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 29, 2009

Pros:

a miracle, inexpensive, side effects are minimal/tolerable

Cons:

none at this time

50mg of Spiro a day has done wonders for me and my skin! I've been on Spiro since May 26, 2009 and my face has done a 180 degree turn! I'm so happy with the results! I've been diagnosed w/PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) and my sudden outbreak was hormone related. I tried everything from antibiotics and retin a to all the OTC products. To make a long story short- if you have acne, excessive oil and are female more than likely it's your hormones. I can not stress enough how much Spiro has helped my face. I NEVER had acne before, not even as a teenager, and now at the age of 27 my face erupted in a peroiod of 5 months- awful cysts, pustules, blackheads, whiteheads ALL OVER my face, jaw line, chin and neck. Once it was treated from the inside it started to heal. I'm still on spiro, I came off of it (to see what would happen) for approx 7 days and my face started to get a heavy 'film' of dead skin (almost like dandruff) that would not come off. Started sprio angain and it went aw
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July 24, 2009

Pros:

Feel Fantastic!!!!!

Cons:

None so far

I have only used this for a week, but by the third day I felt the best I have since I was about 16, and I'm now 36. I just feel so Light and active. My greasy Dairy sensitive dermatitis scalp has cleared up completely - I can eat cheese again!!!! YAY!!!! My itchy skin has gone, my oedema and morning fluid-filled head has cleared completely. My sinuses are clear for the first time since I was about 12. For me this is a silver bullet so far, no side effects yet, I will kiss my endocrinologist next time I see him. ( he might not like that! ), haha. Hopefully the good effects will continue. Have lost half a kilo, Probably just fluid. Not going to the loo much more than usual, either. Loving it, haven't used long enough to judge about skin or anything else, but I just feel so good that I don't care if it doesn't clear my acne!
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July 21, 2009

Pros:

Clears skin, and reduces oil production. Weight loss. Encourages you to drink more water. Any spots you do get are much smaller and easier to manage.

Cons:

My GP says I will need blood tests every 3-6 months. Frequent urination.

I haven't had any dizziness/low BP but I'm only on 50mg a day so maybe that's why. My chin/jaw acne has cleared totally, at the time of writing this I haven't had a single cyst since starting Spiro. The rest of my face has always been clear but the difference around my chin is quite amazing. Worth a try if you have chin/jawline acne. Also I have lost about 6 pounds in weight.
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July 19, 2009

Pros:

Cleared up acne, cut way back on oil production, makes me feel great. Less body hair is a plus, too!

Cons:

My cholesterol spiked, but maybe that is just a coincidence. Mildly worried about long-term implications (I'm 48), but no way am I stopping this.

I've had acne since I was 12. After four runs of accutane (I was one of the first to use it), I discovered my acne could be completely controlled with the right birth control pills. After I had my ovaries removed a few years ago, I foolishly thought all my skin problems would be over. Wrong. Two years after the surgery, I looked so terrible, I couldn't go to work. Plus, I was having to wash my face every 30 minutes, that's how oily my skin was. I found out about Spironolactone, and within two weeks, I looked like a new person. In retrospect, I wish I had known about this medicine decades earlier. I've done a lot of reading, and suspect I have some sort of congenital adrenal problem that makes me produce too much testosterone. Thank goodness this medicine works, is all I can say. Oh, and I tried getting by on 50 mg, but it wasn't enough. At least for me, I need the whole 100 mg to gain effect.
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July 13, 2009

Pros:

Less oily skin, less inflamation,when pimples appear they are very small and superficial and clear in a couple of days with topic treatment, bigger breasts, less fluid retention

Cons:

More frequent urination, fatigue (especially in hot weather), lower blood pressure, dizziness, feeling of depersonalisation and moderate sadness (although the better skin does make me feel happier!!), menstruation changings

I started taking it after a full course of retinoids, during the period when you cannot take antibiotics nor more retinoids. Does compensate, especially if you are taking it during winter time. Always take it during/immediately after dinner, so the lower blood pressure and dizziness will hit you while asleep =). Improves a lot your skin and you feel more comfortable with it, it doesn't get all sticky anymore. If you would like to have a little breast increase, then you will be radiant! Drink a lot!
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July 9, 2009

Pros:

Eliminated my hormonal cysts, less oil production, smaller looking pores

Cons:

Frequent urination, irregular menstrual cycles, first couple of months migraines

This is a great med for clearing up hormonal cysts. It takes 2-3 months to get results, but is worth it. I hardly ever get cysts anymore (2-3 per year). I've been on this about a year and want to try to get pregnant so I'm going to stop taking this. I'm a little nervous about stopping it and may taper down. Right now I take 50 mg, twice a day. Since I had migraines intially (hormone changes, I'm guessing), I am anticipating something similar when I stop. If you aren't planning to have kids soon, this is wonderful and much less harmful than accutane (so i've heard).
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July 8, 2009

Pros:

This product is great, I was on it for about 7 months and by 5 months my acne cleared up totally. I did notice that when antibiotics were added it really help clear up my skin.

Cons:

I didn't notice any cons until I was off of it. My period took two weeks to finish that first month I was off the medicine.

I am back on it because the acne came back with a vengeance. A new Dr. started at the practice I was going to and did not believe in prescribing this medicine and she took me off. I just started back on it with a new Dr. and hope I get the same results as before, I just hate that I have to start all over again. Good luck to you all.
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June 25, 2009

Pros:

Cleared acne completley, less oil, bigger boobs, and softer skin!! LOVE IT!! :)

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!!!! :) :)
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June 23, 2009

Pros:

NO MORE cystic acne (after 4 months). WAY fewer blackheads (sometimes none) Dramatically reduced oil. Less water retention

Cons:

Initial breakout! totally worth it!

I have tried everything short of acutane. My 18 year old daughter and I started this together. The first few weeks our oil was almost gone. Too weird. I have never seen my pores so small. We were on top of the world. Still, we read the reviews and were waiting for the 3-5 month "initial breakout" Well, it came. No fun. However, it was never worse than my worse breakout. PLEASE stick with it. My daughter wanted to throw it away but I reminded her of all the reviews we have read, After 5 consistant months our skin looks great. We have both increased our dose by 25mg's. (small amount of oil production returning) No longer blotting everytime I look in the mirror. I will only require 1 toilet seat cover in public restrooms. (not one for my face and 1 for my butt) Now if only I can find the perfect acne scar treatment. (the only reason to wear foundation! PS. yes, your boobs will swell a bit.
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June 22, 2009

Pros:

Works well....but seems to be the kind of drug that will take 3-4 months for real results to be seen. I think my new derm underestimated the severity of my acne - prob need more than 25mg.

Cons:

Haven't experienced any side effects so far. But as stated above - don't expect immediate results. Bactim (and obviously Prednisone), in my experience, work the quickest.

I've had severe cystic acne since I was 14 years old & I've been treated with everything under the sun - minocycline, doxycycline, tetracycline, prednisone, Yaz, Bactrim, Accutane (3 rounds), and tons of topicals. Even though Accutane cleared up my skin for 6-10 months after I finished a round of it, the acne eventually came back. I'm now 23 and even though cysts appear less often, I experience moderate/severe breakouts every month. I'd say for 2-3 weeks each month, my skin is pretty great, but for at least 1-1.5 week, I can't leave my house because my skin is so bad (embarrassing & extremely depressing). I know what you're prob saying - her acne is completely hormonal & I agree. However, I can't do birth control (experience awful side effects), so 4 weeks ago, my new derm prescribed Spironolactone. One month in and all was well, but recently I've had one of the worst breakouts of my life. I'm going to stick with it, maybe a higher dosage or the addition of an antibiotic would help
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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:

  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.
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