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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December 9, 2009

Pros:

I just went on this yesterday, so I havent noticed any changes yet. I was on the generic birth control for Yasmin called Ocella. I had HORRIBLE side effects with it. Moodswings, depression, hair loss, horrible acne etc.

Cons:

Havent noticed any yet, will write when I have been on it for a while

Im terrifyed to go off of it if it does work because according to all these reviews, the acne flares up again. I've been on acutane twice and wanted to try this route first before I go back to acutane. Also, one reviewer made a comment about sprio can cause horrible birth defects if you want to have kids later. Im 23 and plan on doing so. Has anyone else heard of the birth defect part?
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December 9, 2009

Pros:

Cheap, doesn't interfere w/ my BCP like antibiotics, no y-infections, smaller looking pores, less facial/body hair, less oil production, decrease in my crazy monthly cravings

Cons:

decreased libido, decreased appetite, dizzy spells when I get up

Ladies, Spiro is GREAT! I'm 23 and have had a ROLLERCOASTER ride with moderate acne since I was 16. This past summer I decided I was DONE with taking antibiotics because I felt I was becoming immune to them and the side effects were driving me crazy...y-infections (even in my fingers, its possible!), interfering with my BCP Yaz, photosensitivity, and get this "doxycycline induced esophagitis" - yeah basically the pill got stuck in my esophagus. Anyways, I've just finished my 2nd month of Spiro and wow I'm about 80% better. My pores look great, my facial and body hair is coming back much slower and fainter, and my bad monthly cravings for junk food have decreased (not entirely), HOWEVER, my appetite and libido have as well decreased, thankfully herbs have taken care of that. I workout so my blood pressure is in the low "athlete/children" section so I try to increase my intake of sodium so that I retain some water and do not faint, so far so good.
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December 7, 2009

Pros:

I LOVE IT!!!! I have suffered from acne all my life it seems. I used tetracycline, monocine, acutane and I still had breakouts. i am 35 and couldn't even stand to look at myself in the mirror.....

Cons:

urinate a lot

....I can now look in the mirror and be happy with what I see. I couldn't see "beautiful" for a long time. I didn't even know what smooth skin looked like....I do now....try it.
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December 5, 2009

Pros:

Clears up hormonal acne

Cons:

None :)

I have been taking Spironolactone for 10 days and am experiencing significant improvements. I take 25mg daily and doxycycline as well. I have never had an acne problem until I turned 40 this past October. My dermotologist diagnosed me with hormonal acne. It appeared around my mouth and chin area. I had tried SEVERAL oral antibiotics, as well as topical creams/ointments; nothing worked until now! I am thrilled with the results in such a short amount of time. Please be patient and consistent with the medication. It does work!!
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December 2, 2009

Pros:

turned aggressive hormonal acne mild

Cons:

upset stomach, dehydration, menstrual problems, depression, dangerously low blood pressure.

I took Spirono for a full year. It did not completely eliminate my hormonal acne but it did make it much milder. Now that I am off it and I can tell you this treatment was not worth it emotionally. I did not full realize until I got off it how much it was affecting my mood. It literally made completely a-motivated and depressed for a year, I feel so much better being free from it now. A few spots on my face are not worth losing the motivation to be happy. Also: it is a blood pressure medication and it superficially dropped my blood pressure so low that I was in a dangerous situation when I needed to be treated for another illness. BOTTOM LINE : NOT WORTH IT!
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December 1, 2009

Pros:

NO side affects if you drink enough water, clear skin, easy to use, cheap

Cons:

wish i knew about it 8 years ago!

I have suffered from acne for 8 years. I tried EVERYTHING but accutane, & this is the only thing that worked :) I get BAD migraines when I take BC, so even though I knew I had hormonal acne, I couldnt take it. I tried:Salicylic acid, Topical & oral antibiotics, BC, BP,natural remedies, icing/ steaming, chemical peels, microdermabrasion ...seriously, am I forgetting anything? I am so happy- No crazy accutane or side effects, just one little miracle pill, haha. I have been on spiro for 6 weeks. It took 4 weeks to see results but now i'm totally clear!! I would have classified myself as having moderate-severe acne...Probably 6-10 new cysts per week on my jawline, plus regular acne on my cheeks. I DO notice a difference if I skip the spiro or take it late-- I have heard it must be taken consistently, much like birth control. Now I am being weaned off my BP in the AM & Retin-a Micro at PM & doxycycline, which I had been on for 9 months without results, but now I'll just take ONE pill :)
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November 30, 2009

Pros:

wow, it does work! wow, no more cysts from chocolate and eggs, no bumps from sugar. it's awesome for that! skin is soooo clearing up after a week or two of constant use. the redness is down, yay! relief of edema, legs are slimmer

Cons:

not without weird side effects.
and hoping i won't get any permanent effects

I'm only taking 25 mg, and I'm only taking spironolactone after careful consideration and research (and some faith!! yikes!), and I'm super sensitive and careful, and wrote down these side effects: -light headed, spacy, somehow, i don't feel as smart... like I'll misspell things, which usually I'm not really prone to doing -throat feels painful, like i have a cold. this is weird, but with continuous usage, is less noticeable - CAN ANYONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THE QUALITY OF MY TEETH HAS DETERIORATED SUDDENLY? They're thinner, browner, and i swear, usually my teeth are strong and sparkling (I eat all organic, take the best supplements i can afford right now, like raw-food multis), but since i've been taking this, I've noticed this. No changes to my diet, really. - of course I get tired, but some days it seems to energize me!
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November 30, 2009

Pros:

Clear skin, less oil, smoother texture, reversed the post menopausal issues, "girled" me back up.

Cons:

None that I have found!

I am 57 years old and had long since been through menopause. Taking Spiro has re-feminized me along with reducing facial oil, clogged pores, and cystic breakouts. I had had 4 courses of Accutane over several years and still the breakouts came back. I have high BP and need a diuretic so this does everything for me (150 mg). I would give up all my other meds to stay on this stuff - wish they had given it to me sooner. I have beautiful skin that has no breakouts and seems to have gotten firmer and smoother since starting Spiro. Also, the growth rate of the hair on my legs has slowed, my breasts got firmer, my eyebrows don't need to be groomed as often, the facial hair that had gotten worse, is gone...basically, the Spiro has evened out my hormone levels - I love it.
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November 24, 2009

Pros:

none whatsoever

Cons:

painful joints, rapid heart palpitations,dry itchy skin,hair loss,depresion,dizzines

I don't mean to discourage any one....i just want to share my personal expirience,i only took it for 2 days 25mg of it,and that was enough to send to the emergency room,with severy hives,swollen from head to toes,and to top it off a mild stroke....it's been 4yrs and i'm still suffering the horrible side effects (dry itchy skin, hair loss.painful joints) i too have pecos and with hormonal problems,the acne back then was moderate,now is severy,big painful cysts,i've learned to deal with it,but not accepting it....because of my experience, i cannot recommend this drug,it works for some and not for others..."you can't win them all" Good Luck to all!
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November 21, 2009
Okay so I just started this med today and will write a nother review in a month or two but I want to stress to all the lady's asking about having baby's. My derm was very clear and said she usually only gives this med to woman in their 40's and 50's because they already have kids and dont plan on having anymore because this drug can cause birth defects. This drug can be in your body well after you stop taking it so it's a major NO for you to want kids and just stop the pill and try to get pregos. I didn't ask how long you should wait but i'm guessing if your on it for years it will be longer then say if you only on it for 6 to 12 months. I see my derm in 2 months and will ask her this question. I also found alot of threads where people only take 25mg to 50mg because their doc wont put them on anything higher but if you want this drug to work you must take aleast 100mg to 200mg. If your doc say's no to upping your dosage go see a derm who know's what their saying!
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