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
September 23, 2012
Cons:
broke me out in places Ive never broke out before
I had a very stupid dermatologist that anything I asked about she would tell me its ok to go on. Thats how I ended up trying spiro. I started with 25 mgs for 2 weeks then 50 for two weeks then finally 75 for about a week. I didnt seen any improvements and I didnt see improvements in my oily skin either so I decided to stop. BIG MISTAKE. A week after, which just so happened to be right around my period, I broke out like I never broke out before my period ever, I broke out on my neck and chin and upper lip( my chin and upper lip are places I never ever broke out before especially my upper lip area.) It's been a little past a month since I stopped and I'm still getting breakouts on my chin especially around my period. I'm not totally against this drug if you have a dermatologist that knows what they are doing and if you stick with it. I recommend that if you go off of it to slowly do it and not do it cold turkey.
June 15, 2012
Pros:
Sort of worked--clears me up somewhat w/PMS-time acne
Cons:
-Worry about side effects such as potassium levels and interactions with other meds
-Takes too long to work
-Constantly taking medication
-Expensive
-Requires continuing visits to derm
-Suspected it affected my moods and weight
This helped a little bit, but I just don't like taking medication that seems to be quite powerful. I've continued my quest and I am starting to get enthusiastic about GREEN TEA. It worked faster and better than this stuff.
May 23, 2012
Pros:
Weight Loss (Not major - Small Amount)
Cons:
My face has gotten worse
I'm so sad :-( I read so many reviews about how life changing this drug is. I'm 38 and have been dealing with acne since my 20s. I took Acutane and it worked like a charm. But my moodiness was bad, so I didn't want to go that way again. I am taking 100mg per day of Spiro right now. My derm increased slowly from 25mg. It's been 2 months and my face looks the worst it ever has! I am going back to the derm next week, and am happy to see that some people have a stronger dosage than 100mg. I am hoping that she will increase mine. I am beyond the point of not wanting to leave the house. Everyone notices it. I can see them staring at the acne, not me, you know? I really want the acne gone but don't think this is going to do it for me. I will definitely update if signs improve. Very sad day :-(
April 18, 2012
Pros:
Less oily
I don't know about the acne (too soon to tell)
Cons:
Initial Breakout
Have to pee a lot at first
I've been taking spiro for 19 days and so far I haven't seen any improvements. My acne is actually getting worse, I used to get a few every now and then, nothing major, but they keep popping up and when I think they stop, more come. I'm going crazy, I get that it takes time, but how much longer do I need to put up with this? I'm getting miserable, I don't feel comfortable going out anymore and I hate it. I'm really hoping to see some results in the next 2 weeks. If not, I'm going back to my Doctor. I see all these positive results, but it's hard to keep positive when I look like this.
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.
September 2, 2011
Pros:
•Cleared skin after 1st week for 1wk
•helps loose weight quicker with exercise
•no more cyst
Cons:
•1st wk broke out small pimples
•Very oily skin, more than usual
•small red pimples along jawline
Started breaking out at 27yrs old, very depressing. Went 2 a Dermatologist they said I have cystic Acne because I started getting these huge zits only on the right side of my face. 1 or 2 at a time that would last 4ever, sometimes more than a month. Then they would leave a scare 4 2 more months along with small bumps mainly on the right side of my face. The rest of my face clear. I went through numerous topical ointments & creams. Finally they wanted 2 start me on Acutane I said no. So went on Trinessa BC, Aczone cream & Veltin cream 4 6months. It helped but didn't get rid of the cyst. So they said most likely you have hormonal acne & started me on Spiro 25mg. The 2nd wk was great then, but now 3rd wk all I do is break out along my jaw line wit small bumps that r extremely red 4 15-20min then lighten up but stay. I want this 2 wrk but my face itches all the time with red bumps. Not as oily unless I move around a lot. I'm sticking with it cause I want that clear skin. This may not help but I hope it does.
August 5, 2011
Pros:
slowly clears up skin
Cons:
takes months
many stomach problems
heart burn
extremely gassy after eating
fatigue
I have been taking this for 14 months now. I can say it has improved my acne, but I definitely would not recommend this to anyone. I have had horrible stomach issues, heart burn, and extreme upper stomach gas after I eat. It SUCKS! I hate feeling gassy all the time after I eat anything.
July 8, 2011
Pros:
Don't know yet
Cons:
Initial breakout?
I recently started this medication. Went from 25 mg up to 75 mg where I am currently at now. I have only been on it for three weeks and I am havig the WORST breakout !! Has anyone experienced this ??? Is it normal ? How long does it last? Please give feedback. The derm says to stick it out but this is horrible.
June 24, 2011
Pros:
Side Effects were tolerable
Cons:
Initial Breakout
Menstrual Irregularities
I asked for this from my derm because I have very oily skin and have had mildly-severe acne since I was 12. Started at 50mg/day for the first month. Had a really bad initial breakout; many cysts along my jawline and behind my ears where I usually don't have them. After a month and not seeing any improvement, got bumped up to 100gm/day which I took for the next two months. I saw another initial breakout but it was not as severe and was shorter. The only other side effect I noticed was my periods were very irregular but they were lighter and a lot more cramp-free. After 3 months total on this med my derm decided that I wasn't seeing the results I wanted and I trust her judgement to stop since she has experience with this drug. I saw very little if any improvement with acne and no decrease in oil production at all. Hopefully this means that since I'm still pretty young (20), I'll someday outgrow acne. I don't regret trying this drug though, as the side effects were manageable. I would recommend that women try it because for those on whom it works, it seems to work very well. But it's on to antibiotics for me.
June 10, 2011
Pros:
Cleared up back and chest acne.
Only one side effect listed below.
Pretty cheap.
Cons:
At a dose above 25 mg made me have my period all the time, non stop for weeks.
Didn't clear up the acne on my face, at higher doses it only made it worse.
The first month I used this pill I started out at 25 mg and within a week I already noticed the oil in my skin decrease and my skin was clearing up. Never noticed any decrease in the oil in my hair like other people talked about though. After a month at the follow up with my doctor I was very happy with the results and he asked me if there was any room for improvement and so we agreed to increase the dose to 50 mg. Gradually my skin went back to the way it used to be and within three months it became worse than it ever was. I was getting acne in places on my face I never used to get any before. I went up to 75 mg but it never got better. So after a total of about four to five months, I decided to go back down to 25 mg. My skin got better pretty soon, but it was never clear like the first month. It just went back to how it used to be before this pill.I started getting these photofacial laser treatments again which work way better. I'm still taking the 25 mg a day though because I'm scared to go off the pill and see what happens.Eventually I'll need to go off though. Very disappointed, I had such high hopes for this drug. :(
Pros:
Cheap, small pill easy to take
can be on it long term.