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
July 30, 2008
Cons:
Initially, it takes a while to work (2-3 months to see full results). Also, it is a maintenance drug and you’ll need to be on it consistently until your body’s hormones change, which could be through menopause.
I had moderate acne as a teen that got more severe the older I got (I'm 24 now). I tried everything under the sun, from topicals (retin A, differin, clindymycin, benzoyl peroxide) to antibiotics (doxycycline, tetracycline, clindymycin) on top of TWO bouts of accutane, all with little or no results. I switched dermatologists several times and never accepted that there was nothing to be done, thank god, because my current derm. suggested my 'last hope': spironolactone. I have been on it for 3 years now and couldn't be more happy about the results. Aside from the occasional pimple, I have no traces of acne whatsoever. I had some irregular periods now again, so I went on a light birth control pill and all is well. I can't recommend this highly enough ' especially for those who have 'tried everything'. Give it a shot.
July 9, 2008
Pros:
Cost, ease of use, minimal side effects
Cons:
pills must be taken daily, in my case twice a day which can be difficult to adjust to. also is a diuretic so you must drink a ton of water daily.
I think it is important to mention the reason why most people are prescribed aldactone/spironolactone, which is due to the overproduction of aldosterone (male testosterone hormone) in females, and causes a variety of symptoms including oily skin, acne, and weight gain. The reason it is only for women is because it blocks the aldosterone production, which in men would lead to feminization. Most women who are on this medication also have PCOS. It would not be effective or recommended for someone who has non-hormone based acne problems. I also never had acne in my teens, only in my early 20's to now at 30. I have been on spironolactone for about 3 weeks now and just a few days ago I noticed my skin was starting to become less oily and today I have not had to use any oil blotting sheets yet. My acne is starting to clear, although I am getting a few larger and more severe zits than I did before. It definitely worked for me, and I am so happy to have the possibility of clear ski
July 1, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up cystic rosacea/acne; skin much less oily.
Cons:
One or two trips to bathroom at night. Have tested at high-end-of-normal potassium level.
This stuff is incredible!!! I'm a 57 year-old female (and you thought 46 was pathethic...hah!). I've been on every topical and oral med for zits since early teens. I recently developed cystic rosacea, of all things. It's a little different from regular cystic acne -- but I was walking around with a face full of cysts that would burst open on their own thoughout the day, and run down my face. (These cannot be "coaxed out" like regular acne.) It was so horrible that I left the house only for MD appointments. People thought I had some hideous, contageous disease. My derm gave me this because monocycline was turning my skin grey (geez!). This is so much better than I ever dreamed, since I wasn't expecting the reduction of oilyness as well. Now, with a little loose powder on my lower face to cover residual discoloration from the cysts, I look like a normal person. Wow!!! I never thought I'd live to see it.
June 26, 2008
Pros:
Love it, have used it for about 2 years on and off. You have to stay consistent, just upped my does to 200mg and its better already-I have ADULT cystic acne....related to hormones I am told...it minimizes any skin irritations
Cons:
just worry about long term side effects if any....had my potassium checked once....have to keep up with regular blood tests!
Use it, it works, it makes you feel confident!
June 9, 2008
Pros:
Elimination of oily skin and scalp, water weight loss, reduction of nightly leg/calf cramps
I am a 31 yr old female that has dealtith acne along my jaw and occasional cystic acne on my cheeks and forehead. By the 2nd day of my 100 mg dose I woke up to find my skin wasn't oily! 3 weeks in, my skin is completly clear, just working to get rid of the exsisting stubborn blackheads on my nose. Also lost 4 lbs likely due to water loss and decreased appetite as I believe it has helped to restore normal potassium serum levels. I also no longer experience painful calf cramps at night, which again can be contributed to normal potassium levels.
February 9, 2008
Pros:
Really does the trick
Cons:
Frequent urination, takes 3 months to start working and during that time acne gets worse
I am in love with this product, my skin hasn't looked this good even since I was a kid. I have had acne since I was 10 and have been through it all. When I turned 16 I went on Yasmin to control my acne. That did wonders for my face, but nothing for my back. After a year I had to go off Yasmin after a series of bad head aches and other problems that come with the pill. I went back to trying to balance other medications which were fine, but I would still have minor break outs from time to time. My derm finally told me to try Spironolactone after four more years of frustration.
The first three months were horrible, my acne got much worse. I was about to give up when one morning I woke up and the acne was much better. For another 2 months I had a little patch of small red spots on my chin but they faded.
It has been 7 months now and my skin looks amazing. I don't even bother with makeup anymore! This is the first product I have used that has cleared my back up. The best thing a
February 9, 2008
Pros:
Inexpensive, not many side effects, actually effectively cleared up my skin.
Cons:
I'm a little bit wary of having to take this long term in order to keep my skin clear.
I had moderate acne when I was a teenager and tried tetracycline, topical medications and even accutane. My skin was never "perfect" even after accutane. Within the past year I went back to the dermatologist and tried topicals, changing birth control, and antibiotics. Nothing helped, and I just would up with not just broken out skin, but dry flaky skin on top of it. It was a nightmare; I was starting to feel depressed and didn't even want to go out because of my skin. Out of desperation I went back on Yasmin as that was the only thing that really cleared up my skin, but it made me a little bit emotionally crazy and I couldn't stand it. FINALLY the dermatologist prescribed Spiro! I've been taking it for about a month and my skin has cleared up tremendously! I'm to the point where I'm not just thinking "ok, my skin is improving and clearing up," but I think "wow, my skin looks GOOD!" I still have a few blemishes, but with a little concealer, my skin looks pretty darn close to perfect.
January 17, 2008
Pros:
Clear skin, not oily anymore, self confidence restored
Cons:
Weakness, fatigue, got to drink lots of water and I was previously a DIET COKE addict.
This medicine works wonderfully!!! I have purchased all kinds of expensive over the counter products over the years and nothing gave me significant improvement. I have been taking Spironolactone for 6 weeks now, 50mg/ day for the 3o days, then 100mg/day. The first couple of weeks were rough. My acne seemed to be getting worse, but in reality it was bringing everything to the surface at once and clearing up from the inside out. I have experienced a good bit of fatigue and muscle weakness, but this is getting better. I am so glad I took that trip to the dermatologists office. For those who are not there yet, keep the faith, you will get there.
January 4, 2008
Pros:
Cleared up all cystic acne.
Cons:
Caused horrible IB (not cysts, pretty small stuff), although not sure if this was due to retin-A.
I am also using retin-A at night and tetracycline twice daily (my spiro dose is 100 mg). This is the beginning of my fourth month on this regimen, and I finally have clear skin. I am still dealing with red marks from the bad IB (which was all over my face, on parts that I had never broken out before), but I know these will fade in time. I can honestly say that the day I started using this product was the day that my cysts stopped.
November 27, 2007
Pros:
Spironolactone works great. I have tried everything and finally had a dermatologist in oxford MS that prescribed it to me. I am 41 and have had nothing but clear skin for over a year. The texture of my skin improved as well.
Spironlactone works. Dermatologists don't always prescribe it because they know it works and they don't want to lose potential business of your coming back month after month for oral antibiotics, etc. Go to a nurse practicioner or gp and you will be able to get this drug prescribed to you.
Pros:
Works well, consistent (as long as you are in taking it), smoother skin, less oil