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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September 2, 2009
Geoffrey Redmond wrote a book (The hormonally vulnerable woman) about this treatment after years of experience. It basicly says that in order for the spiro to be effective, you'll need a dose of 100-200mg/day (75mg if you have to many side effects). You'll also need a nonandrogenic (=no testerone-like effect) BC; yasmin was his first choice, though pills like ortho-cyclen ortho, try-cyclen, desogen, diane and mincette are also fine. It's very important to drink at least 1,5 l a day to prevent headaches, fatigue and legcramps. The pill will help you to keep the right amount and lengt of your periods and will also help (up to 50% of) your acne. It schould take 3-6 months to work, if you don't see any progress after about 4th month you up your dose. PS it's funny how no-one here who has used spiro for up to a year has a bad review, so I guess the doc might be right, it is always effective as long as you stick with it long enough. Acne, he says, is ALWAYS due to testosterone.
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August 31, 2009

Pros:

I LOVE this stuff! I am 28 and recently suffered from a very serious bout of deep and large acne cysts around my chin and mouth area. I tried so many different things to get rid of my acne and this was one of the only things that helped.

Cons:

My derm told me it is ony effective on acne for women...

I think the improvements in my skin were also partly do to the new BC I started taking at about the same time - Yaz. Bit definitely the spiro played a HUGE part. I wish I would have started taking it sooner - then I wouldn't have all of these acne scars to deal with.
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August 24, 2009

Pros:

It has cleared up my skin drasticlly! Also, I've lost all the water weight caused by my birth control (about 5lbs).

Cons:

If I stop using it (even if I continue with the Differin), I get a pimple. BUT once I start taking it again, my pimple is gone in a matter of a day or two.

Last fall, my skin suddenly broke out and I tried everything to clear it up (ProActiv, Retinol, etc). Nothing worked until my dermotologist prescribed me spironolactone and differin. My skin was flawless within 3-4 months and just in time for my wedding! I'm 27 years old, and never thought that I would get acne at this age. I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone with acne! It's been a life saver!
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August 17, 2009

Pros:

I actually have seen huge improvements in my skin, it is covered by my insurance, ($7/mo), less time spent worrying about my face and more time spent doing things, I actually went to brunch with NO makeup on this week!

Cons:

If you currently have or have had a history of an eating disorder (me- bulimia) and/or low blood pressure you must have that checked bi-weekly by your doctor. Kind of annoying but worth it!!

I'm 29. Over the past 2 years I developed huge deep, lesions around my lower mouth and checks that would not go away, even on The Birth Control Pill, monthly facials and with all the acne.org products like it has in the past. I literally had to cry and beg for my Derm. to put me on the Spiro. after reading the reviews here. For some reason she was very skeptical. I started on the Sprio at 25 mg 2 times per day. I washed my face with Dan's cleanser, AM I use Oil of Olay for sensitive skin, SPF 15 and concealer, powder, PM, honestly, I'm lazy..I'm supposed to use Epiduo Gel .1-2.5% so I do a few times a week. After 4 weeks I bumped up to 50mg of Spiro 2 times per day. I just saw my Derm this week, it's been 10 weeks now and she was very happy with the results. When I told her I hadn't really been using the Epiduo Gel she was really surprised! Just keep reading reviews and be patient. What works for one women may not work for you remember.
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August 15, 2009

Pros:

Clearer & smoother skin, reduced facial oil

Cons:

Dizziness and upset stomach for the first week or so, but definitely worth my trouble

I LOVE this stuff! I've tried just about everything out there, including accutane twice, without any lasting results. I'm 30 and I've had troubled skin since I was 12. Actually, "troubled" isn't the right word. I've had horrible, red, irritated, embarassing, god-awful skin since I was 12, which is never good on the old self-esteem. Right now, after over a year on Spiro, my skin is "manageable". My make-up usually goes on smooth. I don't have to do 1,000 touch-ups per day because I'm too oily. I feel much more confident, even in bad lighting. I take 100 mgs per day, but I'm thinking of bumping my dosage up to 200 mgs. Is anyone out there taking a 200 mg daily dose? I'd like to know how it's going for you if so. Spiro is a wonderful invention & I highly recommend it!
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August 14, 2009

Pros:

weight loss, lower BP, happier

Cons:

abesoutly nothing

I have had horrible acne with cysts for 10 years now. As soon as I started taking this med. my face cleared up and had no oil. I for whatever reason feel happy now doc. does't know why, but I do. I just can't believe this... it's amazing.
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August 10, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up my acne when NOTHING else worked. Skin is noticeable less oily.

Cons:

None. I have no side effects.

This has done wonders for my skin. I am 26 and have struggled with acne since I was 12. I have tried everything, including 3 courses of accutane.I thought I would never find a solution for my horrible skin. I had numerous painful cysts, mostly around my chin and jawline. It took a couple months to see full results, but it was well worth it. Im on 100mg daily.
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August 1, 2009

Pros:

Spironolactone worked brilliantly! It not only prevented new acne from forming, but also helped with the fading of pigmentation. It works really well, overall. Just give it a couple weeks to start working.

Cons:

I don't know if it's just me, a coincidence, or whatnot, but I realized that I started getting severe migraines on the days that I was taking the pill towards the end of the treatment. It does go away though, so don't worry too much but it's not fun.

It works. It really does. My treatment was spironolactone WITH benzaclin (benzyl peroxide) and differin (adapalene). I don't know which of the three had the most impact, but together, they certainly worked extremely well. However, spironolactone did do its job so use it if you can. Besides, my insurance pretty much covered it so it was inexpensive as well. By the way, I was originally on 50 mg but then I got it pushed to 100 mg because it wasn't working like I wanted it to. It worked really well after I got it increased.
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August 1, 2009

Pros:

hello?! clear skin!

Cons:

not sure, but i feel like im urinating more and ive definitely been taking naps during the day...but that could also be because im on summer vacation and can finally do so!

100mg spiro at night. it just works. i also have scalp issues and, although it did get worse on my scalp before it got better, everything has cleared up. not having to wear makeup this summer was my goal, and it's been met! (my derm offered me a few rounds of laser free of charge since ive been a very good customer over the years). i still cant believe im not wearing makeup and im no longer scared of the rain! definitely try it. oh, and i would recommend taking it at night (although they recommend morning)--i havent had to get up in the middle of the night yet...and i actually seem to get a more restful sleep on this stuff! also on: duac (benz cream/clyndamycin) - morning + moisturizer trentintoin cream -night + moisturizer if needed GOOD LUCK everyone!!! me: acne since early 20s (31 now) - mostly chin, cheeks, jawline, forehead (um, that's everything, right? ;) accutane - 3 times (high doses for shorter periods and low doses for a longer period of time)
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July 30, 2009

Pros:

Works amazingly well- been on 100 mg once a day for a year, suffered with acne for 12 years, accutane four times, and this is the first thing to clear me. My skin has been prefect since about 3 weeks after I started it- TRY IT! It might work wonders!

Cons:

None for me

It is so inexpensive and works better then anything else!
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