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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December 5, 2009

Pros:

Clears up hormonal acne

Cons:

None :)

I have been taking Spironolactone for 10 days and am experiencing significant improvements. I take 25mg daily and doxycycline as well. I have never had an acne problem until I turned 40 this past October. My dermotologist diagnosed me with hormonal acne. It appeared around my mouth and chin area. I had tried SEVERAL oral antibiotics, as well as topical creams/ointments; nothing worked until now! I am thrilled with the results in such a short amount of time. Please be patient and consistent with the medication. It does work!!
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December 1, 2009

Pros:

NO side affects if you drink enough water, clear skin, easy to use, cheap

Cons:

wish i knew about it 8 years ago!

I have suffered from acne for 8 years. I tried EVERYTHING but accutane, & this is the only thing that worked :) I get BAD migraines when I take BC, so even though I knew I had hormonal acne, I couldnt take it. I tried:Salicylic acid, Topical & oral antibiotics, BC, BP,natural remedies, icing/ steaming, chemical peels, microdermabrasion ...seriously, am I forgetting anything? I am so happy- No crazy accutane or side effects, just one little miracle pill, haha. I have been on spiro for 6 weeks. It took 4 weeks to see results but now i'm totally clear!! I would have classified myself as having moderate-severe acne...Probably 6-10 new cysts per week on my jawline, plus regular acne on my cheeks. I DO notice a difference if I skip the spiro or take it late-- I have heard it must be taken consistently, much like birth control. Now I am being weaned off my BP in the AM & Retin-a Micro at PM & doxycycline, which I had been on for 9 months without results, but now I'll just take ONE pill :)
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November 30, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin, less oil, smoother texture, reversed the post menopausal issues, "girled" me back up.

Cons:

None that I have found!

I am 57 years old and had long since been through menopause. Taking Spiro has re-feminized me along with reducing facial oil, clogged pores, and cystic breakouts. I had had 4 courses of Accutane over several years and still the breakouts came back. I have high BP and need a diuretic so this does everything for me (150 mg). I would give up all my other meds to stay on this stuff - wish they had given it to me sooner. I have beautiful skin that has no breakouts and seems to have gotten firmer and smoother since starting Spiro. Also, the growth rate of the hair on my legs has slowed, my breasts got firmer, my eyebrows don't need to be groomed as often, the facial hair that had gotten worse, is gone...basically, the Spiro has evened out my hormone levels - I love it.
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November 21, 2009
Okay so I just started this med today and will write a nother review in a month or two but I want to stress to all the lady's asking about having baby's. My derm was very clear and said she usually only gives this med to woman in their 40's and 50's because they already have kids and dont plan on having anymore because this drug can cause birth defects. This drug can be in your body well after you stop taking it so it's a major NO for you to want kids and just stop the pill and try to get pregos. I didn't ask how long you should wait but i'm guessing if your on it for years it will be longer then say if you only on it for 6 to 12 months. I see my derm in 2 months and will ask her this question. I also found alot of threads where people only take 25mg to 50mg because their doc wont put them on anything higher but if you want this drug to work you must take aleast 100mg to 200mg. If your doc say's no to upping your dosage go see a derm who know's what their saying!
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November 21, 2009

Pros:

It really has changed my life and relationship with my face, lifted depreshion, so nice to just wake up in the AM and look clear and healthy. :)

Cons:

My eyes and mouth were dry so have to drink more watter. My skin has switched from oily to dryish so now I use a moisturizer / lip balm all the time.

Like so many on here, I had moderate acne for 20 years! At 33 I'm so happy to have a solution and have the disappointment and embarrassment of bad / sensitive / unpredictable skin behind me. I had a very bad initial inflammatory acne flare up for first two weeks. My oily skin cleared up right away which was great. Then slow but steady clearing over the first 8 months. After two years my skin is (and has been) reliably clear and smooth and my scars have faded. Hallelujah! I use to wear makeup and use expensive soaps and do mud masks, but now I can use any old soap and no makeup and my skin is always beautiful. Try is and be patent. I hope it helps!
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November 18, 2009

Pros:

I absolutely love the results of taking this pill! I have tried numerous creams and been on accutane twice and did not want to go on it again!

Cons:

Haven't noticed any..

Give it a try! It takes months before you actually see results, but if you want something that is going to prevent constant breakouts, this is the way to go!
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November 9, 2009

Pros:

It has jerked me out of a deep depression. I went from sitting on the couch all day, to never sitting down at all. I feel elation again, and I never thought I would ever be happy.

Cons:

I haven't had any yet, just that if I don't take the meds on time, I get a little down in the dumps. My acne is much WORSE right now, and quite a bit worse than normal. I am waiting for it to turn around.

My doc said that this was a diuretic that would help my facial hair growth and acne on my face and scalp. I had no idea that I would feel so great. I mean it. I told my doc that I couldn't hardly move my legs during the day. After 2 days on spironolactone, I had the energy to go walking in the park, then get my heart rate up, raking leaves for 3 hours. I'm afraid now that I'm going to overdo it, and have muscle problems going from complete inactivity to lots of moving. So far, I am so ecstatic about the emotional effects, and I am TERRIFIED that the energy will somehow fade away or just disappear. I am so happy now. My breasts feel a little swollen, and I do not detect any increased urination at all. I wake up alert, and go to sleep alert, but sleep all night. The pills taste like there is mint in them. I don't know if they did that on purpose, but it's pretty pronounced flavor.
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November 5, 2009

Pros:

The best medicine ever!!!!

Cons:

none

It clears your skin!!!!!!!!
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October 31, 2009

Pros:

Clearing up my cystic acne. Decreasing oil production. Controlling pre-menstrual flare. Affordable.

Cons:

None

I've been on this for two and a half months... Seems like it's just starting to kick in... I'm also on a birth control pill Estelle-35... My dermatologist told me this would boost the effects of the BC pill. I definitely think it has done just that. In fact the BC pill didn't really do much at all on it's own to clear up my acne and I had been on it for 6 months prior to starting spironolactone. Side effects are minimal...Dizziness, frequent urination, some nausea... I started on 25mg, quickly increased my dose to 50mg, currently on 100mg a day. Really liking this!
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October 27, 2009

Pros:

Works wonders!!! Cleared up my skin in less than 3 months of use! So far the best thing I have tried!

Cons:

As others, I do have to pee more day and night but I got used too. I also feel more tenderness on my breast and the first month acne was worse before clearing up, but appart from that I haven't had any major side effects.

I have been on spiro for almost 3 months so it might be too early to make comments on possible long term side effects but so far it has work amazing! I have struggle with acne all my life, taking antibiotics, topical creams and gels, I even tried Accutane wich work for about a year when I started to break again. My dermatologist suggested I might have hormonal acne so she started me on this pill. I've barely noticed any side effects other than my skin clearing remarkably. I will suggest if you have the chance to try it, it has change my life!
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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:

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