Acne.org Products
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
June 6, 2009
Cons:
One big breakout a week in. For the first 2 weeks, it was hard to sleep and I had to go to the bathroom a lot. Now, I get pretty tired about 2 hours after a pill. I also have noticed I feel like my body temperature is much warmer.
I don't have insurance but the Spiro is worth the $60/mo. I pay (I take 50 mg in the morning and another 50 at night). This works by reducing the aldosterone and testosterone in your body, so its usually prescribed for women only--but less testosterone means less oil, bigger breasts, mild weight loss--all were big plusses for me. It does take time to see results, but I've been struggling with acne so long (since I was 12 and I'm 30 now) and tried so many treatments (incl. Accutane), I was willing to wait. After a breakout one week in, my skin has improved a little bit each day; I'm getting lots of compliments now, and feel like I can just shower and go without having to take a lot of time to put on makeup. One caveat for me was that after 2 weeks, your doctor will want to check your potassium levels with a blood test (since Spiro is also used to lower blood pressure, potassium becomes really important)--I'm scared of needles, but it was worth it! Try it for at least a few months!
May 27, 2009
Pros:
It worked for me along with solodyn.
Cons:
I did feel dizzy alot with headaches. But I would take that over cystic acne.
It worked for me. My face is clearing up and no new breakouts. Now if I could only get rid of these deep scars I would be happy with my skin. Oh and it bugs me when people write a review after 2 days. I waited a few months before I wrote a review. You can't tell how it is in 2 days.
April 21, 2009
Pros:
less oil, smoother complexion
Cons:
fatigue, increased urination, light headedness when getting up too quick
I have tried pretty much everything but Accutane and haven't found anything that has worked as well as spironolactone. It was either the spiro or accutane and my derm suggested trying the spiro and if that didn't work then i might get accutane. I noticed within the first 2 weeks a decrease in my oil production. My hair is not as oily as well. I have been on it for about a month now and have only had one really bad pimple that I got about a week into my treatment. I would certainly recommend it for anyone that feels their acne is hormonal.
March 9, 2009
Pros:
I've been on this drug for three weeks now, increasing my dosage. I've lost ten pounds and kept it off. My acne goes away faster, and my skin is less oily. Breasts have gotten a little bigger.I have high hopes for this medication!
Cons:
Skin gets dry if you don't hydrate. Every time I've upped my dosage I break out a little and then it gets better. Urinate more often, muscle twitching has increased a little.
I have not been on this medication for long, but I do think it will improve my acne. The weight loss is great. I do have excess hair on my face but have not been on it long enough to see improved results for that. I do notice my acne increases on my face in unusual places I don't usually break out on when I increase my dosage but that goes away fairly fast. So far I'm excited and am hoping for great results! The benefits outweigh the risks/side effects so far.
March 6, 2009
Pros:
Targets the underlying hormonal etiology of acne & it's not costly.
Cons:
The first few days I experienced some bladdar discomfort, but I always have always consumed a lot of water, so the frequent bathroom trips is normal for me.
I have been on Spiro for only 2 weeks; the dosage is 50 mg twice a day. I have not noticed any significant improvement as of yet, but I am patient and will give it time. I have noticed that my skin and hair are less oily. The number of new pimples has increased since taking Spiro, but the pimples start to dry up right away. I also have some painful nodules under the skin, but they seem to be drying up as well. I am also on the generic form of Yasmin - Ocella. I am hoping the combination will be effective.
February 19, 2009
Pros:
Cleared Acne, dried out skin.
Cons:
Dizziness, fatigue, dehydration
I started breaking out a little bit after I graduated highschool. I broke out super super bad. I went on everything in the book every antibiotic you can think of, took acutane twice, got laser treatments, went on birth control, nothing seemed to cure my acne. Everynight I would look in the mirror and hate what I saw. I never felt good about myself. People don't lose hope, because spiro has changed my life! The Dr's never thought it was hormonal acne, but when they finally decided it could be and put me on spiro it has changed my life. I started about 4 months ago, I saw some clearing at first, but did not see a significant change until the past month. Everyone has complimented my skin and I feel like a new person. I can actually look in the mirror without makeup on and feel good about myself. Be patient this pill takes time. Don't expect instant results. You'll feel side effects at first but keep on using it and hopefully you'll see results too.
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.
October 28, 2008
Pros:
clears my face up completely, regrows hair
Cons:
severe dehydration, have to go to the bathroom all the time, sore breasts, have to watch diet, fatigue, muscle cramps (early on), sexual dysfunction, insomnia, hair will all fall out when you stop taking it
I've taken this on and off for acne for six years. Bottom line is that it will clear your face up. It may take four or five months at most, but it will work. Unfortunately, I hate the way I feel when I'm on it - just completly exhausted and lethargic. Every year or so, I lower my dose or quit taking it and am amazed at how great I feel. It's like a whole new lease on life. Then my skin starts getting oily again and all my hair starts falling out. By the time my scalp gets really visible, I lose my nerve and start taking it again. It takes several months for my hair to grow back, and the whole cycle starts again. I really hate feeling tied to this drug, but it has worked for my face and it regrew hair for me that I can't keep without it.
September 13, 2008
Pros:
It's actually working!!!! I've been on Spiro for 2 months and 1 week and it's really working! This is the 1st time in years I finally don't have a break out!
Cons:
In the beginning, I broke out worse than I ever had!! and I got very weepy around my period, which I think has to do with the hormones
I'm 36 and have had adult acne with cyst acne since I was 19. I've tried everything except accutane. I started out with Spiro 25mg 2x a day for the 1st month then the 2nd 50mg 2x's a day+ 100mg of Doxy 2x a day. My acne is always my cheeks and jaw line. I have tons of red marks from picking and I'm going to start Derma-abbrasion but I'm really happy and I just think it's going to keep getting better. IF you try it, get through the bad break out in the beginning, it takes like a good 6 or 7 weeks for the break outs to stop. I feel like my self-esteem is already getting better.
August 30, 2008
Pros:
No longer need to blot my face 10 times a day! 90% of my acne is gone at only three weeks.
Cons:
NONE!
I'm 29 and have had acne since 15... this is the first time I've seen results! I tried proactive... that was a joke! Now my makeup stays in place all day. I no longer need to blot my face 10 times a day and my pores are tiny. AMAZING. It took a week to titrate my dose so that my BP wouldn't drop too low. I take 50mg twice a day. It's only been three weeks and people are already telling my how good my skin looks! LOVE THIS STUFF!
Pros:
Hang in there--everyone's hormones are different. I havent had a cyst since the 3rd week, and my blackheads are gradually disappearing (I am in my 8th week). I also feel like I need to shave my legs and pluck my eyebrows a lot less.