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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February 10, 2012

Pros:

Easy to take (one step).
Cleared my skin dramatically.

Cons:

It is a mild diuretic, so I am thirstier and have to pee more. My skin feels a bit drier as well.
Weird metallic aftertaste at first.
Takes about a month to work.
Need a blood test first to check your electrolytes.

I've had moderate to severe acne since i was 12 yrs old, and tried everything under the sun (antibiotics, differin, lots of benzoyl peroxide, retin-a, proactiv, various homeopathic and dietary changes). The only thing that ever seemed to make a difference was yasmin, which unfortunately made my hair fall out. It really took some convincing, but my dr gave me a scrip for 100 mg of spiro daily. This is a drastic difference. My skin is the clearest it's ever been. I get zits before my period, but they are small, no longer the terrible, painful cysts that made me self concious and depressed. Basically, if you suspect your acne is hormonal, give this a try. I'm not saying it will work great for everyone, but you won't know until you try.
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February 9, 2012

Pros:

Reduced oil on my skin. Cleared my skin up dramatically when taken with a low dose birth control pill. Took about 3 months for my skin to completely clear up.

Cons:

There honestly are no cons.

I am taking 100mg once a day at night. I also take lo loestrin. The combination of these two medications has cleared up my acne almost completely. I get a pimple here and there, but I truly do not have problems with large breakouts anymore. I have had acne since I can remember--started at around 12. This is the only thing that has worked for me in my entire life. I have been through retinol creams, antibiotics, birth control pills, accutane, laser treatments, you name it--I've tried it. My parents are both OBGYN's they have prescribed this regiment to their patients and it truly works!! Ask your doctor, you will be thrilled after a few months!
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February 7, 2012

Pros:

clears skin

Cons:

need to urinate more frequently

I am 30 years old and have dealt with acne since my preteen years It seems that I've used every prescription and drugstore remedy out there. (Retin A, accutane, oral and topical antibiotics, proactiv etc.) Since completeing a few ( yes 3) rounds of Accutane in my early twenties, my acne did lessen greatly, but it always came back. I was still consistently dealing with light to moderate (got worse when I became pregnant) acne. Because of pregnancies and breastfeeding I had to use only very gentle safe things to treat my acne for the last few years. I'm now safe point (safe-in that I'm not planning to get pregnant for awhile and I'm done nursing) in my life so I made a trip to the dermatologist to revamp my regime. I started taking Spironolactone 50 mg twice a day, Differin and Aczone. I am also on a low dose birthcontrol pill. I use CeraVe foaming face wash and olay sensitive skin complete face lotion. (I mix the lotion with Neutrogena healthy skin foundation). This has completely cleared up my skin! I can't say for certain which drug really worked the magic, or if it's in the power of 3, but I am finally zit free! (I saw great improvements within the first couple of months.) It's getting to be close to a year of this routine.
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January 27, 2012

Pros:

I havent been on this site in awhile due to the fact that spironolactone has cleared my face up dramatically. I went from sever cystic acne and overly oily skin to completely clear and dry skin. I am taking this medicine combined with Ortho Tricyclen-lo. I hardly ever right reviews, but this medicine was my miracle. Ive been on Accutane, which didnt help me at all, and i would hide in the house whenever i could because of my skin. It was horrible. I have my life back thanks to this.

Cons:

Sensitivity to sun,but nothing better than having clear skin, so happy!!!

Ladies who have tried everything under the sun.Please give this medication a go.
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January 25, 2012

Pros:

stunts body hair growth
makes skin smooth

Cons:

can make u emotional
unwanted weight loss
loss of appetite
nausea

My dermatologist prescribed this for me as I have developed unsightly adult acne. I will get huge red bumps along my cheek/chin area out of the blue that last for a few weeks and then leave. They also leave scars. He said this drug was like a vitamin and prescribed 100 mg a day. Due to the side effects I read about, I take it at night before bed. However, I have dropped two dress sizes due to being so nauseated, I can barely eat. My acne has not seen much improvement, i have been spotting (i have a mirena and should not be bleeding). My energy is down and I am extra emotional. Reading other post makes me think this drug is best for those with oily skin (mine is rather dry) and more continual breakouts. I went from a 6 to a 2 so I really didnt need to lose the weight and now feel I look sickly. Or maybe I just need to lower the dose. However, my skin does feel softer and the peach fuzz on face seems minimal. My regime also includes using the Clean and Clear advantage kit.
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January 22, 2012

Pros:

Face Clearing after Initial Breakout
Inexpensive (Even without Prescription Coverage)

Cons:

Initial Bad Breakout
Significant Fatigue
Period Every 2 Weeks
Hair Thinning/Shedding

After a diagnosis of hormonal acne (experienced bad breakouts leading up to monthly periods), my dermatologist prescribed Spironolactone (50 mg/once a day). With very little knowledge of the drug, I took it for about 2 to 3 months before stopping it cold turkey. After a fairly initial bad breakout and a subsequent dosage increase (to 75 mg/day), the drug definitely reduced my acne flareups, going from larger cystic bumps to smaller, less bothersome, pimples. My acne never fully went away (perhaps if I had stayed with the drug longer and/or was on a higher dosage). After about 2 to 3 months, I took myself off the drug completely. Especially after the higher dosage, I experienced chronic fatigue, periods every two weeks, and, worst of all, hair thinning and shedding (odd for a drug that's often prescribed to treat that very thing), which I had never experienced before. As soon as I stopped the drug, almost overnight, my energy level went back to where it was previous to taking the drug and my hair stopped thinning/shedding after about a week (haven't had a problem since, so, without question, I can safely tie it to the drug). My periods went back to normal after about two cycles The hair, period, and fatigue side effects were just too much for me to warrant taking this drug, which, when I researched more deeply, scared me anyway for a host of other reasons. So, bottom line, CANNOT recommend! Since my Spironolactone therapy about two months ago, I've been taking just Clindamycin topical lotion twice a day and, that's actually been sufficient at keeping my acne at bay (perhaps helped by the prior Spironolactone therapy).
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January 22, 2012

Pros:

Cleared large zits on back of neck and back

Cons:

Broke out at first for 2 weeks
Severe nausea after working out

Started taking 3 pills a day but after 3 weeks was not seeing a lot of improvement. Dr upped my dose to 5 a day(125) and I started getting really nauseous after running. Did start to clear my acne however. Anyone else get nauseous?
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January 20, 2012

Pros:

Works!!

Spiro works great!! Started it at the beggining of Dec -- Now January 20th combined with Doryx in the AM, my skin in COMPLETELY clear!! I love this stuff!!!!!!
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January 18, 2012

Pros:

Clears acne so well. Even huge painful cysts.

Cons:

You do have to wait a while to see results. I am 100mg daily, plus I'm on diabex for PCOS. I also use Proactiv as a topial cleanser, which is so great. I waited 4 months before I stopped breaking out in the painful cysts on my face. I still get tiny zits around my period. I have notived I get a LOT of coldsores now. Like instead of pimples I get coldsore before every period. I urinate more, & my periods come more frequent. I get quite emotional too.

The bottom line is BE PATIENT. You take it everyday & see no results for months & then bam you just stop breaking out. Like I said I had to wait 4 months, but it was worth it. I've been on Doxycycline, Ruaccutane, topical gels, etc. Aldactone works great. I just wish I wasn't now getting coldsores every month. I've heard it can be caused from hormone shifts. I did get my periods like clock work EVERY 28 days, now I get them every 22-24 days, but they're a bit lighter. Haven't noticed much difference with hair, yet another reason why I take it. It does increase fertililty, so be careful, because if you get pregnant & it's a boy, he can have hormone problems.
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January 17, 2012

Pros:

NA

Cons:

NA

Just started Spiro and my derm put me on amoxicillin (875 mg 2 times a day)as well, due to spiro taking few weeks to show results. Has anyone been on a similar "program". I do not have cystic acne and after reading post I'm afraid of developing cystic acne in the beginning. Suggestions/advice welcome!
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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:

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