Acne.org Products
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 26, 2009
Cons:
I have to pee a lot and sometimes I have headaches.
Well, I have been taking Spironolactone for almost 2 months and my acne is worse than it has ever been. My face has never looked so bad. I take 100 mg twice a day. My doctor mentioned putting me on birth control along with this medicine, but I haven't really decided whether I want to do it or not, but at this point I am considering it. I am trying so hard to be patient and wait for the results that everyone else talks about on here, but when I look in the mirror and see the bumps on my face, it is very disheartening and a part of me wants to give up because I feel like it isn't working at all. I'm hoping to see results in the near future.
January 19, 2009
Pros:
started working after only a couple of weeks for me!
Cons:
none so far
I never got a pimple in my life until I hit my 30th bday and it's been horrible. I have really great skin, just having a surge of hormones due to my age. I started getting the large cystic pimples (hate them), and tiny whiteheads everywhere (on my lower face, chin, jawline) - I tried EVERYTHING topical and nothing was working - Derm put me on Minocycline and in a few weeks I had skin as clear as the sky but hives everywhere - I was allergic! Talk about irony. Them he put me on Bactrim and after a couple months my acne was 'better' but not by much. I wasnt thrilled to be on an antibiotic all the time anyway. A couple weeks ago he took me off Bactrim and on Spironolactone. I take 50 mg 2 times a day. I was warned I might be dizzy, tired, etc because it is primarily used for people with high blood pressure, but I have experienced none of those symptoms or any others. My face is FINALLY CLEAR! I encourage anyone who has tried just about everything with no results to try this.
January 19, 2009
Pros:
Within a month, I was not breaking out regularly like I used to.
Cons:
None really. I take 50mg about three times every 2 days. Supposed to take 2/day. Seems to work fine at the dose I am taking. I get one or two smaller zits before my period...but that's about it.
Very happy with this solution. Been on it for 5 months now and don't plan to stop.
November 24, 2008
Pros:
Soft, smooth skin, no breakouts!
I have been on spironolactone for about 4 years. It has kept my mild acne under control. I am 27 and I feel great about my skin, finally. I wish I had known about this years ago. I am on a small dosage and have not had any side effects. I follow the instructions for the drug and eat well, and feel totally normal. Just keep trying something until it works for you.
November 20, 2008
Pros:
None.
Cons:
Terrible allergic reaction.
My dermatologist prescribed this medication for me after I had tried almost everything. As soon as I started taking it I broke out with severe hives. I stopped taking the medication immediately but continued with chronic hives (urticaria) for almost a year. I would break out multiple times a week and was prescribed hydroxyzine to control the hives. It was a terrible experience for me. All medications work differently but be aware that you may be allergic to one that is prescribed to you. From reading the reviews it looks like it works really well...too bad I'm allergic.
October 23, 2008
Pros:
*Reduction in size of some cystic acne
*Easy to take
*Small pill/good taste
Cons:
*Dry Mouth
*Fatigue (first two weeks; cannot exactly pin-point this to Spiro though!)
*IB and no good side effects of this such as bigger breasts /loosing weight
I have only been on this for three weeks as of today. My derm started me on 100mg daily and I thought it was a lot (I wanted to start on 75) but now I am wondering if it was too low. Some of the cystic acne has reduced in size and so far that is the only progress. My face is actually worse than when I started, but I am hoping that is the IB. My neck is a HUGE problem area too, thanks to pro-actice (DO NOT use this) and nothing seems to help. Under my chin and on my cheeks I have red bumps, not sure what they are-somewhat easy to cover with makeup.I did not have to go pee more often and do not need to drink more water than usual, which I have read that the majority of users do,so I am afraid this is not having any effect. I have used everything (will not do accutane) and based on reviews I say try this and be PATIENT. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.
October 18, 2008
Pros:
Works! Reduces oil, dries out pimples,blackheadsand whiteheads, reduces breakouts, evens out skin tone...eventually. Oh yea lost a few pounds too which motivated me to workout and my boobs are firmer and a bit larger!
Cons:
Makes u pee like crazy at first. After a month or so not as frequent. Extremely tired first 3 wks. As soon as this ended I broke out pretty bad, which I kind of expected after reading the reviews. Who knows maybe stressing abt having a breakout cause
I take 50mg 2x/day and noticed a reduction in oil around day 10. Still break out but I have 3 pimples a week instead of 3-5 new ones everyday and I'm only on wk 8.I still have months for existing dark spots to heal but I'm very optimistic. The thing is spiro is not a quick fix and u have to be patient because it works from the inside out. Also, you have to find a daily regimen that works for your skin.
October 8, 2008
Pros:
very effective in treating acne! inexpensive!
Cons:
frequent urination
Although everyone handles medications differently, I highly recommend spironolactone based on my experience for adult females who feel that the typical medications doctors prescribe for acne have not worked for them. This is a completely different way of treating acne than the norm and has made a drastic difference for me. Although I never had severe acne, I was not able to find a medication that stopped my breakouts completely until I went on this. It is rare that I get a pimple now and if I do, it's tiny. Yes, you have to go to the bathroom quite a bit, but it is worth it with the results you get! Just try to take it at dinner time so that you are not up throughout the night going to the BR and stay hydrated. :)
October 8, 2008
Pros:
it seemed to work after the first few months, i was on 100mg once a day, but after about 9 months my acne came back almost as bad as it was before.
Cons:
i didn't notice any side effects, i always had to pee alot though
for me it was effective for awhile, but even after my acne got worse after the first 9/10 months my derm. upped my dose to 100mg twice a day(which seems super high), and that didn't even seem to have any effect. i am scared to go off it now though, in case my skin goes haywire. i also worry about the side effects even though i don't feel any different.
September 19, 2008
Pros:
It really seems to be helping
Cons:
still breaking out
It does work, but I have an appointment next week and I stil need some help.
Pros:
With insurance, it is cheap.