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
August 5, 2007
Cons:
None. It is all worth it to have good skin.
I started using Spironolactone in early March and by April my skin had dramatically improved. When I was about 34 I started getting painful breakouts (zits) on my cheeks and chin area. Never before had I had acne in this area. When I was a teen I had it more in my t-zone, but it was never severe- just average. But then in my mid-30s this cycstic-like painful acne began. And with age, scars do not heal as quickly- so my face was either red welts or the remaining scars. But with the introduction of spironolactone in my life that has all changed. I cannot say enough good things about it. Give it a try if your doctor suggests it to you-- it has worked wonders for me!!
July 12, 2007
Pros:
No more breakouts and less oil production.
Cons:
None.
I've had acne since the beginning of high school. I am now 28 and within the past year or so, the breakouts have been so much worse. Nothing seemed to help until my doctor prescribed spiro a month ago. The first week of taking spiro, I had the normal amount of breakouts. Since then, I have had no new pimples (it has been a month). Also, I no longer need to blot my face of oil during the day (previously, I'd have to blot every half hour!). This is a miracle drug!! I take 100 mg per day (I no longer use any other acne meds). During the first week or two I was more tired, but that is no longer a problem. That has been the only side effect I have experienced. I wish I would have learned of this drug sooner - but hey, it feels amazing now not to wake up to a new pimple or four every morning. I am so grateful of spiro - having acne is so painful both emotionally and physically. I wish everyone out there suffering from acne the best - I hope spiro works for you!
July 1, 2007
Pros:
This is the only thing that has cleared my acne.
Cons:
My dermatologist never mentioned anything about potassium issues so I am a little concerned - but the effects are so incredible that I will do just about anything to keep taking these. Also, you need to keep taking it -once you go off it,acne returns
I have tried the following:
*Almost everything/anything topical
*Photodynamic therapy w/ Levulan (cost $1300)
*Antibiotics
*Doing everything "right" - washing w/ Ovace, all products noncomedagenic, etc Spironolactone is the only thing that works. Proves that acne in caused internally. I was warey of it at first but was ready to try anything to clear up my skin for my wedding - it made a remarkable difference. After the wedding I stopped taking it... skin went back to it's normal ways. A month ago my skin was so horrible that I decided to resume it -- and here I am again at almost 2 weeks into the treatment and pores are smaller, skin is clearer...no plans of getting off of it anytime soon.
June 21, 2007
Pros:
Works better than anything I have tried for hormonal acne and oily skin which I have had since I was 12.
Cons:
Remembering to take it twice a day.
I am 43 years old and have suffered with oily skin and acne seems like most of my life. Nothing has worked this well. I take 25 mg twice daily. My skin is less oily w/no breakouts. What more could I ask for. A little oil is ok. I don't want to dry up and look older. I would recommend this med under doctors orders for anyone who has tried it all. You will be amazed.
May 26, 2007
Pros:
My skin is clear, not oily, my period is regular again, and I don't have leg/ankle edema at the end of the day anymore!!!
Cons:
If I drink alcohol, the combination makes me pee like crazy. Sometimes I have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
I had moderate, non-cystic acne in high school. I went on accutane when I was 17 and it cleared my skin up great. No one in my family has had cystic acne. Then, all of a sudden, when i was 24 I started getting cystic acne. I would get 2 or 3 BIG nodulo-cysts a month. They would take 6 months to come to the surface and would scar. I went on accutane again for 8 months, which helped somewhat, but I was still breaking out while on the accutane up until the last month on it. I was really demoralized. I was also having a lot of problems with bleeding when I wasn't supposed to while on birth control pills. Then, 3 months ago my derm put me on 50mg twice a day of spironolactone. This stuff is great!!! My skin is PERFECT again, dry, and my periods are normal again. I've also stopped getting ankle edema by the end of the day. I wish I had tried this sooner. I would recommend this to any woman who has adult-onset cystic acne.
May 17, 2007
Pros:
I'm 30.Started with 50mg for hormonal acne and hirsutism.After one month raised it to 100mg, which I take every other day. It cleared my skin like accutane without drying it and without the super nasty side effects. Use it without the BCP.
Cons:
the fact it messes with you potassium and sodium levels in the body can create letargy and lack of energy. You need to control your diet when on Spiro and never eat food rich in potassium (bananas, nuts etc) otherwise you might develop hyperkalemia
If you are over 25 and still with acne,, or you are younger but have other simptoms as well (alopecia, oily skin, hirsutism) chances are you have hormonal acne. That means that you can either have too much production of masculin hormones (androgens/testoterone) or your skin receptors are too sensitive to a NORMAL (within the range) level of hormones. So the skin converts the normal level of masculin hormones circulating in your body into a greater amount of acne, oil, body hair etc. Don't let the doctors convince you that if your hormones levels are within range that you do not have hormonal acne. There are lot of respectable reaserch atesting to that. Spiro is a great way to get rid of acne (hormonal or adult) acne, with almost no negative side effets and can be taken during a long period of time. Much better than pill. I take it without BCP, and i take 100mg 4 to 5 times per week. You don't need to take it every day mind you!Apart from a bit of lack of energy, no side effects for me!
May 16, 2007
Pros:
It works !! and cheap.
Cons:
None
I have only been using this for 2 weeks now. I am a 52 year old perimenopausal female and having a problem with acne for the last five years. Been on everything imanginable except for Accutane. Steroids, antibiotics, creams, pills, Elidel you name it. It started out causing the whiteheads to come to the surface, but then they slowly decreased. This is my second week and I can see a big difference. Please try it it cannot hurt to see if it works for you. No side effects either.
May 7, 2007
Pros:
I've tried everything - even accutane (which worked perfectly for about 2 years after stopping it) but then slowly but surely the acne came back. Spiro WORKS... I almost gave up on it when 2.5 weeks passed with no changes for the better or worse.
Cons:
Started working week 3 on 100mg
Be patient!!
May 6, 2007
Pros:
I am 38 and had Acne since I was 12. This is the only thing that works for me. my doc would only give me 25 mg twice a day. I didn't thing it would be enough, but after 3 weeks (it got worse) my skin is totaly clear. I know take it every other day.
Cons:
Can't stop it for more than a few days or I break out really bad, with cycsts. really is the only thing that worked for me. Retin-a is ok for having blemished go away faster, but this prevents them
I love what it does for my skin, but hate the fact that I have to take medicine on a regular basis. Especially BP meds, and I have low blood presure naturally. I hope it doesn't mess up with my blood pressure. I wish I could find something that will get rid of it once and for all.
May 4, 2007
Pros:
Cleared up skin completely, no breakouts, lost weight!!!
Cons:
NONE!!
My derm put me on this for about 9 months or so leading up to my wedding, because I was adamant about having clear skin on my wedding day. My skin was perfect!! Not a single breakout while I was on it. Plus, I lost about 10 pounds from the diuretic effect - an added bonus!!
Pros:
All pros! No complaints! Has completey changed my life (or the condition of my face!).