Spironolactone
Results
Side Effects

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.

 [more]
4.2
1217
5
52.1%
4
28.4%
3
9.8%
2
4.6%
1
5.1%

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
Number of Stars
Choose All That Apply
Clear All Filters
Done
December 3, 2007

Pros:

Very inexpensive, easy to use, no side effects for me, and excellent results after 4 months.

Cons:

It did take a long time to work. I experienced a pretty bad initial breakouts during the first 3 months. I took antibiotics during some of that time to ease the pain. Stopped antibiotics at the 4 month mark and have been clear ever since.

If you have tried everything else (as I have including 3 courses of Accutane over the past 20 years)and you are a "mature" woman still dealing with acne, try spiro. Just be patient and try not to get discouraged! For me it took a long time to work and my improvement did not happen in a linear fashion. But after 3-4 months, I could look back and easily recognize a vast overall improvement. Now I'm well into my 6th month and have not had any breakouts in two months.
This Was Helpful

12 user(s) found this helpful

Report
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.
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 16, 2007

Pros:

***** This Works Wonders********

Cons:

A little bit more tired.... Use the restroom a bit more.... but WORTH IT!

Hi... My name is Allison..I'm a 28 year old teacher who like everyone else has tried everything... all sorts of antibotics,topicals, over the past few years. My acne was never bad or out of control until I hit 27. It got so horrible that my doctor finally put me on accutane(Oct,2006). I was on a low dose for 5 months and cleared beautifully. It got so bad though the first few months I didnt want to go anywhere..not even to work. My doctor gave me spiro to take during the last month. I continued but not consistantly and stopped taking it all togther in July.October of this year 2007 my face got so oily and was getting really nasty again little bumps everywhere. I upped my dose of spiro 100 a day and have taken it everynight for the past 2 1/2 weeks.... my face is so clear..no oil... and my face looks awesome! I will never go off of this again. I am petite 5'6 and 110 pounds... 100 mg works for me! Plese stick to it even if it gets worse .. it is so worth......!!!!!
This Was Helpful

7 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 12, 2007

Pros:

Ive only been on this for a few days now but it has seemed to calm my skin down somewhat already. For instance, less inflamation.

Cons:

I couldn't really list any cons at this point. I've really just started it but I do feel somewhat tired, which i read some others experienced as well.

I really hope this is the answer to my specific problem which is occasional cysts. Ive never (knock on wood) really had all over acne. Just the occasional cyst that pops up usually close to (mainly before) my period. Since im so hypersensitive about my skin these really, really bother me. I was even considering going on accutane although my situation is not as desperate as most who go on accutane. Its just that nothing really seems to work for these deep and hard cysts. I really hope this is the answer and i will update all of you who are also concerned with your own cystic acne.
This Was Helpful

Report
November 12, 2007

Pros:

THIS IS THE ONLY ACNE MEDICATION THAT HAS EVER WORKED. MY SKIN HAS NEVER LOOKED THIS GOOD!!!

Cons:

took 3 months to really work well. Not easy to find a Dr. to prescribe it.

This medication transformed my skin. I didn't just get rid of my acne, I got BEAUTIFUL skin!!!
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 9, 2007

Pros:

IT ACTUALLY WORKS!! Its the most effective consistant treatment I have tried. AMAZING FOR CYSTIC ACNE!!!!

Cons:

none...unless you dont like to pee a lot

I had clear skin thru H.S. and collage then BAM! like a bat out of hell, my face just went crazy! I had the most painful cyst all over my face and unless I got them injected they wouldnt heal up for weeks! I tried every antibiotic you can think of, every cream, even steriods!! The only option I had left was accutane but I didnt want to go that harsh. I finally had a new dermatologist tell me about this and after about a month my face looks amazing!!! I still have a little scaring but other then that no new break outs!!! its amazing! Ill get a tiny break out around my period that last literally a day. I take 50mg 2x a day and I swear its a miricle. try it its awesome!!! No side effects other then having to pee. Just make sure you drink a lot of water!!!! I LOVE THIS DRUG!!!!!!!!!
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 6, 2007

Pros:

Effective and affordable

Cons:

None

I was on this for 6 months last year and my face cleared up great. I stopped taking it, and 4 months later I started breaking out again. I had regular, controllable acne until I had my daughter (in 1994). I've done a course of Accutane, which didn't clear me completely, and I don't intend to take it again, if at all possible. I've been back on the spiro for 8 weeks and my face is clear. I was also on Retin-A Micro when I started the spiro and I think that may have contributed to some of the acne I was continuing to get after I started back on the spiro. I stopped using the RAM last week, and it made a big, immediate difference. I don't know why I keep trying to use Retin-A. I've been unable to use it every since my course of Accutane (finished in 2002), but I keep trying. Anyway, I'd give the spiro a try. I'm 43 and don't intend to stop taking it. I've been suffering from acne for 31 yrs, severe acne for the last 13 yrs. My derm said it takes about 6 months to see the full benefits.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
November 4, 2007

Pros:

Works!! Like nothing else I ahve ever tried (and I've tried most of them).

Cons:

Made me a little dizzy or tired when first started or upping does. Goes away though.

Works. Simple and effective. I think though this is really best for hormonal adult acne. I am 37 and have battled acne all my life and have never found anything to make it go away. Retin-a micro worked for a time to lessen it but stopped working and never made it go away like this has.
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 29, 2007

Pros:

Inexpensive. Worth trying.

Cons:

Required blood checks to check potasium levels. Not all dermatologists will perscribe.

After tolerating acne from early teens into my 40's and having tried EVERYTHING except Acutane, I found spirno eliminated my constant oiliness and outbreaks. Switched derms and the new one will not perscirbe. I'm checking with my primary physican at my next check up and if she won't perscribe I'll go back to my previous derm. I was only taking 25mg everyother day. I'm pushing 47 and so fed up with the shine and zits on my face and back. Sprino worked for me.
This Was Helpful

9 user(s) found this helpful

Report
October 23, 2007

Pros:

It was the only thing that cleared up my skin. I tried everything all through my teens and early 20s. It also helped reduce some dark hairs in my upper lip and around my nipples. It helped prevent hair loss in my temples. The generic works fine.

Cons:

I feel as if I get real dried out sometimes and worry a bit about my potassium. I have low blood pressure naturally.

The cons aren't enough to make me stop taking it. I tried a couple of time to stop and my acne came roaring back. I also had some associated underarm sweatiness and smell and sensitivity on my temples for several months. I eventually got tired of this as none of the symptoms improved after almost a year, so I went back on it. I have been taking it for about 15 years now. I am 46 and will likely try going off of it again in a few years to see if I have outgrown the acne yet.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 55 56 57 58 59 … 62
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

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