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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April 24, 2008

Pros:

clearer skin, oil reduction

Cons:

breast tenderness and slight headaches.

I can't stop looking in the mirror. Ive been on 50 mg of spiro for about 3 weeks. I'm a 40 year old female and have been suffering with hormonal acne for aboout 6 yrs. I had a Partial Hysterectomy about 6 yrs ago and had to discontinue using birth control which appeared to managing my acne at the time. Soon after my surgery the anguish of horrible outbreaks and cystic scaring begin to rule my life. Ladies.. I don't want to get too excited about this drug!!!! but it appears I may have found the HEALER to low self esteem and low self worth. I'm hanging in there for the long haul and expecting to one day meet my future husband with my new look and confidence.
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April 13, 2008

Pros:

My skin is finally clear!

Cons:

none!

This is an amazing product. For the first time in 25 years, I am acne free! My skin is clear, and it feels smooth. My doctor initially prescribed it to clear my excessive hirsutism(hairiness) It has significantly reduced that which I am happy about, but the best thing is to be acne free! I turned 40 in December, and I have suffered from acne since I was 13. The only other product to have shown some improvement was Accutane which I took at 20, but that seemed to be short term. Other than that, I have always had the acne. I have also always felt dependent upon my makeup to cover embarassing break outs. Now I can go out with only mascara, and not worry. Spironolactone had been a lifesaver for me.
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April 13, 2008

Pros:

oil production

Cons:

tired

I have been ruled by my acne for too long and decided to find a doctor that would truely help me. I get so embarassed about my acne that I physically do not leave the house, I have called in sick, skipped school, and I do not make plans because I never knoe if I will have a breakout. I finally found a doctor that would prescribe me spiro and I am hoping that it works as well as other have said. I have great skin other than my chin, where I get horrible cystic acne as well as anything else my face wants to through at me. I have only been on Spiro for 9 days but I have already noticed a difference in my oil production, which is much less. I have not had a hoorible intiial breakout, but had many spots pop up. When these popped up they actually hurt and itched, the next day they were healing and did not hurt anymore. I pray that this medicine works, I do not want to try Accutane, my last resort.
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April 8, 2008

Pros:

Godsend for my cystic acne, my skin is 90% cleared up after 4 months

Cons:

may cause dizziness

After my acne graduated to cystic acne thanks to stress... I was at my wits end, finally my dermatologist recommended going to an endocrinologist... she made my life hell but gave me a prescription after 5 weeks... within 24 hours, i saw a huge difference in my face, and within 24, it was a 100% difference i started off with 25mg once a day for two weeks, then graduated to 25mg twice a day for two weeks, then 50mg twice a day... since then, i've come back down to 25mg per day.. thats it... but it was a GODSEND!
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April 8, 2008

Pros:

Completely cleared up my acne, when I had given up hope!!

Cons:

Mild headaches, occasional dizziness, extra b-room trip at night.

I have been taking 50mg/twice day for 6 going on 7 months. I have also been using Benzaclin 2 times/day for the same period. Also taking lo-ovral BC. I wash face twice/day with Aveeno face wash (non-frag/non-salicylic acid). I have used EVERYTHING (antibiotics, retin-a micro (all strenghts) differin, duac, you name it, I've tried it. Been suffering for 6 years (beginning at age 18) from moderate-severe cystic acne. By the end of 1st month noticed huge changes. Much smoother skin, much less oily. Was initially using BP 10% on back, but after 2 months no longer needed it! Completely clear on my back still! Month 5 I began to notice HUGE changes in my face. I would NEVER have left the house without painstakingly covering all my acne before. I now go out in public regularly with NO makeup!! This is my 6th month, and even during the bad week before my period, I didn't have a SINGLE breakout! Try it, it will change your life!
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April 6, 2008

Pros:

Reduced oil production, seldom break out anymore and if so it heals up in a couple days. Now using less topicals due to less oil. Getting dried up. Slower growing body hair too. Lovin' my spiro. I use 200 mg. daily. Men may want to try 100 mg. daily.

Cons:

None, none, none!

You've spent too much time with ineffective topicals and antibiotics. If you can't find a dermatologist to prescribe spiro then it's time to seek out an endocrinologist. Not all endos require a referral. Also, if one won't prescribe it, KEEP GOING til you find one that does. Androgen hyper-sensitivity is a real condition and should be treated with an appropriate medication. It's your life, it's worth the fight! I really love this stuff. After three months usage, my skin is quite dry and I don't worry about breaking out. I'm just healing up from past damage. I don't think there is an initial breakout. It does NOT work like Retin A or Accutane, nor is it a hormone like birth control. It is a HORMONE BLOCKER. My Dr. says it may cause a rash in a few, but not breakouts. If people have experienced a breakout when they started up, it's most likely coincidence. My endo. said it takes 3-6 months for good results and 1 year for full results. It gradually reaches it's full blocking potential.
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April 4, 2008

Pros:

Given enough time (6-7 months), my body adjusted well to this medicine and has eliminated my cystic acne of 9 years.

Cons:

Initial side-effects can be intimidiating - thirst, frequent urination, irregular cycles. I found most were temporary.

Here's my story: Month 1: Gradually increased from 50 to 100 mg/day over 2 weeks and experienced the side effects and noticed ONLY that my face was less shiny, no noticeable decrease in acne. Checked potassium levels, no significant increase. Months 2-3: Increased from 100 to 200mg/day - lips seemed dry and cheeks got quite dry and I was thirsty often. Side effects diminished after one week. Scalp became far less oily (no need to wash it every day - hooray! - and shedding seemed decreased) acne greatly diminished on face EXCEPT for chin, neck and jawline, where is was almost worse. Had two periods within 1 month. Months 4-5: Side effects diminish, except no period for over 2 months and mild constipation. Acne on neck and jawline virtually gone, but still persistent acne on chin in very small amounts (basically 1 or 2 at a time) Months 6-7: Periods still irregular; taking fiber for regularity, otherwise minimal side-effects. Have had NO ACNE for about a month. Pota
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April 3, 2008

Pros:

Works great for my skin.

Cons:

Mild thirst in mornings.

After reading all these reviews I was terrified that this medication would make me react horribly. But surprisingly, I have had no side effects, I don't even urinate more than I usually do! I have tried everything from clean and clear all the way up to antibiotics both topical and internal. I have used Differen, Clindigel, and Glycogen but nothing has worked quite as well as spiro has for me. Normally I will break out really bad right before my period but this time around, only one little zit came up that disappeared in a day or so. I have felt several little cystic ones attempt to come up since but none have become that nasty painful bump on the surface, they just disappear! I would definitely recommend this product to anyone looking for a milder solution than accutain as i was. It works very well. Good luck everyone. I hope this helps. And sorry i do not know how much it costs because my mom paid for it for me.
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April 2, 2008

Pros:

At 40 some years old, my face feels like it was when I was a child--smooth and nice. I have scars, though. I have had problems since age 13 and only now feel as if I have found the solution. Much less oil. No zits.

Cons:

Only a little bit of headache and dizziness the first two weeks, but none now after my body has adjusted. Stick with it. Drink lots of water, especially at first.

It is worth asking for. My dermatologist wanted me to try Accutane (I don't have bad acne, just extremely oily skin.) My teenage daugher is taking Accutane now and it is such a hassle with the HCG and other blood tests she has to go through each month. I asked him if he would prescribe spiro for me, and he said "sure." I can't believe it is working so well. Wish I had known about this years go. It would have saved me a lot of heartache and embarrassment.
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April 1, 2008

Pros:

Clears up acne faster and better than anything else I've tried!!!

Cons:

Haven't noticed any although I hear slight to moderate dehydration and dizziness are the common ones.

As with most everyone else that has posted, I tried everything (other than Accutane) prior to trying this medication. It has been just over a month and I am really starting to see a difference now! My doctor said she has never had the medication fail and the absolute longest it took for any patient to see results was ~6 months... she said average is ~3 months. Now to figure out what to do about the scarring...
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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.
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