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 13, 2011

Pros:

Clears acne! Cheap.

Cons:

muscle weakness, stomach bloating, dizziness

I am 46 years old and have struggled with acne since my teens. I have been on accutane, which was great for about 2 years. I have used it all: prescription and OTC. I have been taking oral antibiotics for years. My new dermatologist put me on spiro 50mg a day. I had initial break out for about 3 weeks. At 2 months my face is clear! It looks great! My problem is the side effects. I have gained 15 lbs since starting spiro. (I know you are suppose to lose) My stomach is swollen. I have seen the doctor, ultrasounds, etc. and there isn't a problem. I have muscle weakness and often dizziness if I don't drink enough water. I quit taking spiro and within 3 days my face starting breaking out so I'm back on it. I love the clear skin but not sure how much more weight I will gain. Don't see weight gain in side effects but I am convinced it is spiro. Overall I would recommend spiro but watch those side effects.
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May 12, 2011

Pros:

It works!! Everybody is different but if you have hormonal acne I definately think you should give spiro a try. No more cysts, it helps control oil, and when and if you do get a a breakout it goes away quickly.

Cons:

You have to drink more water to stay hydrated. Which causes you to have to go to the bathroom more. It also can give you dry skin so you want to make sure you moisterize.

Spiro is an anti androgen so if your acne is hormonal this could possibly work for you. I love it!! The pros outweighed the cons for me. I go weeks without getting a breakout, I feel pretty again, I got my confindence back. It is amazing!! I have been on spiro and yaz combination for 5 months. I use dove soap to wash my face and a soy moisterizer and if I get anything I use sulfer as a spot treatment. I didn't see a dramatic improvement right away. It did take a few months but the results are worth waiting for.
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May 11, 2011

Pros:

Too soon to tell

Cons:

Frequent urination, fatigue, muscle weakness

I *think* this may be clearing up my VERY oily skin and acne, but my main concern is my libido. I almost got divorced over my complete loss of all sexuality about 8 years ago, and finding a doc who would listen to me and allow me to take testosterone supplementation saved my marriage. I'm worried that now the Spironolactone will counteract that. My derm told me it only blocks the receptors in the facial area, but it seems that if the side effects are systemic the blocking would be too. Have anyone of you experienced a drop in libido or sexual dysfunction on this? I've only been on it a week, but I'm so afraid I'll have to trade clear skin for staying married... :(
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May 7, 2011

Pros:

Nearly no more acne
Suspect my singing voice is better...???!!!

Cons:

Drink a lot
Not knowing long term side effects
Danger of fetal damage if you get pregnant

Was about to spend MORE $$$ on gimmick products that I just knew would not work so am thrilled to have found this. Not even the pill worked as well as this and the pill makes me fat and stuffs me around too much (apart from the fact that it is an abortifacient - see studies on ectopic preg against the pill) Am in that category of woman who has had acne all her life, but after 30 it started getting WORSE (also after the birth of child no. 2). Just got totally fed up when I started getting them on my EARLOBES, let alone everywhere else on my face. Went on this after finding these reviews and seeing woman in my exact situation having success. Am on 75mg (3 tablets) a day. 2 does not work for me. Still get about 2 little ones a day but don't care and would rather not go up to 100mg if I don't have to. Went through the typical 4 months or so before it really started to work. Have now been on it 8 months and am in love. I can run my hands over my skin and it feels soft and smooth. Next step was I had ILP Photorejuvenation which hurts like hell but took about 10 years off my face by removing acne scarring and pigmentation that got really bad after taking spiro (but also after birth of 2nd child so not sure which caused it). Now a light dusting of mineral powder and eyeliner and I feel like I could do a photo shoot.
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May 6, 2011

Pros:

-Much less oil production on face
-Hair and scalp aren't greasy!
-After 2 months, no breakouts (BIG +!)
-No cysts, none at all
-Helps with water retention and bloating
-Did I say no breakouts? :)
-I ran out of space on the "Cons", but just FYI, if you drink alcohol while on this med, please drink LOTS of water... otherwise you'll get a killer hangover because of its diuretic effects and potential for dehydration!

Cons:

-I had an initial breakout... it lasted about 1 and a half months
-At first, liquids would go straight through me all of the time (this is a diuretic)
-Can get dizzy if stand up too quickly
-Made me fatigued first 2 months (but is probably from dehydration and not necessarily the Spiro... be sure to drink water!)
-Though you don't get full fledged "breakouts", you might get a tiny spot once or twice a month... no big deal... just FYI

Let me begin by saying I joined this website solely to review this medicine and to offer my humble opinion on it... I really hope this helps someone out. After turning 22, I started getting persistent cystic acne primarily on my chin, jawline, and neck. I would get 2 new pimples about everyday, and I would dread getting up in the morning and seeing what surfaced over night. After reading reviews on this product, I decided to take action and ask for a prescription. About the 1st month in, I was still breaking out... I was on 50 mg a day. I asked to be bumped up to 100 mg, and about 2 weeks after doing so, I saw results. I have been on this pill since late Feb 2011 and now get only 1 or 2 pimples a MONTH, around "that time of the month". It does take a little over 2 months to see results, & I did get impatient and fed-up with the initial breakout that lastes about 4-5 weeks. The IB I had caused small bumps in areas of my face I never got before... I still got a few cysts but they were smaller and went away more quickly. But after 2 months and after increasing my dose to 100mg, the results were nothing short of amazing. Before Spiro, I would have to wash my hair at the VERY least once a day, and I would always carry concealer in my pocket to cover up the newest zit of the day. Now, I am almost oil free on my face and scalp and I have not had any breakouts or cysts on my face, especially not on my chin and jawline. If you are female, your skin is resistant to topicals and antibiotics, and you break out especially in "cycles", please give this a try. It takes at LEAST 2 months to see effects, so please be patient. I am a very, very impatient person, but if I stuck it out, I have confidence you can too :) I am taking it with Ortho-Tri Cyclen and I got on Bactrim to help with the IB. It's best to take w/ a BCP because it can cause irregular periods. Also, drink lots of water, have patience, & think good thoughts. This stuff works! Good luck to you all. Thanks for read
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May 3, 2011

Pros:

-Clear skin
-Less oil
-Decrease hair
-Lose water weight

Cons:

-Initial Breakout
-Dizziness
-Mild Cramping from dehydration

I have recently suffered from a huge hormonal change. Excess hair and acne began to progress. I tried many different topicals and minocycline. I went to several doctors, hormone results were normal and PCOS came back negative. I got laser treatments done on the hair and photo facials on the acne and nothing seemed to help. The hair just kept coming back. My acne began to worsen..cystic acne on my chin, jawline, and cheeks. Everyday was a new breakout. My Dr. put me on Lo-estrin 24 Fe to help regulate my periods and 2 weeks later I asked to prescribe spironolactone. He started at 25mg, and hardly saw results. Then I bumped up to 50mg once per day and it slightly got better. Finally after 2 months I asked to increase. I've been on 50mg twice a day. After just 2 weeks my acne has almost completely gone away, and the hair is growing in much slower. I did get an initial breakout after each dosage increase but you just have to stick it out. The only side effects for me is dizziness when you get up to fast, and cramping in my legs if I'm dehydrated. This medicine is amazing and life changing. I didn't think my face would ever clear. Just give it time.
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April 28, 2011

Pros:

-It works or at least helps your acne.
Week 1- 25
Week 2- 50
Week3- 75
If you need more then go to 100 after 4-8 weeks.

-Add 25mg week before period.

-Ask you doctor for at least 50mg and custom cut your pills.

I wanted to add. That if you don't have any medical problems with it, but it is still not working well then may I suggest watching your habits. -change pillowcases once a week -wash face 2x a day and after cooking -clean glasses -don't touch your face, especially when eating oily foods or cooking -wash hands/nails before touching face to apply make-up -keep hair oil free, especially at night I know! Lots of work! Just trying to increase your chances with this wonderful medicine.
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April 27, 2011

Pros:

- CLEARS SKIN

Cons:

- possible side effects (I didn't experience any)
- the first week you start taking it you have to pee every 5 minutes.. (but that makes you lose water weight so it could be a pro...)

I'm 20 years old and I have been struggling with acne for about 10 years. Up until a few months ago (when I began taking spironolactone), I would have to wear about a pound of foundation and cover up just to be able to go out in public without being humiliated. I had tried literally every face wash over the counter, antibiotics, differin, epiduo, but nothing would work for me at all. Then I went on this website and saw the high reviews for spironolactone, so I asked my derm to start me on it. I started taking 50mg a day and did experience an initial break out about 2 days into it, but they disappeared shortly after. Then after about two months moved up to 75mg a day, which is where I am right now. The day I started taking this medicine I counted 30 zits and 1 cyst on my face. Today I have beautiful smooth skin and no pimples or even blackheads. Oh yeah and I began taking birth control (Ortho tri cyclen) at the same time that I started the Spironolactone. I definitely recommend for any female to try this. Don't give up, your acne will be clear one day:)
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April 26, 2011

Pros:

-reduces cysts in number & depth
-doesn't interfere w/diet

Cons:

-some side effects aren't listed on label but still will occur
-infrequent (or more frequent) periods
-each time dosage changes, it takes 2 months to adjust & work again

I've used this for 7 mos, along w/another pill & 2 topical treatments. It's pretty effective for cyst pimples. For me, it stopped them from appearing in 2 out of 3 areas on my face. However, I also experienced side effects that weren't on the label...like dry scalp & enlarged pecs, because it made me wonder what else could happen. But these were both temporary & started when the doc increased my dosage to 4/day. This dosage also resulted in frequent periods...I had my period every 8-12 days for 3 months. At this point, I'm going off spiro to regulate my periods & because a lower dosage won't be effective for me.
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April 26, 2011

Pros:

Clear skin
Reduced oil production

Cons:

Menstrual irregularities
Mild dizziness at first

My dermatologist prescribed spironolactone a little over a year ago, along with clindamycin, Acanya, and Differin. I went off the clindamycin without problem. I can skip the Acanya and Differin without a huge breakout. But I CAN'T skip the spironolactone! This small, minty, wonderful pill has done a fantastic job clearing my skin and reducing oil production. The key is to be consistent and patient. You won't see results overnight! I started at 100 mg, but my dermatologist reduced my dosage to 50 mg in hope my period would stop coming every 15-20 days. The lower dose still keeps my skin clear, and my periods are a little bit more regular. They still aren't nearly as regular as they were before spironolactone, but I feel it's a small price to pay for clear, smooth skin.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website