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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clearmaster3

January 23, 2009

Pros:

no more cystic acne, less oil, glowing complexion

Cons:

terrible initial breakout

I posted about this medicine a few months ago, and I decided it's time to update. I started taking 100 mg in the morning in mid July, and I started taking Ortho-tri-Cyclen Lo at the same time. I noticed the effects of the birth control within the first month. My periods became so, so dependable and they weren't at all before. So that was great. The spiro didn't seem to make any difference until about a month and a half after I started. That's when the initial breakout began. This breakout lasted from late August through late November... so about 3 months of bad acne. It was alot of cysts that were mainly on my chin area, which is where hormonal breakouts usually are. Now it's been almost exactly 6 months and I'm clear! I went from having at least 5 pimples at all times to now having 1-2 per month. Every day is getting better, too! I'm THRILLED!! As far as side effects go, besides the initial breakout I had none at all. Period.

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Beth

January 19, 2009

Pros:

started working after only a couple of weeks for me!

Cons:

none so far

I never got a pimple in my life until I hit my 30th bday and it's been horrible. I have really great skin, just having a surge of hormones due to my age. I started getting the large cystic pimples (hate them), and tiny whiteheads everywhere (on my lower face, chin, jawline) - I tried EVERYTHING topical and nothing was working - Derm put me on Minocycline and in a few weeks I had skin as clear as the sky but hives everywhere - I was allergic! Talk about irony. Them he put me on Bactrim and after a couple months my acne was 'better' but not by much. I wasnt thrilled to be on an antibiotic all the time anyway. A couple weeks ago he took me off Bactrim and on Spironolactone. I take 50 mg 2 times a day. I was warned I might be dizzy, tired, etc because it is primarily used for people with high blood pressure, but I have experienced none of those symptoms or any others. My face is FINALLY CLEAR! I encourage anyone who has tried just about everything with no results to try this.

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LisaL

January 19, 2009

Pros:

Within a month, I was not breaking out regularly like I used to.

Cons:

None really. I take 50mg about three times every 2 days. Supposed to take 2/day. Seems to work fine at the dose I am taking. I get one or two smaller zits before my period...but that's about it.

Very happy with this solution. Been on it for 5 months now and don't plan to stop.

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Liam Young9

January 13, 2009

Pros:

Glowing, healthy, clear skin when taken with oral contraceptives.

Cons:

None for me.

My acne went away completely when I started taking Spironolactone 4-5 years ago. I take it with oral contraceptives since I have PCOS, and I find the combination works the best: one without the other doesn't work as well. I do find that the spironolactone gives my skin a healthy, glowing look which goes away if I miss some pills. People actually comment that I have skin like a peach, which I never, ever thought I'd hear. I've never noticed any side effects. I take 50 mg 2x a day. I tried Accutane several times along with several kinds of antibiotics and topical treatments before; this is the only thing that has worked for me.

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Carol

January 5, 2009

Pros:

This worked for my 17 year old daughter within two weeks of starting the prescription-25mg/day for the first 1/2 of the month then 50mg/day for the 15 days leading up to and through her period. Her face was 90% clear in two weeks. It was a miracle.

Cons:

The first couple of weeks she had to pee lots but says that it is not an issue now. She has been on it two months now. No other symptoms.

My daughter has tried all sorts of antibiotics, prescription washes,and topical creams since she was 14. Even being on Yaz( for ovarian cysts) didn't make any difference. Her acne just has been getting worse over the years. A cosmetic dermatologist we consulted about blue light laser treatments (which we deemed too expensive) gave her the spironolactone prescripition and said to give it a try. The other effect it had was to lessen the pain with her ovarian cysts that she gets most months with her period. Our family doctor says being on it long term can affect kidney function so that needs to be monitored. She just had her kidney and liver function checked last week and it came back normal but it need to be checked annually. I read about everyone having such good response on this website so wanted to post hers.

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January 5, 2009

Pros:

Only one pill a day.

Cons:

Nothing that I really know except long term use can cause cancer at times.

I'm a male, and my doctor prescribed me this medication. I'm only on 25mg a day, and it is supposed to regulate my testosterone production. It seems to work pretty well. I wasn't too bad before, but I've noticed that it's slowing down the frequency of my pimples. I find it odd that I only find it for women, but it seem to work for me. I've never heard of another man being on it, but my doctor says that he has had success with men on this medication in the past. If you're a man, I would say ask your doctor about it if antibiotics are not getting you the complete results that you want. It is less risky than accutane(spelling) and cheaper.

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Laura

January 3, 2009

Pros:

After 2 months skin is not breaking out with deep painful cysts. I've still had a few pimples but they are not as deep and do not hurt at all. My skin is starting to heal and I am much less oily.

Cons:

I've had some headaches and body aches and I'm tired all the time.

This has worked although my hormonal tests came back normal. I was convinced still that it is hormonal related since I had never had acne before this and they came at the same time of the month. I researched it on here and asked my gyne to prescribe it. I think my hormones fluctuate a great deal so it may not show up at certain times of the month in a blood test. Nonetheless, this has worked well for me. I was on Yaz and it helped for 9 mos. but then stopped working. I am willing to keep trying despite the aches and pains because it is working. My hope is any side effects will subside after time.

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Claire

January 2, 2009

Pros:

Skin less greasy, weight loss

Cons:

Slight dizziness

Firstly please ignore any comments from people who have only used this product for a couple of weeks and are claiming miracle results. It will take at least 3 months to start working and in the meantime you will more than likely get the most horrific breakout you have ever had. At about 3 months my skin became less greasy and my acne started to improve once I had increased my dose from 100mg to 200mg a day. I read that you needed to drink lots of water while taking this and this has contributed to my significant weight loss, which is a nice bonus. At about 6 months my skin was pretty good, but unfortunately every few weeks I still get a bad outbreak, so Spiro has not been the ultimate cure for me. The only major side effect I get is slight dizziness, which is annoying but tolerable. It's been 9 months now and I'm will keep on going with it. If you've tried everything you should definitely try this, it's always worth a shot and the side effects aren't bad.

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Natalie B.1

January 1, 2009

Pros:

After 3 months has cleared my acne completely. I am 48 years old and have had cystic acne since my teens. My skin has never looked this good. I did not get these results with Accutane or any other treatment and I've tried them all.

Cons:

I need 150 mg to maintain results; worried about long-term side effects of this dose. Also periods are more frequent ( but much lighter so not much of a problem for me )

If you suspect your acne is hormone based this is worth a shot. Do not expect instant results though - give it at least 2 months.

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Natalie Mitchell

December 27, 2008

Pros:

clears skin, easy to take, makes hair less oily, lost weight, worked after a month of taking.

Cons:

- can't drink more than one alcoholic drink with this or get very dehydrated
- I think it makes me slightly drowsy

I have tried everything including accutane, tetracycline, allesse, diane, blue light therapy, levulan, and in 10 years this is the only thing which has worked. I had a blood test before i took this drug. I would suggest getting a blood test to see if your androgen levels are high before taking this drug to ensure it will work. This drug treats the cause of acne rather than the symptoms which things like accutane don't do.

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