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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January 28, 2009

Pros:

Cheap
Internally changes hormonal balance, working from the inside out

Cons:

Length of time it takes for effectiveness

I have been on this for approximately three weeks, and the first week was fine, alot of the acne started to fade, but now my breakout is uncontrollable. I am having large cystic pimples on my forehead, which I never had before. It is red and fluidy. However, it has cleared up my left side of my face and that part is completely clear. I know that it has been only 3 weeks, but my forehead is scaring me. Did anyone have the same issues as me when they started taking spiro? I am on 100 mg and take doxcycline too. I also take fish oil, ACV, and drink lots of water. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts haesook77@[link removed]
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January 27, 2009

Pros:

So far all is well after 3 weeks of use

Cons:

A little dizziness and dehydration for the first week but now the dizziness is gone and I rarely feel dehydrated anymore as long as I sip water throughout the day.

I am 32 and still suffer from hormonal acne. I hate to jinx things, but so far so good. No initial breakout and skin seems to be doing much better. I am coming up on my first period since being on this and have only gotten one pimple when I normally get 4 or 5. I think I have only gotten about 5 pimples total since being on it, if that.I am just keeping my fingers crossed that it will continue working. I am only on 50mg right now and will possibly go up to 75 or 100 if needed after I have used it for a little longer.
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

Glowing skin. Maybe one to two zits in the month

Cons:

Need to be next to a bathroom

I have nothing but praise for this life saver! The first 4-5 months I was on 25 mg then 50 mg per day and I did not see any improvements. It got worst in the amount of breakouts but the cysts were not has uge as before. Although I was warned about the possibility of the acne getting worst before it got better, after five months, I almost gave up and changed dermatologist. The new doc recommended 100 mg per day - and was willing to up the dose if no effects were noticed. At the next follow-up visit, the breakouts stopped. And right now after 8 months on this new dosage, I don't feel I have to put all the topicals (Tazarac, Hydroquinone) to removed the old scars, and spots. I am very grateful for this medicine that took me from 12-15 outbreaks to 1-2 a month...For those who are not yet seeing results, consult you MD for a higher dose. Not sure what I would do w/o spiro when I attempt to be pregnant. I was told I would to stop the meds bef attempting to get pregnant.
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

Clearer skin in 1 month, NO MORE cysts, glowing skin, 100 mg generic pill per day. Dr. Reisz saved my life!!

Cons:

None

It is an amazing drug causing adrenal suppression, to decrease Androgens that produce the oil. I have been taking it for over 8 years now, and I am very happy that it works so well. I took 50 mg up until last year, had to increase to 100mg this year. Works like a charm for the cystic acne.
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January 26, 2009

Pros:

With insurance, it is cheap.

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.
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January 25, 2009

Pros:

After 6 weeks my face looks better than it has in years. I have no oily skin.

Cons:

At first I was so tired and dizzy but with in a month those symptoms went away. I am still dizzy at times but not much at all.

Spiro along with prayer has made my life GREAT! I have people asking me what I am doing, my skin looks so good. My face is more clear than it has been since I was in midle school. I am 20 years old and fought acne since I was 11! This is a miracle! It took time to work and yes it got much worse before it got better but I am so glad I hung on. I plan to continue this medication. I am only on 50 mg a day and it seems to be doing the trick. All of a sudden one morning I woke up and my face was clear and I see it improve almost hourly!
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January 23, 2009

Pros:

clear skin, less oil

Cons:

pee alot, some dryness in winter, can get dehydrated

I'm 26 and have been struggling with my acne since I was 13. I've tried it ALL - every kind of cream, washes, antibiotics, even 6 months on accutane - nothing helped. i sayed somewhat clear after the accutane course for about 8 months afterwhich my acne starting coming back. My derm put me on sprio and I've been on it 18 months - the results are amazing! Like nothing else i've tried - my skin looks so good I even get compliments now and then!! i'm on 50mg a day and stay about 90% clear during the month - i get maybe 2-4 small surface pimples a month, and they usually disapear within 3 days without a mark, they dont bother me enough to up my dose. it took about 4 months for FULL effect, so be patient! if you've tried everything, definetly give this a shot!
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January 23, 2009

Pros:

I've been using for one week...and have noticed a difference already.

Cons:

Urinate more frequently, and it seems that as soon as I eat...I have to ease toward the ladies room for a few minutes :( I also have experienced dizziness and I'm a little tired, but not exhausted...also a dry scalp and breast tenderness.

I am on 100mg a day and it seems to be working. I never had acne until now, and I am 25. Its all hormonal, that's what the Derm said....I tried ProActiv, and countless others for the past six months with no success. I have cyst like acne and it is very painful. Since I began taking this a little over a week ago, I have noticed VERY dry skin...but my moisturizer is taking care of it. If you take this med and it doesn't work, try Clyndimicin. It seems to work wonders for others that I know...I have also noticed my sun spots fading.. I am satisfied so far, but can't wait to see my skin actually clear up. I believe this will work and am willing to give it a fair chance.
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January 23, 2009

Pros:

no more cystic acne, less oil, glowing complexion

Cons:

terrible initial breakout

I posted about this medicine a few months ago, and I decided it's time to update. I started taking 100 mg in the morning in mid July, and I started taking Ortho-tri-Cyclen Lo at the same time. I noticed the effects of the birth control within the first month. My periods became so, so dependable and they weren't at all before. So that was great. The spiro didn't seem to make any difference until about a month and a half after I started. That's when the initial breakout began. This breakout lasted from late August through late November... so about 3 months of bad acne. It was alot of cysts that were mainly on my chin area, which is where hormonal breakouts usually are. Now it's been almost exactly 6 months and I'm clear! I went from having at least 5 pimples at all times to now having 1-2 per month. Every day is getting better, too! I'm THRILLED!! As far as side effects go, besides the initial breakout I had none at all. Period.
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January 20, 2009

Pros:

Well, it hasn't made my skin worse yet! (Knock on wood?) They say it takes time, so I am waiting patiently!

Cons:

You need to stay consistent with how much water you're drinking, it's so easy to get dehydrated. The only con I can complain about is the fact that it's severely drying my eyes to the point where it's hard to wear contacts.

I have PCOS and I'm taking Spiro for my acne and facial hair. Everyone warns that it may take a few months to work. So far, nothing has really changed acne-wise, I always have at least one or two flared up pimples on my face. I've noticed that my scars are getting lighter and my skin is beginning to get really dried up and I'm having to use my moisturizer more often. Breasts have been beginning to noticeably grow since I began taking the full 100mg once instead of 50 twice a day... Two things: 1. The "peeing often" went away in about a week. 2. I heard that men should not take this because it blocks androgen and can cause breast growth (something that I absolutely love about this, but I don't think men would appreciate it as much...)
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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:

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