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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Isabella B.36

April 10, 2012

Pros:

Clears Acne
Less Oily

Cons:

None thus far

This medications has worked wonders for me. I am 37 yrs old and have struggled with acne since my teenage years. Have, as so many others, tried so many different cleansers,treatments and medications. Nothing worked until this. I have been taking for about 6 months now and my skin looks better than it ever has.

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Beautyaddict888

April 3, 2012

Pros:

Skin and hair is less oily. No side effects experienced (yet). LOVE the fact that it decreases oil production on the face. This was a huge problem for me.

Cons:

No new side effects noted.

I've been taking this for about two weeks now. I'm 26yo female and weigh about 100lbs. I was scared to try this first as I heard that it is for blood pressure. I had to persuade my dermatologist to prescribe it for me...as she was adamant about prescribing this and wanted to prescribe Accutane before anything else. Crazy. But anyways, I take this along with ortho tri cyclen lo. I don't have to use the bathroom anymore than usual. I don't feel lightheaded and/or nauseated. I DID get a bad breakout after the first 5 days of using it. I assume it's bc my hormones are trying to level out?? but So far I have about 6 pimples on my face that are slowly drying up..(I hope).

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Kelly

March 30, 2012

Pros:

-WORKS!
-not Accutane! (seriously this sh*t is scary! It's just a band aid and isn't addressing the real problem! If your skin produces too much oil, its the result of hormones or something else, and shrinking your oil glands doesn't fix the problem!)
-Seriously works! Still can't believe this is my skin! No bumps when I wash! Don't have to wear tons of makeup!

Cons:

-takes a LONG time to work
-takes a long time to get used to side effects such as: peeing a lot, being lightheaded, dehydration (drink lots of water!)
-maybe some cancer risk? (though still better than the long standing effects of Accutane in my opinion)
-kind of expensive (but I have terrible insurance)
-not a cure all, still need to do other things

My story: cystic acne since age 13. On mino/tetra/doxycycline for years, had to get off b/c they were hurting my liver (had bruises on my thighs.) Refused to go on Accutane b/c I wasn't willing to hurt my body that bad to get rid of my acne, even though it was terrible and made me depressed. Finally found spiro. My doc only wanted me to try it for 3 months, but I kept on it. I am taking the highest dose, 200 mg. I saw less oily skin/hair within the first few months, less pimples after 6 months, and now finally a year later I am almost totally clear. If you've tried everything else like I have, try this but give it time! This was definitely the straw the broke the camel's back but it's not the only thing I do to have my skin stay clear. I have a vegan diet (for ethical reasons) and the closer I stay to an all veggie diet (no fruit, grains, etc) the better my skin is. (But make sure to eat nuts/seeds to get your protein). I got an blood food allergy test done by a naturopathic doctor (allergists only do skin tests.) I was allergic to soy, wheat, almonds, and many other foods. I gave up sugar and processed (white) flour. Right after I stopped eating these foods I saw the inflammation in my skin go down. I still got pimples but they weren't as bad and went away more quickly. I was a HUGE popper and now I realize I was just making the problem worse when I did that. I would pop little pimples which would turn them into huge pimples, and a couple times when trying to pop cysts they popped under the skin and it was terrible. Now I don't let myself even look at my face for that long after I get out of the shower b/c I know I will try to clear out my pores and make problems. I only wear mineral makeup. Physician's Formula makes pretty good foundation and powder, but I also use Clinique Advanced Concealer when something is really obvious. I also use Retin-A and Aczone. DON'T GIVE UP! Try lots of things together, it wasn't just one thing that cl

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Desi

March 30, 2012

Pros:

Clears skin
Safe medication
Minimal side effects

Cons:

Feel dehydrated frequently
Takes 2+ months to work

You need to be patient with this medication. I have had horrible acne since I was 14. I went on two cycles of Accutane, that worked but only for a couple years at a time. My dermatologist recommended Spiro and at first I was hesitant. I wanted another cycle of Accutane because it was the only thing that has worked. However, she pushed me to keep trying the Spiro out, it takes a few months to adjust to your body cycles... AND IT WORKED! I keep crossing my fingers that I won't get another big cyst, so far so good. As of now at about 10 weeks, I have clear skin. Mix Spiro with Tazorac and it is helping clear up the scarring, etc. I highly recommend, but please be patient and don't get discouraged!

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frieda

March 23, 2012

Pros:

-no cysts in 3 months
-was able to stop taking diuretic for high BP, as this does the same thing
-no side effects
-affordable

Cons:

-I do still break out
-May increase cancer risk

I'm 46, have had cystic acne since I was 18. I've been on antibiotics off and on since I was 21, was last on minocin for around 15 years. I tried this several years ago, and stopped due to nausea. I only tried it again b/c my dr. said I had to come off the minocin (I have blue spots all over my legs, and my teeth are grey) and I was desperate b/c topicals have never done it for me (even though I do still use Retin-A .1%, benzaclin, and sulfacetamide lotion). So far, it's doing a decent job; I broke out badly at first, but things settled down and my skin dried out some. I have some small pimples on my chin that will *not* go away, but they aren't getting worse, either. If this keeps working, and doesn't cause any health problems, I'll be very pleased. Worth a try, esp. if, like me, you aren't willing to go the Accutane route.

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Jaylynn

March 21, 2012

Pros:

Works on cystic acne

Cons:

Have to drink a lot of water
Pee a lot

I started getting acne on my chin in my late 30:s Im now 43 and would still get painful cystic acne. I was put on every topical and antibiotic to no avail. Im on a low dose of 50 mg a day. It took awhile to work about 4 months be it did. I only get one pimple every now and then. t

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Nicole

March 21, 2012

Pros:

- Smooth skin
- clears both topical and cystic ance
- smaller pores

Cons:

- none that I have noticed so far

I can't tell you enough how amazing this stuff is. My cystic acne was horrible... It was embarrassing. I've only been on this medication for 2.5 weeks and my face is almost completely clear. My face hasn't been this clear since I was 13. I'm also using Differen gel so that might be whats helping as well. Everyone responds differently to different products, but this works for me. If you haven't tried this, I would definitely say give it a shot.

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TiaraGibson

March 20, 2012

Pros:

worked wonders!
easy to remember to take (2x day)

I LOVE THIS

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Ethan C.2

March 20, 2012

Pros:

it works!
lose weight

Cons:

none

having some form of acne since I was 13 I randomly got severe cystic acne at the age of 27. My doctor put me on this as a last result before going on acutane. I could see results after 1 week! Not great results but enough for me to notice. Right after the 2 month mark all my acne went away. I am in the middle of my third month and I still get a very small pimple here and there but they go away in a couple days. The only thing I'm still battling are the red acne scars left behind. They are slowly fading but a little too slow for my liking so I am looking for something to speed of that process. I have no back/chest acne either. Sure you have to drink a lot of water and you pee a lot but water is good for you and it is a VERY small price to pay for the results.

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bling

March 6, 2012

Pros:

Completely clears acne
actually clears chest acne and back acne as well!!
lose weight initially
no oily scalp anymore

Cons:

some talk about tumors in rats??
blood tests

I never write reviews atually this is prob my first one but I had to testify to the amazingness of spiro, this drug has changed my life, literally like others , have had acne since 6th gade and Im talking back chest face, it was horrible constantly hiding my skin, I tried every rx known to man and even 6 cycles of accutane, yes 6, and accutane does work...it just doesnt last much beyond when you stop taking it an of course is extremely dangerous.. anyhow, if I only would have known about this drug YEARS ago!! I have to say this is a miracle drug.. I hope it works for you!

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