Acne.org Products
Antiandrogen
Acne.org’s Real World Take
“Spiro” has been shown to work in a real and noticeable way most of the time. However, messing with hormones is messing with hormones and it’s best to proceed with caution.
Antiandrogen
How to Get It
Have a dermatologist? Make an appointment to get this medication. Don't have a dermatologist? See The American Academy of Dermatology Physician Database to find one.
Used Spironolactone? Rate It:
Choose from 1 to 5 stars
June 25, 2009
Cons:
The worst breakouts ever for the first (4-9) weeks when using it, But totally worth it!! Takes a while to work, and getting blood work done.
Like the rest of you I've tried everything basically and spent tons and tons of money on products. I never had a big problem with acne throughout my teen years, but honestly when I turned 20 thats when the breakouts started to get bad and over the counter products wouldn't do the trick nemore. Went to the dermatologist and she prescribed me spironolactone knowin that my acne was hormonal and it's now been about 3 months and finally I'm starting to notice the change that everyone is talking about!!!! First month i was on 50 mg, second month 75 mg, and eventually worked my way up to 100 mg where I'am right now!! I just recently went back to the dermatologist this past week for a follow up and she gave me duac for spot treatment, and that also works wonders too!!! So my daily regime i take 100mg in the morning and wash my face with mary kay velocity followed by duac and then moisturizer!!! My confidence is back!!!! THIS IS A MIRACLE DRUG!!! TRY IT YOU WONT LOSE ANYTHING!!!! :) :)
May 9, 2009
Pros:
This is BY FAR the BEST BEST BEST!!! I'm soooo happy with this medicine
Cons:
Well, in the beginning, you break out twice as bad, BUT stick with it. What helped me, was reading these message boards. You can get dizzy. Like when you 1st wake up or when I'm working out, if I'm really pushing it, I'll feel it
I'm 37, had adult acne that started about age 19. I had cyst soooo bad that they hurt, constant break outs, black heads, pimples, always bumpy skin. Started with 25mg 2x a day, then and now 50mg 2x a day (been on meds for almost a year) and I have so much more confidence! I love when I wash my face, (which I use the wash from this site and most.), I don't feel all the bumps on my face. People are always complementing me now. It truely is a miracle drug. It takes about 2 to 3 months though to start seeing the change so just hang in there and know you're not alone!
January 29, 2009
Pros:
greatly reduced acne, enlarged breasts
Cons:
extreme thirst and dehydration (more at first then slightly less after getting used to spiro), fatigue for the first few weeks, requires blood test, having to take a pill each day
I started spiro at 50mg/day and slowly increased to 100 at about 5 months into taking it. My acne completely went away at 100, but i felt really "off" all the time so the doc told me to gradually decrease to 50mg. Now, I take Yaz BC with just 25mg of spiro and a year later my face is still almost completely clear. After having tried every topical acne product and being on and off antibiotics for 5 years, Spiro has been the only semi-long term cure for my acne. At first it wasn't a fun experience. I didn't drink enough water which caused extreme dehydration - heart pounding out of my chest and EXTREME fatigue. After forcing myself to drink tons of water the symptoms went away. To me, it's totally worth it.
November 23, 2008
Pros:
Less Oil, skin is starting to clear and feeling more confident!
Cons:
It tends to make me a little sleepy for about two hrs after I take it.
I was put on spiro because I have a severe hormone imbalance. My body produces too much estrogen and when you have too much estrogen it converts to testosterone. It is that conversion that is causing my breakouts among other issues like weight gain and hair growth in places women should not have hair growth! I also did not have periods for 18 months until I was on the correct combination of meds. I am 32 years old and have been dealing with all of the problems since I was 29. I was put on Metformin and Spiro in March. I have lost 52lbs and my face has begun to clear. I started out on 25 mg and now on 50 mg. My acne is not completely gone but it has gotten much better. I go to the doc in a few weeks and I am thinking about having him increase my dosage to at least 100 mg daily.
I also LOVE the fact I can wear foundation all day. Before spiro I was so oily that I had to wipe my foundation off by 11:00 in the morning. Now my face stays matte all day!
April 6, 2008
Pros:
Reduced oil production, seldom break out anymore and if so it heals up in a couple days. Now using less topicals due to less oil. Getting dried up. Slower growing body hair too. Lovin' my spiro. I use 200 mg. daily. Men may want to try 100 mg. daily.
Cons:
None, none, none!
You've spent too much time with ineffective topicals and antibiotics. If you can't find a dermatologist to prescribe spiro then it's time to seek out an endocrinologist. Not all endos require a referral. Also, if one won't prescribe it, KEEP GOING til you find one that does. Androgen hyper-sensitivity is a real condition and should be treated with an appropriate medication. It's your life, it's worth the fight! I really love this stuff. After three months usage, my skin is quite dry and I don't worry about breaking out. I'm just healing up from past damage. I don't think there is an initial breakout. It does NOT work like Retin A or Accutane, nor is it a hormone like birth control. It is a HORMONE BLOCKER. My Dr. says it may cause a rash in a few, but not breakouts. If people have experienced a breakout when they started up, it's most likely coincidence. My endo. said it takes 3-6 months for good results and 1 year for full results. It gradually reaches it's full blocking potential.
March 17, 2008
Pros:
Seems to be working FAST and it is affordable
Cons:
Need to get a blood test every 6 weeks. A little dryness
THIS IS AMAZING!! I have spent thousands of $$ trying to get my Acne under control. I have tried EVERYTHING from antibiotics to Accutane, to laser peels and NOTHING has worked. In 1 week (5 days before my period when my acne is at its worse) NOT A SINGLE PIMPLE ON MY FACE!! Just scars. I am a bit angry with the doctors who have SUCKED so much money out of me leading up to this. I hope it continues to work this well. I need to ask if my daughter can use it. She is 14. Does anybody know if she would be able to use it?
February 23, 2008
Pros:
Decreased oil production - 2-4 weeks
Finer & lighter hair - 4-6 months. Remember the hair on your body today was produced under the influence of hormones 6 months ago. Need time for this to work.
Cons:
Diuretic- increased urination and possibly dizziness. Drink plenty of water and reduce your dose if you are feeling dizzy.
I am a 30 year old medical student with POCS, mild acne and hiruisitism (and very poor spelling). Anyway, I was on spiro (plus birth control) years ago as a teenager and it did wonders for my skin- clearing up acne after a few months of use. I went off it as my skin cleared on its own in my early 20's and I took care of my facial hair with laser hair removal (really wonderful for those with dark facial hair). But now with the stress of med school my skin started breaking out again and i decided to go back to the spiro (plus some retin-a this time) and its been a nice improvement.
This drug is a diuretic - drink your water! And reduce the dose if you get dizzy. Talk to your doctor -OBGYN or dermatologist. Dose - starting 25mg 2x/day.
max dose 100mg 2x/day. It is a very short acting - need 2x a day dosing to be most effective.
February 20, 2008
Pros:
skin and hair less oily
reduced cysts
Cons:
gets worse before it gets better
frequent urination
Dizzy sometimes
IF YOU ARE DISCOURAGED BECAUSE YOU THINK THAT THIS MEDICINE IS NOT WORKING PLEEEEASE STICK IT OUT! I have been taking Spiro for about 2 months now and I have seen a huge difference in the reduction of painful cysts and blemishes. I felt so horrible because my skin looked worse than ever that I barely wanted to go anyone or be up close to anyone. I was especially concerned with the lighting everywhere I went because my face was that bad. Within the last week I have seen an improvement and it has been 2 months.At some points it seems like 2 steps forward, and then 2 steps back, but It is important to stick it out! It stinks, but you have to be patient! Give it 3 months! It seems to be working for me, and I have tried everything under the sun except for accutane. I am hoping for even clearer skin at 3 months like everyone says!
February 9, 2008
Pros:
My husband noticed a difference after a week, my pores are smaller and my complextion seemed to even out, hardly any oil.
Cons:
Tired, heart palpatations, dry lips, can't drink enough water. Not enough to deter me.
I am supposed to take 50mg at night and in the morning but I only take the night dose because I felt weird until about 2pm. Doc also gave me Retin A for spot treatments (at night)and Benzaclin(in am). It seems that I have a glow which I've always envied people for and I still have had a couple of cyst since starting a month ago but don't get me wrong it is still better than what I dealt with in the past.
November 6, 2007
Pros:
Effective and affordable
Cons:
None
I was on this for 6 months last year and my face cleared up great. I stopped taking it, and 4 months later I started breaking out again. I had regular, controllable acne until I had my daughter (in 1994). I've done a course of Accutane, which didn't clear me completely, and I don't intend to take it again, if at all possible. I've been back on the spiro for 8 weeks and my face is clear. I was also on Retin-A Micro when I started the spiro and I think that may have contributed to some of the acne I was continuing to get after I started back on the spiro. I stopped using the RAM last week, and it made a big, immediate difference. I don't know why I keep trying to use Retin-A. I've been unable to use it every since my course of Accutane (finished in 2002), but I keep trying. Anyway, I'd give the spiro a try. I'm 43 and don't intend to stop taking it. I've been suffering from acne for 31 yrs, severe acne for the last 13 yrs. My derm said it takes about 6 months to see the full benefits.
Pros:
Cleared acne completley, less oil, bigger boobs, and softer skin!! LOVE IT!! :)