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
October 9, 2007
Cons:
none
I have been taking Spironolactone for approx 3 years. Used to suffer from hormonal cystic acne that left really bad scars (primarily on chin). I am happy to say that I can't remember the last breakout that I had. My skin has been clear and the cystic stuff non existent. I take 75mg per day.
September 26, 2007
Pros:
* Affordable (with insurance)
* I've experienced relatively few side-effects.
* Helps with hirsutism (excess hair growth) and scalp hair loss in women.
Cons:
* Sometimes I feel easily fatigued and weaker than usual.
* Potential for birth defects in a male fetus should pregnancy occur.
* Drug interactions and need to monitor potassium intake.
Although I don't take spiro for acne, I stumbled open this website and thought I'd share my experience for those who do suffer with skin issues. I get the occasional hormone induced breakout, usually on the cheek or forehead. My skin is extremely oily though and has been since before puberty. I've been on spiro for 16 days and have yet to experience any new breakouts. After examining my skin this morning, I realized it looked dryer than normal, even flaky in some parts. We've had temperatures in the 70s and 80s here with high humidity so I can't even attribute this difference to a change in weather. My skin looks clearer over all and I tend to scar easily from breakouts, yet those areas seem to be fading fairly quickly. I'm just amazed in the improvements to my skin in such a short amount of time. I think it also may be worth noting that I also get occasional breakouts on my upper arms, which have not resurfaced in the past two weeks.
September 26, 2007
Pros:
So far so good. I'm hoping it helps me lose weight in addition to managing my acne. Hey, every little bit helps.
Cons:
Whiteheads by the bunch within a few days of taking first dose. After one week, these are slowing down.
Excellent so far. Quick results. I had several deep acne spots. They cleared up almost overnight - no kidding. Very impressive. I take oracea and use topical creams (finecea and metrogel) too just in case. Probably going to try to use less of the topical creams as time goes on. Very pleased after one week. I will post again after one month.
September 21, 2007
Pros:
affordable, few side affects, it works!
Cons:
none
I had severe acne all over my face and body in my early teens and i took accutane to clear all of it. It worked great but i began to break out again after a year. I requested spironolactone from my dermatologist and it worked just as well as the accutane and after taking it my acne completely cleared up its awesome ide recommed it to everyone with acne.!
September 6, 2007
Pros:
I just started using it 3 days ago and already see results! I tried 4-5 different abx's--nothing worked. I was skeptical about using this at first. I'm glad I filled the prescription.
Cons:
frequent trips to the BR, dizziness if I get up fast
If the first three days are any indication, I will be tickled pink when my skin finally clears. I never had a lot of breakouts but when I did, they were nasty. This has helped tremendously
September 1, 2007
Pros:
Easy to take, virtually no side effects, except a lot of going to the toilet - it's a diuretic, after all! And, most importantly, it WORKS!
Cons:
A lot of toilet trips and slightly irregular periods
I have tried several different antibiotics, laser and topical treatments to help control my acne. This is the best and most affordable treatment I have used and the few side effects are not serious or mood related. It takes 1-3 months to start working. Also, don't be disheartened if your skin initially is worse - this happened to me, but it soon improved dramatically. I advise taking a heavier dose in the lead up to your period. (perhaps 200 mg a day). So pleased with the results!!!! Renewed my self-confidence.
August 31, 2007
Pros:
IT WORKS....it's the onlything (other than accutane) that has worked on my skin.
Cons:
Felt very tired the first couple of weeks.
After trying all kinds of medications, a dermatologist finally prescribed this to me after I refused to take Accutane for the second time. It worked within the first month. I took it for a few months then couldn't afford to go back to that Dermatologist because he didn't take insurance. I recently went to my regular doctor and asked him if he would prescribe Spiro to me if I felt I needed it again and he agreed...he didn't seem to have a problem with it. I recently started to break out again and have an appointment to start back on in a few days since I am breaking out again after not taking it for about 2 months.
August 28, 2007
Pros:
Face looks much clearer than it did six weeks ago.
Cons:
none. Just takes awhile to work.
After trying everything it seems like, even laser treatments and chemical peels, it seems like I'm finally getting my acne under control.
Earlier this year I got extremely stressed out from school and something I was going through and it created me hormones to go way out of wack. In turn, it made my face start breaking out horribly! I had never had this big of a problem until now. My doctor put me on 100mg once a day and its been about 3 1/2 weeks so far. I am seeing improvement and am excited to see it get even better in the next several weeks. I'm taking Yaz right now also and I'm about to switch because my estrogen levels were low, so hopefully that will help even more!
If you are struggling with hormonal acne, please listen and try this stuff. This is the first medication that I have seen definate results from! Good luck!
August 24, 2007
Pros:
Inexpensive. Easy to take. Tablet doesn't taste bad. I've been taking 50 mg twice a day for about 3 weeks. I've have seen fewer pimples, but I didn't have too many to start with. I THINK I am seeing a decrease in oil, but am not sure.
Cons:
None. No changes in need to urinate. The first 2 days, I think I did urinate more when I did go. But, I haven't felt that my need to go has increased, even with taking my 2nd dose right before bed.
No side effects so far. Not sure it's really started working for me after 3 weeks. I hope to see a reduction in oil production. Will update in a few more weeks.
August 23, 2007
Pros:
With insurance it is very inexpensive, less facial oil, no more breakouts, and if I get a blemish it rarely comes to a head and heals much faster.
Cons:
None really...aside from the typcial symptoms that everyone goes through in the first 1 to 2 weeks, there's nothing to really worry about. If you are worried about your potassium levels, get tested...generally 50 mg is nothing to worry about.
I have extremely oily skin and have experienced consistent breakouts since the age of 12. I have tried antiobiotics (doxycycline), retin-A, differin, tazorac, Proactiv, OTC products...all of which have helped me to some degree, but never enough.
I started on doxycycline back in May and the breakouts stopped on day one...it was amazing. I had to stop because the side effects were just too much to handle (upset stomach everyday, vomiting if food wasn't eaten within 30 min. of taking doxy, and extreme sensitivity to the sun).
I heard so many great things about spiro from friends,that I decided to give it a try. My dermatologist prescribed me 50mg daily in conjunction with Retin-A Micro and so far I've had great results! I continue to have no breakouts, with the occasional blemish (maybe 2-4 within the past 2 months).
I recommend this to anyone, remember that everyone reacts differently to meds, and it can take up to 3-6 months to see amazing results, so be patient! Good L
Pros:
Cleared up my cystic acne
no side effects
not expensive