide if they see I am taking care of myself. I would recommend Spironolactone to anyone! P.S. My acne was so bad my dermatologist wanted to put me on an Accutane regimen for four months. I declined due to possible side effects and the risk of acne returning after $2500.00 worth of treatment including visits, medications, and blood testing. Research all options before trying a treatment.
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June 24, 2012

Pros:

Helped me get rid of my cystic acne, lost water weight

Cons:

Takes a few days to get used to, peeing a lot, weird heart rate for a few days, low blood pressure

There are defiantly side effects but for me its totally worth it.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
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Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
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Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
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