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
January 4, 2011
Cons:
Frequent Periods
Temporary Fix
I have tried many creams, lasers, etc. and determined it was a hormone issue and I needed to treat it internally. I HATE taking meds, but I was desperate. They first couple weeks my skin looked great! Then I got an unexpected period along with the usual menstrual breakouts. They barely had time to heal (and leave scars, naturally) before the next period started 2 weeks later. The cycle has been repeating for 3 months now. I had hoped things would settle down but no luck. My derm wants me to take the pill now to counteract the side effects but I refuse. The spiro is messing with my hormones enough (making me act like a crazy person) and I don't want to make it worse. I'm really bummed because I am out of options now...
August 12, 2010
Pros:
The promises of less oily skin and less acne sounded nice....also adding a possible weight loss.
Cons:
Unfortunately, I had SEVERE side effects on day 2 and stopped! I had an episode of severe cramping, followed by several trips to the bathroom (diarrhea)....worst of it all is that after I started getting very light headed and my blood pressure plummeted! And this is not including my "fatigue" associated with this med....
I was previously on accutane and had been cystic acne free for 2 years. However, I started getting 3-4 bumps under my chin every month. My dermatologist recommended this medicine. I will call her first thing in the morning to suggest something new. Have you read the side effects....and its "tumogeneric" which means it might cause tumors!!!
May 19, 2010
Pros:
Lost some weight
Cons:
Makes me lightheaded and pee A LOT!
I've used this for about 3-1/2 months now. It kind of sort of cleared my acne. I guess about 50% It did nothing for the acne on my arms and I'm still getting the cystic acne, which sucks. I drink a lot of water with this so of course I have to pee a sh*t ton.
Also the lightheartedness is a killer. If I'm bending down to pick something up I get lightheaded. If I'm sitting down and get up I'm lightheaded. Heck if I get out of the car I'm lightheaded. That really sucks!
Now on to the important one. Sexual side effects. All the other ones I can handle but me losing my Mojo is not cool! This stuff has made me not horney at all! I know TMI but no other reviews I read said anything about that part ugh. So
If you don't care about being horney and lightheaded then this is the stuff for you. As for me I think I'm going to move on from this stuff.
May 10, 2010
Pros:
Reduces oil; weight loss
Cons:
Initial breakout; side effects
I took Spiro for two weeks (50mg/day for one week; 100mg/day for one week). My acne went from moderate to severe in one week of taking this med, waking up with more inflammed blemishes each morning. My derm took me off of it saying that Sprio should never break you out. This drug did, however, dry my skin up rather quickly so I assume its good for excessively oily skin. Mine wasn't too bad to begin with. My head was constantly itching on this drug and it also made me feel cloudy. I really think this drug is probably the answer for most adults dealing with acne. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. I've been off Sprio for 3 days, and my skin is not breaking out anymore.
March 4, 2010
Pros:
Very cheap, easy to use, no side effects for me.
Cons:
Didn't clear my acne even though i took it with Dianette and used Differin.
I was very hopeful as this has worked for so many of you. But after using Spironolactone, Dianette and Differin for 3 years my acne has not improved. Back to Accutane (again).
If, like me, you don't get side effects from Spiro you might as well stick with it and see what happens. I hope you have better luck!
February 15, 2010
Pros:
Thinner from loosing water weight and slightly larger breasts
Cons:
Made my acne unbearably horrible (every pore seemed to have enlarged and be clogged), hair thinned and dryed out, thirsty & peeing constantly, since the begining of starting it went into a depression (not normal for me), more frequent periods and spotting, I swear my face looked puffier while on it, and this is probably the worst side effect I had, about 3 months into it my skin complexion started to turn yellowish!
I know these side effects I had sound extreme and I do not think they are typical at all. I seem to definitly be the exception here. I still do not know but I think I may have had almost like a allergic reaction to this medication. What I also suspect is my liver was already not in good shape and the diuretic effect of this medication was really dehydrating me causing my liver & kidneys to not expel toxins from my body (total speculation..I really have no idea for sure). The yellow skin was really wierd, my mom noticed it first. I always had pale ivory skin with rosy cheeks which was totally taken from my face. I had no glow I just looked sick. I can't even beleive I hung in there as long as I did (5 months)!! Since being off of it for a month, my skin has dramatically cleared and Im feeling so much better! If anyone starts having these odd side effects I had, puffy & yellowish skin, it will not get better! Be smarter than I was and stop taking it immedietly!
February 14, 2010
Pros:
Few side effects. Feel more thirsty than usual, and decreased appetite resulting in weight loss, but no significant or bothersome side effects for me (compared to some other drugs like birth control).
Cons:
I don't think it's working...
I've passed the 2 month mark at taking 75 mg daily religiously. I can't really tell if it's working or not, but my doctor thinks it's having no effect on me and asked me if I wanted accutane at my last appointment. I said no for now, and so he upped me to 100 mg to see if that will do the trick (even though he was leaning toward taking me off of it completely). DID THIS MED KICK IN FOR ANYONE AFTER 2 MONTHS?? I'm really hoping that it will work because this med is very easy to be on.
January 5, 2010
Pros:
None
Cons:
This is truly the WORST product ever, if your wondering why Yaz is being sued so often, check out what this product does to your heart. Causes very BAD heart palpitations, no one should use this.
Dont even consider this esp if you are over 35!
December 25, 2009
Pros:
Could possibly help if I had taken a high enough dosage.
Cons:
Mad me very, very, thirsty..
I have a pre-disposition for drinking massive quantities of water daily. I don't have diabetes, but I'm constantly thirsty. This product made me RAVENOUSLY THIRSTY. The kind of thirsty that almost makes you freekout if you hear running water (fountain or toilet) and don't have access to drinking water.
I ended up getting off of it when I had to have knee surgery and couldn't walk to the sink every 30 minutes to get more water.
December 18, 2009
Pros:
Oh my goodness. Just one, a much lighter and shorter period. That's it!
Cons:
Oh wow, every side effect you can think of. Bloatedness, sore breasts, roller coaster nausea, worse breakouts, no improvement what so ever.
I was very disappointed with this product as the reviews here, have loads of happiness spilling over this medication. I was unlucky with this product and am very frustrated on where to turn next as I am 36 and can not go back on the pill as it will have detrimental affects as I am in a higher risk category to develop blood clots in my legs. Also, yes, with this product it can develop birth defects in a male. Beware ladies. It's not always as safe as they tell you.
Pros:
Affordable with Insurance