Spironolactone
Results
Side Effects

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.

 [more]
4.2
1218
Read All About Spironolactone
Compare To Other Treatments
5
52.1%
4
28.5%
3
9.8%
2
4.6%
1
5.1%

Used Spironolactone? Rate It:

Choose from 1 to 5 stars
Sort by: Most Helpful
Order:
May 5, 2009

Pros:

Since taking Spiro, I've noticed that my overall oil production has decreased and that my skin feels and looks smoother and brighter. My boobs have gotten a bit bigger and my hair isn't as oily as it was in the past.

Cons:

I felt tired and a bit achy the first few weeks on the medication. I see a lot of people complain about the headaches, which I also got, but realized that the headaches were a trigger for me drink more water - then my headaches went away.

My skin isn't 100% yet, but I have faith that it will get to where I can be happy with it. My older scars are a bit more noticable now that my skin is smoother and brighter, so I'm going to need to get some peels and dermobrasion done soon to minimize their appearance. I still breakout, but I get one or two instead of 15 or 20 each day now. I'll continue to take Spiro until my dermo finds something else that she'd like to try on me. I'm currently on 100mg a day and I've been taking the drug for 2 1/2 months. If you have hormonal acne or if you've tried everything else (Accutane, RetinA, Solodyn, Duac, Epiduo, Rosac, Minocycline, etc.), try this, it may be the drug that finally helps clear up your skin. I still have high hopes.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 4, 2009

Pros:

idk think there were any??

Cons:

heart pounding, trouble breathing, couldn't sleep at night, and head aches that were horrible!

This medication may work for some people, but as for me it was awful and felt like it could have been life threatening if I didn't stop taking it. I first had horrible head aches so then I took it at night because I thought that would help with the head aches and then my heart started pounding just to get up and walk around the house. I had trouble breathing and if I got up to quick I would get a bit dizzy or light headed. Just thought I would let you all know some possible side affects before taking this medication.
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 3, 2009

Pros:

Took a good 6 months to really work but now I have great skin

Cons:

Bad initial breakout - sleepy and had to go to the bathroom lots during the first 2 weeks

Sprio has worked great for me but you have to have patience!! I broke out badly a couple of summers ago even though I was using BCP and RetinA for a few years. Intially Sprio made my acne so much worse, I wanted to cry. After a month I went back to my Dermo and she put me on Bactrim to help with the IB. I saw improvement in about a month and after about 10 weeks I was clear (was and still am using BCP and RetinA), I started at 100mg and have stayed in this dosage. After about 6 months I dosed down on the Bactrim and stopped it completely a few months later. Now I never break out, My skin is the best it has ever been. The key is patience and working with your derm to be at a high enough doseage for Spiro to be effective. If you aren't seeing any improvment after 3 months, ask to bump it up. I'm so glad that I pushed through the first 3 months and stuck with thisl.
This Was Helpful

6 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 3, 2009

Pros:

Cheap as chips, minimal side effects (once used to it) minty flavour!

Cons:

makes you a bit dizzy at first or when you up your dose.
Seemed to make things a little worse in the beginning.

Well i still need more time on this, but after 3 months on 25mg, 50mg, then 75mg, (1 month each) things have been better with regards to oil production. I can wash my hair every two days instead of every day and my face is not slick with oil like it used to be. my skin goes through cycles. Sometimes it is flawless then i get another breakout which can take a while to heal. I am taking 100mg a day now and hope this may just fine tune it. I have had great results on diane35 but can no longer take it due to migraines so this was my 'other option'. we'll see how it goes from now on!
This Was Helpful

4 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 1, 2009

Pros:

none yet

Cons:

more periods, dry skin

can somebody pleaseeee tell me how long for spiro to start working? I have been on it for 1 month already, and see no major results. I still brake out especially on jaw line. My skin is dry and flacky.
This Was Helpful

1 user(s) found this helpful

Report
May 1, 2009

Pros:

Less oil, cystic acne is gone.

Cons:

Old red scars are more visible, Tired, You do urinate more. Strong medicine with carcinogenic links.

I have been on spiro for 6 months. I have a better complexion then I have had in 16 years. It is not perfect but the pimples if and when they come are much smaller and more manageable.I have gone from 3-4 cystic big pimples a day everyday to maybe one small one every 6 days. Now I am dealing with all the old red scars deep under the skin because from my experience Spiro makes your face smoother and lighter so the scars are easily seen. It is easier to cover a flat scar then a big bumpy cyst though. While this med does work it is very strong and does not come without side effects. Also there is the risk of cancer. I am on 100 mg a day all at once in the AM. I would have liked to have gone down to 50mg for maintenance by now but I feel I would break out. My skin is not flawless just A LOT better.
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 30, 2009

Pros:

none of as yet, maybe slightly less oily skin

Cons:

Increased periods which is a major pain (2 a month), takes a while to work.

hi I previously sent a post but as I have been only on the medication a month, I cant really see how effective it is yet, as from all the other posts it seems it takes 2-3 months to work, HOWEVER I have been having increased periods which not alot of girls have mentioned in the cons, except April in Houston who since starting has had 2 periods a mth, well thats like me, I started spiro just after my regular period, and was surprised when just 2 wks later I got another, I put it down to a blip in my system but then another 2 weeks on, I got another period, in the 12 years I have been menstruating I have never had 2 in a month (I would be more likely to skip the occasional month although rarely) I called my endocronologist and he said this is NOT normal, and I am really finding it an inconvenience, but I so wanted to give the spiro a chance!! The endocron was not helpful about staying on or off it...has any other women suffered this problem & if so did it stop after a while? or is it me
This Was Helpful

2 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 30, 2009

Pros:

It works! It's as easy at taking two 50mg. tablets a day--no special washes, creams, etc.

Cons:

You'll be fatigued for the first couple of months. You may even feel nauseous at times--but hang in there

I have suffered with mild-moderate acne since I was 27 years old (I'm 31 now). I made the huge mistake of trying Retin-A Micro last year which caused a huge amount of acne to surface over a six month period--it never stopped so I quit taking it, but the breakouts continued. Anyhow, I begged my doctor to test my hormones and found that my DHEA was four times the normal level. My doctor finally believed that the acne was hormonal (what acne isn't hormonal?!) and prescribed Sprio in July '08 and referred me to an endocrinologist who confirmed that I had PCOS. By November of '08 I had consistantly clear skin, though I had gradual improvement throughout those five months. I love Spiro and am so glad I persisted with my doctor to test my hormones. I highly encourage you ladies out there to have your hormones tested to see if this is the cause of your acne!
This Was Helpful

8 user(s) found this helpful

Report
April 29, 2009

Pros:

Its great. I've acne since a teenager. I can't say that I have tried different things for it. I do use professional products for my face and get facials often, but it seems like this medicine is the only thing that made my acne disappear.

Cons:

The only thing that i dont like is that i have to take the pill daily.

LOVED it!
This Was Helpful

Report
April 29, 2009

Pros:

It is working!

Cons:

occasional fatigue; light-headedness

I am 64 years old and still getting pimples/cysts on my face and neck. Breakout only on face/neck, never on back, chest. Never had acne as teenager. Got my period at nearly age 18 and had very few acne issues in my 20's. Started with break-outs age 30 and have been to many derma docs over the years tried everything but Accutane. Know it is hormonal (still) even after menopause ... just not as bad as when I was getting monthly period. I am still breaking out occasionally, but nothing like before the meds. Have been on meds for about 2 months. Taking 50 mg per day.
This Was Helpful

5 user(s) found this helpful

Report
Previous
1 … 72 73 74 75 76 … 117
Next

Relevant Article(s):

Relevant Forum(s):

Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website