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 19, 2009
Cons:
TBD
Just started Spiro yesterday @ 25 mg twice daily (morning and lunch time). I have hormonal leg edema and acne - I had to plead with my derm to give this to me, but he finally gave in. Hope to see wonderful results as those listed here.
August 17, 2009
Pros:
I actually have seen huge improvements in my skin, it is covered by my insurance, ($7/mo), less time spent worrying about my face and more time spent doing things, I actually went to brunch with NO makeup on this week!
Cons:
If you currently have or have had a history of an eating disorder (me- bulimia) and/or low blood pressure you must have that checked bi-weekly by your doctor. Kind of annoying but worth it!!
I'm 29. Over the past 2 years I developed huge deep, lesions around my lower mouth and checks that would not go away, even on The Birth Control Pill, monthly facials and with all the acne.org products like it has in the past. I literally had to cry and beg for my Derm. to put me on the Spiro. after reading the reviews here. For some reason she was very skeptical. I started on the Sprio at 25 mg 2 times per day. I washed my face with Dan's cleanser, AM I use Oil of Olay for sensitive skin, SPF 15 and concealer, powder, PM, honestly, I'm lazy..I'm supposed to use Epiduo Gel .1-2.5% so I do a few times a week. After 4 weeks I bumped up to 50mg of Spiro 2 times per day. I just saw my Derm this week, it's been 10 weeks now and she was very happy with the results. When I told her I hadn't really been using the Epiduo Gel she was really surprised! Just keep reading reviews and be patient. What works for one women may not work for you remember.
August 16, 2009
Pros:
It works for me. Skin is smooth, acne free, and less oily.
Cons:
Stomach upset (taking it with a little toast helps me), dizziness and fatigue (lessened with time), more frequent stops at the restroom.
I had an unusual jump in testosterone that left my perfect skin a mess. At its worst, I had eighty-three large cysts on my face and jawline. After two months on the medication I have one. In combination, I use bactrim 50mg and Retin-A micro gel .01%. I take 50mg of spironolac. This is the exact regimine that my dermatologist has me on and it works great for me: Morning: wash face with Head and Shoulders regular shampoo, moisurize as needed with Canola oil (yes, the kind in the baking isle) Cosmetics are strictly Bare Minerals, no substitutes. I take 50mg spironolac on empty stomach. Evening:I wash with Head and Shoulders (also use for daily shampoo/conditioner so that hair oils don't get on my face), .5 gram of Retin-A micro, 50mg Bactrim. Moisture as needed. A note on Retin-A: This is the most costly part of my routine, but its an amazing product. I've used it since I was thirteen and have no wrinkles, freckles, visable pores, or other typical aging signs for som
August 15, 2009
Pros:
Clearer & smoother skin, reduced facial oil
Cons:
Dizziness and upset stomach for the first week or so, but definitely worth my trouble
I LOVE this stuff! I've tried just about everything out there, including accutane twice, without any lasting results. I'm 30 and I've had troubled skin since I was 12. Actually, "troubled" isn't the right word. I've had horrible, red, irritated, embarassing, god-awful skin since I was 12, which is never good on the old self-esteem. Right now, after over a year on Spiro, my skin is "manageable". My make-up usually goes on smooth. I don't have to do 1,000 touch-ups per day because I'm too oily. I feel much more confident, even in bad lighting. I take 100 mgs per day, but I'm thinking of bumping my dosage up to 200 mgs. Is anyone out there taking a 200 mg daily dose? I'd like to know how it's going for you if so. Spiro is a wonderful invention & I highly recommend it!
August 14, 2009
Pros:
weight loss, lower BP, happier
Cons:
abesoutly nothing
I have had horrible acne with cysts for 10 years now. As soon as I started taking this med. my face cleared up and had no oil. I for whatever reason feel happy now doc. does't know why, but I do. I just can't believe this... it's amazing.
August 14, 2009
Pros:
Not sure there are any yet?
Cons:
No results after 2.5 weeks. I have been dizzy and light headed since beginning.
A friend suggested I ask my Derm about it because she had great success. Thus far after 2.5 weeks I have seen nor felt any changes. I do go to the bathroom more and have been consistently dizzy. I was prescribed 100/day ( 2x/day 50 mg). I am now only taking 50mg at night because of the fatique and feeling dizzy. Hoping it takes more time or I adjust so there are no side effects.
August 12, 2009
Pros:
Weight loss, Skin seems like it's getting better slowly but surely, Pepperminty tasting pills
Cons:
Frequent urination, Makes me tired
I started using this a little over a month ago and now am up to 100 mgs a day. The pills taste like mints. I'm stilll dealing with acne problems but I have faith that this will work for me. I take these at the same time every day as directed. *Note try to take these before 6pm so you're not up all night running to bathroom.
August 10, 2009
Pros:
Cleared up my acne when NOTHING else worked. Skin is noticeable less oily.
Cons:
None. I have no side effects.
This has done wonders for my skin. I am 26 and have struggled with acne since I was 12. I have tried everything, including 3 courses of accutane.I thought I would never find a solution for my horrible skin. I had numerous painful cysts, mostly around my chin and jawline. It took a couple months to see full results, but it was well worth it. Im on 100mg daily.
August 2, 2009
Pros:
My acne is gone and a have great skin. Most people guess me to be 29, while I'm 37. Very happy with the result.
Cons:
I think it lowered my blood pressure slightly. After 8 months, I have developed eustachian tube dysfunction (keep hearing myself). I stopped it for now and the issue with my ears went away in 2 days after stopping the medication.
Supposedly, after a long term usage (1 year on 100 mg), eustachian tube disfunction can be a long term side-effect. In the end, it was totally worth it! I'm not on it for now, if I'll start developing acne, I'll try lower dosage.
While on it, you cannot get pregnant. To get pregnant, you need to be 6 months off this medication.
August 1, 2009
Pros:
Spironolactone worked brilliantly! It not only prevented new acne from forming, but also helped with the fading of pigmentation. It works really well, overall. Just give it a couple weeks to start working.
Cons:
I don't know if it's just me, a coincidence, or whatnot, but I realized that I started getting severe migraines on the days that I was taking the pill towards the end of the treatment. It does go away though, so don't worry too much but it's not fun.
It works. It really does. My treatment was spironolactone WITH benzaclin (benzyl peroxide) and differin (adapalene). I don't know which of the three had the most impact, but together, they certainly worked extremely well. However, spironolactone did do its job so use it if you can. Besides, my insurance pretty much covered it so it was inexpensive as well.
By the way, I was originally on 50 mg but then I got it pushed to 100 mg because it wasn't working like I wanted it to. It worked really well after I got it increased.
Pros:
treats hormonal acne and leg edema