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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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!
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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!
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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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June 13, 2008

Pros:

works in a unique way

Cons:

Did not improve my complexion, but gave me lots of side effects: a lot of breast tenderness and irregular periods (every 2 weeks!)

I was only on the therapy for about 6 weeks because i couldnt tolerate the side effects. During the time i was on it, i didnt see an improvement in my oily skin and/or acne.
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May 17, 2008

Pros:

lost water weight, skin was producing less oil

Cons:

Had severe allergic reaction and ended up in the ER.

My dermatologist recommended this to me last fall after years of failed treatments - retin-a, differen, azelex, mino + tetracycline, clindamicyn, etc., and I hesitated for a bit but decided to try it out this spring after reading the reviews on the message boards. 10 days after starting Spiro, I started developing these red bumps on my arms. The next morning, I woke up itching all over - they had spread and were even on my lips, which were red and misshapen. Even worse, my throat was tight and I had difficulty breathing. I ended up in the ER for six hours and received an IV treatment of benadryl and prednisone. I also had to continue benadryl and prednisone for five days to help clear the reaction out of my system. I'm lucky it wasn't worse. I think the allergic reaction is rare as I haven't seen anything on these boards, and my dermatologist said that she's only had one patient in 20 years that had a reaction to the Spiro. But I just wanted to post it as an FYI.
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February 6, 2008
Just another thought - work outs will reduce testosterone too. Instead of a pharmacueticaly, try this daily first. That, as well as a healthy diet, few carbs and sweets if any, and 50grams of lean protein a day mixed with as many fruits and veggies! It sounds like a lot - but the reason our hormones are high to begin with is because we are usually too sedentary, don't eat right, and are overly stressed. Why not correct these things, and then go to drugs if it doesn't work?
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