Antiandrogen
Reviews
4.1
1330 Reviews
Antiandrogen
Efficacy
68%
Based on All Available Studies
Strength of Evidence
1
2
3
4
5
Antiandrogen
Side Effects
High
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.
Read All About Spironolactone
Compare To Other Treatments
5
51%
4
28%
3
10.1%
2
4.9%
1
6.1%

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
October 29, 2007

Pros:

Inexpensive. Worth trying.

Cons:

Required blood checks to check potasium levels. Not all dermatologists will perscribe.

After tolerating acne from early teens into my 40's and having tried EVERYTHING except Acutane, I found spirno eliminated my constant oiliness and outbreaks. Switched derms and the new one will not perscirbe. I'm checking with my primary physican at my next check up and if she won't perscribe I'll go back to my previous derm. I was only taking 25mg everyother day. I'm pushing 47 and so fed up with the shine and zits on my face and back. Sprino worked for me.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
September 17, 2007

Pros:

43 years old have less oil n brake outs now, I have been on it. I can now were makeup all day long, pimples come up smaller and go away much quicker.

Cons:

It takes two weeks to kick in it will make you break out alot (just small zits one day things) then it will clear up quickly. I think all the fast small break outs happen in order to get deep Acme out to clear up at last. Hang in.

I have read all the reviews in this med. I am in th 40's tried everything fro over 20 years and it has cost me alot. Acme runs wild in my family we all suffer esp the girls. This works great just too bad I did not have it sooner. Try it and hang in it will work at ANY AGE. I so glad for it. esp if you have cystic Acme... Thank GOD I am clear...
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
June 21, 2007

Pros:

Works better than anything I have tried for hormonal acne and oily skin which I have had since I was 12.

Cons:

Remembering to take it twice a day.

I am 43 years old and have suffered with oily skin and acne seems like most of my life. Nothing has worked this well. I take 25 mg twice daily. My skin is less oily w/no breakouts. What more could I ask for. A little oil is ok. I don't want to dry up and look older. I would recommend this med under doctors orders for anyone who has tried it all. You will be amazed.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 15, 2007

Pros:

i have suffered from acne since i was in grade school. i am now 25. my mother is taking it for her adult acne and suggested it for me. i take 100mg a day and i noticed results as soon as a few days. my skin was so oily and congested, covered in zits.

Cons:

i read that it has carcinogenic properties in lab rats. i don't care. living with acne for 12 years would make anyone take that chance.

i have suffered from acne since i was in grade school. i am now 25. my mother is taking it for her adult acne and suggested it for me. i take 100mg a day and i noticed results as soon as a few days into it. my skin was so oily and congested, covered in zits. now, my skin has the perfect amount of oil and i harldy ever break out on my face. my chest and back have always been covered with zits. now i don't have a single one!!!!! i can wear tank tops and love to show off my skin.i actually have people complementing me on my skin! thank you god!!
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 5, 2017
Miracle Drug for Female Acne - Amazing Results
I never write reviews and have been thinking about it for a long time as I've had amazing success so here it is! A little background: I am a 24 year old female and did not really struggle with acne in my teen years. When I was 22 I got off my oral birth control after being on it for 8 years. Within months my skin developed terrible and painful acne around my chin, cheeks and soemtomes jawline. I eat very healthy, work out daily, kept clean pillow cases - nothing worked. I was put on a 50mg dose of Spiro (way too low for my case) and did not see improvement much. 3 months later I was put on 100mg dose and saw about 70% improvement. 3 month later I was requested to go to 150mg. Within about 2 months I was completely clear. I have now slowly gone back down to 100mg and my results are still the same . In all, it took 8 months to reach 100% clear but I feel as if it would have been much quicker if I had stared at the 100mg dose. PLEASE NOTE: I also began using topical Adapalene Gel when I started Spiro which has likely contributed significantly my skin's recovery in combination with Spiro. Adapalene is a Vitamin A derivative (as Accutane is) and repairs your skin cells at an accelerated rate. Here is my current regime and I have been clear for about 8 months: Morning: - Gentle cleanser (I use Cetaphil) -Light face lotion ( I use Aveeno or Olay) - 50 mg of Spiro Night: - More intense cleanser ( I use Panoxyl 10% benzoyl peroxide) - Light face lotion - Adapalene Gel .1% thin layer - 50mg of Spiro
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 3, 2017
Cured my Oily Skin
Long story short - I have had normal skin all my life. Even when I had terrible acne as a teen, I never had issues with my skin being too oily or dry. Suddenly, at age 23 I went through some weird hormonal change and developed super oily skin & hair along with cystic acne along my jawline. Went on the birth control pill (Ortho Tri-Cyclen) which completely cleared my acne in 3-4 months. However I was still struggling with this abnormal oiliness & it was being to take over my life. So, I added in Spiro to the mix. My hair would get so greasy that I could barely go 2 days without washing. My skin would get SO shiny that I looked like I was sweaty and gross all the time. I could never relax - I was always worried about blotting my skin & my makeup never looked normal. Because my skin was so oily I developed a red rash along my cheeks & a skin condition called Seborrheic Dermatitis. I also had a nose full of blackheads and little red bumps/clogged pores that would appear in my t-zone. As an adult working a professional job, it was seriously taking a toll on my confidence and my work. Trying to talk to clients with a face that makes me look like a 14 Year old going through puberty was almost impossible. Even though I had conquered the acne, I felt like I hadn't really made any progress because having such oily skin felt just horrible. Spironolactone has finally relieved me of this issue. I started on 100 mg, which actually ended up making my skin too dry (NO complaints there). So, I bumped it down to 50 mg and things have been great. I no longer have to worry about my skin constantly, I no longer even need blotting papers, and I feel normal again. It has been about 4 months, and for me it started working within the first month. I personally have not experienced any weird side effects. It made me have to pee more frequently when I first started, but once my body got used to it I didn't have an issue. I take it with food, because if I don't I sometimes wake up with a stomach ache (I take mine at night). Otherwise, everything has been good!
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
February 1, 2017
Your story is the one I can relate to the most other than teen acne. Never had acne until after my first child was born. And as I get older it seems to get worse. And the oil in my hair and skin is like you said looks like an oil slick. Hate it and my son always makes remarks about it. On top of this I have rosacea too. My face is a mess. Got the rosacea under control and now the acne stands out. Will be starting the Spiro tomorrow and hope that it will help soon. I will be patient because everyone says that it can take time to start seeing results.
April 1, 2016
Pros and Cons
I've been on spiro for two years. I started at 50 mg and was quickly moved up to 100 mg the dosage which I have stayed on. It has cleared up my skin and greatly decreased oil production. I suffered from extremely oily skin all my life, and now my skin is mostly dry, sometimes combination, but I have to moisturize constantly. I hate to say it, but I almost miss my oily skin, because it gets too dry now. I've also noticed weight gain, around 20-30 lbs! I am 30 years old 5'8 and when starting spiro I was 125-130lbs now I am well over 150 and have a lot of cellulite! I'm also extremely emotional and moody especially the week prior to my period. I'm on Trinessa as well, so maybe that has caused some of these side effects. Has anyone else experienced this with spiro? I love how my skin looks as long as I moisturize, but I hate all these negative side effects. I'm kind of torn at this point.......
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
August 27, 2017
I suffered from anxiety and mild depression for YEARS until I quit birth control. My skin suffered a little but holy crap, I felt like myself again. Also, it would most likely be the pill causing the weight gain, not the Spiro.
March 25, 2015
In love
THIS IS A MIRACLE. Ive tried everything from proactiv to clindamycin gel, nothing worked. I would say that my acne is moderate. I was put on a topic cream that broke my face out horribly. I refused to leave the house. I set up an appt with my derm and she started me on 25mg of spironolactone. In one week I saw results, I'm now about 3 weeks into taking spiro and i haven't seen my skin this clear in A WHILE! I just ended my menstrual cycle so i did break out a bit from that.. but Im so happy with the results. I now feel confident again. I finally found my miracle drug. I can't wait to see the results in the next few weeks!!!!
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 19, 2015
Trying to stay positive!
Ive been on Spiro for almost a month. 50 mg twice daily as well as minocyclin 50 mg twice a day and 0.1 Trentinon(spelling) cream at night. I haven't seen any improvements. Some days my skin looks even worse. I'm trying to stay positive. Here's a little background about myself. I'm 30 years old and my skin has never been as bad as it is now. I've suffered from cystic acne since puberty and I've always kept it somewhat under control with anti-biotics, a clean diet and a ton of exercise. I've modeled for some years, and have always had to apologize for my skin. It's caused such low self esteem. I had a horrible back injury this last September, and since my skin has worsened. Rough texture, oily, and painful, and beck acne which I've never had. I'm back to work as a personal assistant, embarrassed of how I look, like my skin is all people see. Turning down modeling jobs. In a nutshell it's causing me to be severely depressed. I have a supportive boyfriend who constantly gives me words of hope. Also, All of your reviews have given me strength, so I thank you! At this point I can say Acne is a disease. I don't wish it in anyone. All I can hope is that Spiro brings me some results SOON! Il keep you all posted!
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
January 26, 2014
Body acne cleared up

Pros:

Cleared back and chest acne
Inexpensive
Reduction in oil

Cons:

Requires blood tests every 3 months to check potassium levels.
Some dizziness during the first month.
Dries out skin around mouth

I've been using Spironolactone for four months now. I'm 21 and the moderate acne on my chest and back I've struggled with since I was 13 is finally gone. I'm getting no new breakouts, just dealing with the post acne dark spots now. I did not get a bad initial breakout like many other reviewers did. I didn't see a change in my acne for better or worse until the 3rd month when I moved from taking two 50mg pills a day to three pills a day. Every topical medication failed to make a dent in improving my body acne. The only thing that worked a little was Yaz birth control. When I realized my acne was hormonal, my dermatologist prescribed Spiro to me. This medication has given me my body back. If you're a woman struggling with body acne and you think it could be related to hormones, I would absolutely ask your dermatologist about Spiro. It takes commitment and time, but it really is the miracle drug people say it is.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report

Finding a Doctor

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.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.