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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May 20, 2009

Pros:

Easy to take, no upset stomach, no side effects, works great!

Cons:

None

I am 30 years old and have fought the acne battle since I was 12. I have used everything from Retin-A to antibiotics and while some things worked for awhile, they were all battling what was there, not keeping the blemishes from ever appearing. I knew I had hormonal breakouts b/c I was previously on Ortho Tri-Cylen and that was the only time my skin was clear. I don't want take the pill, however, so my derm. recommended Sprionolactone and it has worked since day one, with no side effects.
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May 11, 2009

Pros:

It works and, for me, it worked pretty fast

Cons:

You have to pee a lot while taking it, and you can get dehydrated pretty easily - but not really that big of a deal if you drink plenty of water.

If you have acne, along with unwanted facial hair growth, this definitely helps clear up your face. It's almost unbelievable. I still get some pimples around my face and in certain areas, but compared to how my face usually would breakout, it doesn't even phase me. This is so effective if your acne is hormonally-charged. I'm really thankful for it!
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May 9, 2009

Pros:

This is BY FAR the BEST BEST BEST!!! I'm soooo happy with this medicine

Cons:

Well, in the beginning, you break out twice as bad, BUT stick with it. What helped me, was reading these message boards. You can get dizzy. Like when you 1st wake up or when I'm working out, if I'm really pushing it, I'll feel it

I'm 37, had adult acne that started about age 19. I had cyst soooo bad that they hurt, constant break outs, black heads, pimples, always bumpy skin. Started with 25mg 2x a day, then and now 50mg 2x a day (been on meds for almost a year) and I have so much more confidence! I love when I wash my face, (which I use the wash from this site and most.), I don't feel all the bumps on my face. People are always complementing me now. It truely is a miracle drug. It takes about 2 to 3 months though to start seeing the change so just hang in there and know you're not alone!
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May 9, 2009

Pros:

Give it some time but it does work. I've had no cystic acne since using it.

Cons:

Make spike potassium levels
Can interfere with effectiveness of antidepressants
Be sure to drink plenty of liquids

I'm almost 40 and have dealt with acne since the age of 10. The last 5 years have the been the worst because I developed cystic acne. After trying different cremes, antibiotics, and cortisone shots; nothing would prevent cysts from developing. I was told to try this as my acne is "systemic." I was skeptical to try it because of the potential side effects but I am glad that I did. I still get small pimples but they are easy to deal with. I have not had a cyst since using this medicine and the side effects are not bad.
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April 30, 2009

Pros:

It works! It's as easy at taking two 50mg. tablets a day--no special washes, creams, etc.

Cons:

You'll be fatigued for the first couple of months. You may even feel nauseous at times--but hang in there

I have suffered with mild-moderate acne since I was 27 years old (I'm 31 now). I made the huge mistake of trying Retin-A Micro last year which caused a huge amount of acne to surface over a six month period--it never stopped so I quit taking it, but the breakouts continued. Anyhow, I begged my doctor to test my hormones and found that my DHEA was four times the normal level. My doctor finally believed that the acne was hormonal (what acne isn't hormonal?!) and prescribed Sprio in July '08 and referred me to an endocrinologist who confirmed that I had PCOS. By November of '08 I had consistantly clear skin, though I had gradual improvement throughout those five months. I love Spiro and am so glad I persisted with my doctor to test my hormones. I highly encourage you ladies out there to have your hormones tested to see if this is the cause of your acne!
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April 29, 2009

Pros:

Its great. I've acne since a teenager. I can't say that I have tried different things for it. I do use professional products for my face and get facials often, but it seems like this medicine is the only thing that made my acne disappear.

Cons:

The only thing that i dont like is that i have to take the pill daily.

LOVED it!
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April 22, 2009

Pros:

Clears up acne in months!

Cons:

it's a diuretic or water pill

Listen up folks! You want to hear a fairy tale ending? Here it goes. Started in August 08 - went through an adjustment period. Virtually clear by October. Want to talk perfect skin? No pimples today, glowing, clear rosy beautiful skin by April. Want to know more secrets? Drink water, exercise, Retin-A micro sparingly, Glycolic face wash 2x a day, Duac on problem areas. Double up on your medication a week before your period and during. Good luck and hit me up for any questions.
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April 19, 2009

Pros:

cleared up my hormonal acne when nothing else would work

Cons:

can't be used during pregnancy or breast feeding; decreased libido; decreased energy

After going to several dermatologists over the years and trying many different medications that didn't help with my painful acne, I tried a new dermatologist and they recommended spironolactone. It took about 3 months to start seeing consistent results but it has completely cleared up my acne and has been working great for over a year now. Unfortunately the medication cannot be taken during pregnancy or breast feeding. Also, I have noticed decreased libido and energy, which I didn't attribute to the medication until recently when my obgyn mentioned that the hormonal effects of the medication could cause these side effects. Has anyone else noticed these side effects?
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April 18, 2009

Pros:

Clears acne beautifully, inexpensive, few side effects.

Cons:

Fatigue and dizziness associated with lowering of blood pressure, only works while taking the pills.

I am 22 and have struggled with moderate/severe acne since 12 years old. I took a course of Accutane which permanently cleared my back acne, but it returned on my face. A second course of accutane cleared me for a while, but again the acne returned. After trying everything I turned to hormonal treatment at 19. I started Yasmin 28 (different from Yaz!) and after six months my acne was reduced about 60%. It regulated my breakouts to the point where I would be perfectly clear for the first two weeks of the pack and break out moderately for the week of PMS and the week of my period. Seeing such a strong hormonal link, I asked my derm for spironolactone and he prescribed 100mg a day (50mg taken twice a day). It took two months to fully kick in, but I made it through my last period with 100% clarity. This combination (both yasmin and spiro) has been my miracle. Please don't give up...if you're at the end of your rope give this regimen a try. Hormones are often the culprit!
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April 18, 2009

Pros:

99.9% Clear skin after 3 months, Much less oil Production, Boobs bigger?

Cons:

May screw up your periods. Did take roughly two months to clear everything up--patience is a virtue.

I was taking 100 mgs daily with Yasmin, I saw remarkable results in just 2 months. I had no initial breakout. I am 29 years old and in the last three years was stricken with moderate acne. I had acne as a teen and was on accutane twice (16 and 20), along with a laundry list of everything else my Derm would prescribe me. My acne cleared and did not come back till I was almost 27. I tried everything short of accutane this time (my Derm would not give Accutane, this was a different Derm from my teen years). Expensive facials, blue light therapy, Murad, Obagi, Proactive, all the Antibiotics know to man...also the rx topicals. Nothing was even touching the acne..it was beyond frustrating. I would sit in my derm's office and cry and he never once mentioned spiro. I stumbled across this site and asked him for it and he said that he has not prescribed it for 20 years and it does not work. I went to my OBGYN and asked for it, she gave it to me finally. It has been my miracle drug!
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