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:
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May 9, 2009
Cons:
Make spike potassium levels
Can interfere with effectiveness of antidepressants
Be sure to drink plenty of liquids
I'm almost 40 and have dealt with acne since the age of 10. The last 5 years have the been the worst because I developed cystic acne.
After trying different cremes, antibiotics, and cortisone shots; nothing would prevent cysts from developing. I was told to try this as my acne is "systemic." I was skeptical to try it because of the potential side effects but I am glad that I did. I still get small pimples but they are easy to deal with. I have not had a cyst since using this medicine and the side effects are not bad.
April 29, 2009
Pros:
It is working!
Cons:
occasional fatigue; light-headedness
I am 64 years old and still getting pimples/cysts on my face and neck. Breakout only on face/neck, never on back, chest. Never had acne as teenager. Got my period at nearly age 18 and had very few acne issues in my 20's. Started with break-outs age 30 and have been to many derma docs over the years tried everything but Accutane. Know it is hormonal (still) even after menopause ... just not as bad as when I was getting monthly period.
I am still breaking out occasionally, but nothing like before the meds. Have been on meds for about 2 months. Taking 50 mg per day.
April 18, 2009
Pros:
99.9% Clear skin after 3 months, Much less oil Production, Boobs bigger?
Cons:
May screw up your periods. Did take roughly two months to clear everything up--patience is a virtue.
I was taking 100 mgs daily with Yasmin, I saw remarkable results in just 2 months. I had no initial breakout. I am 29 years old and in the last three years was stricken with moderate acne. I had acne as a teen and was on accutane twice (16 and 20), along with a laundry list of everything else my Derm would prescribe me. My acne cleared and did not come back till I was almost 27. I tried everything short of accutane this time (my Derm would not give Accutane, this was a different Derm from my teen years). Expensive facials, blue light therapy, Murad, Obagi, Proactive, all the Antibiotics know to man...also the rx topicals. Nothing was even touching the acne..it was beyond frustrating. I would sit in my derm's office and cry and he never once mentioned spiro. I stumbled across this site and asked him for it and he said that he has not prescribed it for 20 years and it does not work. I went to my OBGYN and asked for it, she gave it to me finally. It has been my miracle drug!
April 13, 2009
Pros:
skin is less oily, breakouts have almost completely cleared, inexpensive, easy to swallow pills
Cons:
increased frequency of urination, some stomach cramping and nausea initially, more frequent thirst
my face doesn't hurt anymore! I have been on oral birth control for 16 years, and it has never really helped my acne. The problem started to get really bad about three years ago when I turned 30. In desperation, I turned to a dermatologist, even though my insurance is very cost prohibitive. I am so glad I did! She recommended this medication along with two topical prescription medicines, because Accutane is not an option for me due to high cholesterol, specifically high triglycerides. It is like a miracle drug! Within one month, I was seeing results in the form of less breakouts and existing blemishes healing. I have used it for about six months now, and I love it. The side effects are minimal, in my opinion, and totally worth it to have a pain-free face. The only thing that worries me are the long-term side effects, such as its possible carcinogenic effects. My dermatologist is going to start to "wean" me off the drug starting this fall, though, in about six more months.
March 27, 2009
Pros:
Less oil, almost perfect skin.
Cons:
Small increase in urination frequency. Tender breasts wk before period.
I never really had an acne problem until turning 36. I started getting painful cyst like breakouts esp. a week before my period. I started going to a dermatologist. We tried Benzaclin in the AM and Differin in the PM. Then added RX Oracea to the mix. Not much improvement. Then I heard about spiro on the news one night. Asked my derm about it and I started 50mg 1xaday for 7 days then 100mg a day after that. I'm on my second month (2nd period) and what a difference! My first month better, this month one breakout that was gone after 2days. I did not get worse before better, and I do think my breasts have increased, I find this a con for me. My period has stayed the same, no spotting. I noticed a reduction in oil the first week. I am happy so far.
March 17, 2009
Pros:
reduced oil on face, helped breakouts
Cons:
dry skin, makes you pee a lot!
This is the only medication I've ever been on that helped my oiliness. That part is great. It didn't clear my pimples as much as I would like, but it did help quite a bit. Right now I am spiro plus minocycline, retin A micro, and duac gel and my skin is STILL not clear so it's frustrating! I will probably have to try accutane as a last resort and I am not looking forward to those side effects. All in all I would recommend this medicine for people with moderate acne.
March 4, 2009
Pros:
This pill works! I have been on it for roughly 3 weeks and my face has cleared up. I had cystic acne and haven't gone a day without breaking out in years. My face had people mistaking me for a meth adict. It was awful.
Cons:
Muscle cramps (jimmy legs at night) and dehydration.
It works - it makes acne disappear. I have't gotten to see if it lightens my period, but if it does, that's just one more "pro"!
January 29, 2009
Pros:
Two days and my forehead, back and chest are already oil free. Usually it's greasy half way through the day.
Cons:
I'm vegetarian, mostly raw food, and eat a lot of potassium rich foods. Scared of high potassium and the predicted initial breakout. Have to pee a bit more, but it's ok.
I feel really good about this product so far. I think I might get lucky and not get the initial break out for two reasons; firstly, I am using proactive and had things pretty well under control that way, I'm taking spiro for my back and chest acne. Secondly, my Doc is really great and actually LISTENS (something that not many Docs do) and prescribed spiro b/c it works a lot like the cyproterone in Diane 35, which worked amazingly well on my skin until I got tired of the inconvenience of a daily pill and went to an IUD and had to stop taking it. I never had an IB with Diane.
I'm just worried about the potassium thing, and for some reason the glands in my neck hurt, although that may be unrelated. I also heard that spiro can help with weight loss, which would be an incredible side effect.
January 19, 2009
Pros:
I'm not too sure yet. I have only been taking the medication for a month.
Cons:
Slight dizziness and some tiredness.
I have been taking spiro for one month and was on 50 mg. a day. My doctor just recently changed my dose to 100 mg. daily. I actually have still been breaking out during this month and was wondering if anyone else has had this problem. Does anyone seem to notice if your face gets worse before it gets better? I'm hoping that the higher dose will help me out. I still broke out around my period, which I thought spiro was supposed to help.
I think I just need to stick it out for a few more months to judge the effectiveness.
Has anyone else noticed these effects? Thanks!
January 8, 2009
Pros:
makes skin less oily
Cons:
headaches, dizziness, slow thought process, tiredness
I've been on Minocycline, which is an antibiotic, for the past year and a half and my dermatologist wanted to get me off it. He prescribed Spiro about a month ago and all I can say is that I've been having somewhat severe side effects. He told me that there were no side effects but I've just been feeling horrible lately. I'll get really tired and dizzy and I won't be able to think clearly at times. I'll keep taking it in hope that the side effects loosen up within the next few weeks.
Pros:
Give it some time but it does work. I've had no cystic acne since using it.