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
August 8, 2018
27 and never experienced an acne treatment like it!
I felt compelled to write a review after relying so heavily on all of the below to make my decision to go on spironolactone.
Like many of you, I had taken as much as I can physically deal with in relation to my skin which I have dealt with for around 10 years. Nothing cleared it up.
Blood tests for testosterone levels came back normal and hormonal acne was dismissed quite some time ago. Having had a new doctor who suggested that the acne is not because of high testosterone but because of a sensitivity to it I started to research the recommended drug spironolactone and here I am, 4 weeks after starting the drug. Week 1 i started on 25mg per day and was a week of getting to grips with side effects. Slight increase in wanting to wee and increased thirst. Week 2 I woke up with two huge painful cyst spots that took around 4 days to go down. Week 3 saw the cysts go down and a decrease in the rest of the spots on my face. I also upped my dosage to 50mg per day Week 4, I honestly can't believe what I'm seeing. My make up lasted a full 10 hours today which is a miracle for me, I'm usually a greaseball after 5 hours.
My skin looks clearer and I'm only seeing the spots that I knew were there, but under the skin, come out. It is no where near perfect and I have a long way to go but this is the first treatment, medical, diet and cosmetic that has made any visable improvement. My dream of walking out the house without make up on seems a little less like a dream now! I really hope it works for anyone reading this. Good luck x
August 1, 2018
Should I stick with this med?
Hi all - I'm currently taking spironolactone for my acne (25 mg 2x per day). I'm into the second month and my acne is at its worst. I'm talking about painful, cystic acne along my cheeks and jawline. I've noticed fatigue and an increased appetite. I wondered if any of you experienced these side effects and how long it took to see results. I'm so discouraged and in so much pain. After trying holistic remedies, Accutane, birth control, and antibiotics, I so want this one to work! How long did it take you all to see results? Thanks for the love and support my fellow acne sufferers :)
August 12, 2018
I'd try a higher dose
July 17, 2018
Be patient but it definitely works for hormonal acne!
I had moderate to severe cystic acne on my cheeks. It started about 6 months after I had my Mirena inserted. I tried topicals (Aczone, dapsone) and minocycline. Admittedly I wasn't very patient with this regimen and the dapsone Initial breakout was enough to make me quit using it. I got put on 100mg spironolactone, 50mg twice daily. For months I was frustrated by no results. I kept reading that it took time but I would cry at night and feel so self conscious about the way my skin looked. 5 months in, I started seeing DRAMATIC changes. The acne cleared up significantly but there was still a lot of redness and scarring. From there it only got better. I'm 8 months in, not using any topicals or antibiotics, and my skin is clearer than ever. I do have scarring from the cystic acne and will get lasers if it doesn't improve in the next 6 months. But I no longer break out and any little bumps on my forehead/ chin have cleared. I never thought I'd be able to not wear foundation (HEAVY) during the day or even out at night until now. I'm so thankful!!!! Please give it a try and be patient if you have hormonal acne. Good luck!
August 8, 2018
I am 10 weeks into spironolactone. 2 weeks ago ( 8 weeks) My skin cleared up I thought this it, my acne is gone. I was clear for 2 weeks but now I have up in 5 new active cystic acne. I am so fed up, so self-conscious all I think about is my skin. Did you have a similar experience?? Do you think things will get better??
July 15, 2018
Great
Works wonders if you have slightly high testosterone levels(girls). Also ladies if you have rly heavy long periods which i did, it makes them so much lighter and shorter! Mine now last from 2-3 days and are very light!
July 6, 2018
Could anyone answer this? Will this help me?
I am a teen and I have had cystic breakouts on my forehead for about three years now, and just recently I experienced one cystic pimple every now and then on my cheeks. A couple years ago I was prescribed with tretinoin cream and that has helped with my marks and hyperpigmentation but not the actual cysts. I just went to my dermatologist today and she prescribed me with Spironolactone 50mg and I will soon check in with her in about 2 weeks so I can go up to 100mg. Before I start taking it, is there anything I should know about it? I am going into high school and play a lot of sports so I do not want to have to experience any joint or muscle pain. Can Spironolactone help with my cystic breakouts on the forehead?
June 30, 2018
Cured cystic acne.
Never had acne a day in my life until I became pregnant at 24 and it triggered relentless cystic acne. My breakouts completely ceased within 3 months of the spiro (100 mg), and it looked like entirely different skin completely within 6. I basically consider it a cure. I see people concerned with weight gain, but that's not something you should anticipate with a potassium sparing diuretic like spironolactone. It will make you thirsty, so stay hydrated, but also mind your electrolytes.
June 12, 2018
Works for hormonal acne
I have had mild-moderate acne along my cheeks, jawline, and neck for years. It was controlled to varying degrees depending on my level of stress with topical treatments, but I was looking to make better progress. A friend suggested spironolactone given the distribution of my acne. I was prescribed 100mg daily. I stopped getting frequent whiteheads/cystic acne after the first month (see my album!) but I hyperpigment easily so it has been taking a long time for the dark marks to fade. I now take 100mg every other day and this seems to be maintaining my skin well. I haven't had active acne in months at this point. The only side effect I really noticed was dry mouth in the morning and (possibly) more frequent urination. I'm grateful I gave this a try!
November 23, 2018
After a few months, I wasn’t convinced it was actually making me urinate more than usual.
May 31, 2018
I HAVE FOUND MY SOLUTION
Hello, so I have been using acne.org products for a couple years, loved them, the do help, but it's expensive and time consuming, don't want to buy regular and travel size etc. My mom had deep, deep acne as a kid and still has scars at 53 as we know cystic acne can be genetic My acne is mostly on my chin, cheeks, near mouth, on neck, and back indicating a HORMONAL link. I get deep ones on my neck and cheeks especially I tried to balance my hormones to combat it and eat little dairy to help that as well. I exercise and carry a massive 64 oz water bottle that i go through 2-3 times a day every day. I get 6-10 hours of sleep every night usually around 7. Never sleep with makeup on, always go through my elaborate skin care regimen (mostly acne.org stuff besides cleanser, and also use glossier aha+ solution.) And have little stress in my life that's unman aged, I meditate, have a good attitude, and rarely have to face anything too terrible so that's not it. So I'm doing all the things you're supposed to...... I tried Skin care exposed acne.org many generic drug store products (cetophyl, nutragena, Clearasil, etc.) ACNE LASERS (do not recomend, it actually got worse, and I'm not sure why. I did over 10 treatments I believe because my boyfriend wanted to help me conquer this he paid for it so I'm not certain, but it was very painful, expensive, and ineffeftic sadly.) Trtroin cream and gel Many cycles of antibiotics (doxy) Llysiene DIM (did help a lot but didn't fully clear, best thing I've found besides spironolactone though, but more expensive.) Etc. (We've all tried lots of things, you get it, but I thought it might be relevant for people trying to figure out what they should try first or what might work for them based on our possible similarities) Important part: My roommate had really bad, scattered, cystic acne and one day it really started clearing up I asked what she had been doing and she said her doctor prescribed spironolactone. I asked my doctor to do the same, she was all for it. I take 50 mg The first month was really bad, I broke out REALLY hard. But I had seen all the positive reviews and photos that said this would happen and to stick it out, so I did. Month 2.5 I was so happy with my skin, it's SO SOFT and clear. It's incredible to be able to touch my neck and face without tons of textures. My skin did peel really badly around month 1.5-3 so be prepared. It was annoying, but worth it. MONTH 3 I HAVE ZERO active pimples and some red spots that are still healing (I did kind of keep picking throughout the months but I think I will break that as I have nothing left to pick) My makeup goes on incredilbly, I am so, so, so grateful. I was so close to trying accutane but have been putting it off as a last resort because of the side effects. Now I'm free. I sent my doc a thank you card I'm so happy. Please, if you know anyone with hormonal ance, tell them about it, or try it yourself. With my very basic, terrible insurance it's FREE I don't pay a dime for it which is just yet another amazing perk I have before and after pics that are incredible, but it won't let me post them, so if you want to see e-mail me at [Redacted] and I'd be more than happy to share. I want other people to be able to find their solution too.
August 25, 2018
Wow! reading your experience really cheered me up ...I'm six weeks in now taking 100mg a day of Spiro and I have been breaking out in these cystic nodules and whole heads in a U pattern around my chin and up both cheeks...I really do hope that this is just things getting worse before getting better...what did you use to cleanse and moisturize while going through your first months of therapy...thank you for sharing!
May 30, 2018
Getting tired of the side effects
I've been taking Spironlactone since January, I started with 50 mg for 2 weeks and then increased to 100 mg. I don't recall having side effects with 50 mg, but I did immediately when I increased my dose. I dropped back down to 50 mg for another 2 weeks due to severe breast pain, arrhythmia, and a very heavy cycle that also started almost 2 weeks early. I've been on 100 mg since mid February. I like my results so far. I noticed a big difference by Mid April. I still break out but they are small and go away quicker. The problem is that I have dizziness and headaches almost everyday. I am way more fatigued than usual. My breast pain comes and goes...usually worst around my cycle. My cycle has started consistently early every month since increasing to 100 mg and its a heavier flow as well. I cramp and have back pain also which is not something I usually experience. I might cramp every 3-4 periods but not every single one. Sometimes my heart feels like it flips and flutters in my chest. I've continued taking the medication as prescribed, convincing myself that its stress or anxiety. But I really feel that its the spironolactone because that's when I began experiencing these symptoms. I don't like that I can't take NSAIDs or magnesium with this medication either. Is anyone else experiencing these side effects? Does it get better with time? I'm giving it 4 starts because it absolutely works, but I took a star off for side effects.
August 26, 2018
Did the fatigue and headaches eventually go away? I have been on 50 mg a day and those are my symptoms. I’m hoping I get used to this!
May 17, 2018
Did Not Work
This product did not work for me, and I was on it for roughly 4+ months. I have moderate acne and oily skin.
May 31, 2018
It's for serious, cystic, hormonal acne not moderate so maybe that's why? If you have moderate do you try benzoil p at all?
How’s your skin doing now?